Wigan Athletic vs Norwich City report: Norwich City Match report

In the end, a rather controversial penalty ended up being the difference-maker, but the game still ended 1-1 between Norwich City and Wigan Athletic. The hosts took the lead in the first half through the aforementioned penalty.

It separated a rather intense first half, between the two sides and it proved to be the decider for a large portion of the second half. The game, despite the penalty, lacked real penetration from either side in either half, with both sides getting just half chances.

For Norwich City, that proved to make a big difference and they took full advantage. As predicted, they had the lion’s share of possession, dominating the game, leaving the hosts to play on the counter.

However, despite all their possession, Wigan Athletic had more shots, more successful aerial duels, more crosses, fewer blocked shots, and more interceptions. It showed just how good the Latics were and more importantly, how complacent Norwich City was.

Chances eventually arrived, and the Canaries missed one of the biggest ones through Teemu Pukki. Onel Hernandez did well to keep the ball after some dogged defending, and played a one-two with Cantwell, who didn’t control it. 

Luckily, Pukki was on scene but the former Schalke man’s shot was well blocked by Robinson. Things just went bad from there on for the Canaries, with them struggling to get their passing game going.

When they finally did, Pukki got his second chance of the game and the striker had a great chance. But he failed to get a foot on the ball after a deflected cross from Marco Stiepermann. After that, chances came at will, with both Norwich City and Wigan Athletic getting their turns to take a pop on either goal.

The penalty soon arrived, with Sam Morsy’s shot taking a deflection via Ben Godfrey. However, the referee thought otherwise and awarded a penalty despite the fact that Godfrey blocked the ball with his leg and it deflected onto his hand.

Reece James stepped up to confidently put it past Tim Krul to take the lead. The second half was more of the same but only this time, Norwich City somehow managed to get their game off without a hitch.

While the Latics did give them a few issues, it was all Daniel Farke and his men, with them getting a few chances to grab the equaliser. Onel Hernandez had the opening shot but it was well saved. Pukki got the second one and again, it was well saved by Walton.

However, the best chance of the half fell to Wigan Athletic after Norwich City’s half-hearted appeals for a penalty. The Latics moved the ball with finesse and precision but failed to make the most of it. They paid for that as Teemu Pukki scored.

The 28-year-old made an excellent run and opened up his body just enough to guide it past Walton. That was the last chance of the game for Norwich City, with Wigan Athletic coming the closest with a disallowed goal.

While it was rightly done so for offside, the Latics looked more likely to find the winning goal but eventually, time ran out.

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For Norwich City, it means that they need just six points from their last four games to be confirmed as Champions. It would give them a chance to star in the Premier League and that is some achievement.

Here’s what a few Norwich City fans had to say: