Blackburn did exactly what they had to do to exploit Norwich
Blackburn Rovers showed a maturity beyond their years to take full advantage of Norwich City’s plight.
The atmosphere around Carrow Road was dismal before kick-off with fans disillusioned about David Wagner’s reign. The Canaries had won one in nine matches going into the weekend with huge pressure building on the head coach.
Rovers knew a fast start would turn the home crowd on the players and the manager, just as it had at the end of Dean Smith’s reign when Roevrs won 2-0 in last December. That defeat prompted a change and Wagner’s first game was against Rovers in the FA Cup, ironically.
Well, another defeat might make Rovers his last opponents too as they piled on the misery. The home crowd was mutinous once Sam Szmodics had added to Tyrhys Dolan’s opener inside 15 minutes.
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Blackburn were fantastic and the quality of their football in the first half an hour was exceptional. Norwich, foolishly, tried to press high and left themselves vulnerable in transition. Between both boxes, Tomasson has an excellent side, that can play through a press and away from tight situations.
They did that continuously and then they were at the back four. Dolan’s movement to find space and then his first touch to exploit was excellent. The finish was ruthless.
The biggest compliment you can pay Szmodics is once he was one-vs-one with George Long, you never doubted he’d add his eighth of the season. Once the third goal went in, it was game over.
Andrew Moran showed his quality with a couple of lovely assists. The second, in particular, a first-time volleyed cross which found Szmodics at the back post for three. It was an intelligent run from the 28-year-old, who could’ve easily been offside had he moved too early into the huge space left by Norwich’s defence.
The combination in midfield of Sondre Tronstad and Adam Wharton was a lovely blend. Tronstad’s presence gave Wharton more freedom to advance with the ball and impact the final third. It released the shackles for the teenager.
