While struggling heavily in the Premier League, Norwich City took a much needed win against Championship side Preston on the road. Even if the opposition was not exactly top notch, the win served as a great confidence boost for the team really needing it. On top of getting their first win in nine games and more than a month, Norwich was able to blood a couple of players out of match fitness and provide some rest for the workhorses during the busy season. Norwich boss Daniel Farke can be happy with what he saw from his team, despite letting the home team climb into the game in the closing minutes. The 2-4 victory on the road might prove crucial going forward as every win is likely to give the squad faith in survival in the Premier League.
Norwich’s last season in Championship saw the team lose 3-1 at Preston and many players had a bone to pick with the hosts. While not a priority to the team fighting for survival, FA Cup provides a good window of opportunity for fringe players as well as youngster looking to break through and serves as an excellent match practice for tougher battles ahead. Daniel Farke approached the match with caution and decided to rest some of the key players, such as Teemu Pukki, Alex Tettey and Emiliano Buendia, handing the starts to Adam Idah, Moritz Leitner and Onel Hernandez. The offensive changes seemed to pay off early on, as energetic Idah took the visitors 0-1 up after only two minutes. Hernandez then added the second on 28th minute and Idah banged in another on 38th, seemingly finishing off Preston’s chase already at the half.
While it was Norwich’s first half, they were not as commanding as could’ve been expected and Preston built on that in the second half. They managed to pull one off early, with Billy Bodin hitting the net on 48th minute, but Norwich soon retaliated with a fourth. Adam Idah finished off his hat-trick from the penalty spot and effectively ended Preston’s comeback hopes. Joshua Harrop gave the hosts another lifeline at the end on 84th minute, but this time Norwich never looked like they would drop the win – as they have so many times in the Premier League.
The third round win sends Norwich to top 32 in the FA Cup, which will be drawn on 7th January. In Premier League, Norwich continues their journey against Manchester United on 11th of January at Old Trafford. Don’t miss out on Dafabet’s Norwich City prediction challenge in order to win weekly free bets.
