Norwich City 1-1 Stoke City

Facebook
Twitter
Gmail
Yahoo Mail

By Tim Oscroft
BBC Sport

Norwich fought back from an early deficit to claim a hard-earned point at home to Stoke.

Mame Biram Diouf headed in debutant Xherdan Shaqiri's free-kick in the 13th minute to put Stoke in the lead.

But Canaries defender Russell Martin shot through the legs of Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland to level the scores before half-time.

Brilliant saves from Butland after the break thwarted Graham Dorrans, Nathan Redmond and Cameron Jerome.

Relive how Norwich v Stoke unfolded here.

Catch up with all today's action and reaction.

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Canaries' missed chances frustrate Neil

Substitute Bradley Johnson wasted a fine chance to win it for the hosts in stoppage time, seconds after Joselu had blazed over from close range for Stoke, leaving Norwich still seeking a first home win in this season's Premier League.

The visitors, inspired by Â£12m record signing Shaqiri, were much the better side in the first half but Norwich's second half domination was yielded nothing mainly through Butland's excellence.

How did Shaqiri settle?

The final game of a suspension imposed while still with Inter Milan meant that Stoke fans had to be patient before seeing their most expensive player in action.

Xherdan Shaqiri provided the assist for Mame Biram Diouf and pulled the strings for Stoke throughout

But it was worth the wait, and Shaqiri's first meaningful action in the Premier League was to provide a pinpoint free-kick that the stooping Diouf converted.

Accurate passing and quick feet were also on display for much of the first half, but a combination of close attention from Norwich and a lack of recent action may have contributed to a quiet second 45 minutes.

Butland for England?

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Hughes praises 'outstanding' Butland

Butland assumed the mantle of Stoke's first-choice keeper following Asmir Begovic's exit to Chelsea in the summer, and his excellent display at Carrow Road led team-mate Redmond to call for his inclusion in the England squad.

On this evidence the 22-year-old should firm up a place in Roy Hodgson's plans as understudy to Joe Hart.

He reacted impressively to pull off fine saves within seconds of each other, stopping Dorrans and Jerome towards the end of the game.

Man of the match

Jack Butland pulled off four brilliant saves in the second half to preserve the status quo and earn his side a point

The stats you need to know

Brady created more goalscoring chances than any other Premier League player today (six).
Redmond has had a hand in 10 goals in his last eight league games – five goals, five assists.
Since the start of last season no player has netted more headed goals than Diouf with five, level with four other players.
Stoke have collected just four points from 21 available in their last seven PL away games (D4 L3).

'Butland outstanding for Stoke'

BBC Sport's Kevin Kilbane on Final Score:

"We saw an outstanding performance from Jack Butland today. He made some incredible saves – and the one when he denied Cameron Jerome, with the ball already behind him, was brilliant. He was the man of the match for me – he's got Stoke the point today."

Manager reaction

Norwich City's Alex Neil:

"It's disappointing not to win. We had all the chances in the game but I can't complain with how we played.

"We were great and Jack Butland made some fantastic saves. There is no question that we deserve to be at this level."

Norwich's Robbie Brady was central to his side's chances against Norwich

Stoke boss Mark Hughes:

"I am happy. We had a decent amount of play in the first half but didn't create a great deal today, the conditions took the edge off our game.

"In the end we are grateful for a number of saves from Jack Butland who was outstanding today. At the moment Jack has a broken finger as well so that shows the strength of character he has.

"Xherdan Shaqiri will get better the longer he is with us but you can see that he will be a key player for us. He hasn't played much but the 90 minutes today will do him the world of good."

Social media reaction

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (5)

Norwich City

01 Ruddy
02 Whittaker Booked
05 Martin Booked
06 Bassong Booked
12 Brady
22 Redmond
18 Dorrans
27 Tettey Booked
08 Howson (O'Neil – 86' )
14 Hoolahan (Johnson – 77' )
10 Jerome

Substitutes

03 Wisdom
04 Johnson
07 Grabban
11 Hooper
13 Rudd
24 R Bennett
28 O'Neil

Stoke City

01 Butland
08 Johnson
20 Cameron
05 Muniesa
03 Pieters Booked
15 Van Ginkel (Adam – 79' )
06 Whelan
22 Shaqiri
14 Afellay (Ireland – 57' )
10 Arnautovic (Joselu – 57' )
18 Diouf

Substitutes

07 Ireland
11 Joselu
12 Wilson
16 Adam
24 Given
25 Crouch
26 Wollscheid

Ref: Mike Dean Att: 26,771

Match Stats

Possession

Shots

On target

Corners

Fouls

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Norwich City 1, Stoke City 1.

90:00 +4:07 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Norwich City 1, Stoke City 1.

90:00 +2:20

Corner, Norwich City. Conceded by Marc Muniesa.

90:00 +2:17

Attempt blocked. Graham Dorrans (Norwich City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

90:00 +1:33

Corner, Norwich City. Conceded by Marc Muniesa.

90:00 +1:30

Attempt blocked. Cameron Jerome (Norwich City) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bradley Johnson with a cross.

90:00 +0:13

Attempt missed. Bradley Johnson (Norwich City) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Robbie Brady following a set piece situation.