Here is Paddy’s verdict on David Wagner’s Norwich City, who are rapidly becoming the ‘great entertainers’ with another action-packed away triumph under the German. 

Tim Krul      6 

Miscued clearance dropped to Gustavo Hamer inside his own penalty area but dropped on the shot. The flight of Jamie Allen’s sliced half-volley left him rooted for Coventry’s lifeline.

No chance either with the power of Kasey Palmer’s whack in a madcap six minute spell. Claimed Hamer’s swerving free kick from distance. Much quieter second half, where the premium was moving the point of City’s attacks with the ball at his feet. 

•  Max Aarons    6 

Found himself outnumbered aerially at the far post for the knockdown despatched by Allen. Failed to apply a firm connection to Kieran Dowell’s lovely stood up chip to the back post in the 53rd minute.

Front foot again, but without the sharpness of his end product that brought two assists at Preston.

Andrew Omobamidele       6 

Handful trying to deal with Coventry’s star man, Viktor Gyokeres. Beaten too easily on the byline by the Swedish international but had team mates in reserve.

Prior to that not able to get out quickly enough when the Swede swivelled for a shooting chance that was eventually finished by Palmer. Showed good awareness to track back and cut out a Gyokeres’ low cross in Coventry’s best spell.

Grant Hanley (C)     6 

Appeared in real time from a distance Hanley had got the decisive touch to Gabby Sara’s inswinging early corner. Television replays confirmed Michael Rose’s boot diverted the ball past his own keeper, Ben Wilson.

Rolled easily by Gyokeres in the right hand channel in the first half, but Andrew Omobamidele was well-positioned to mop up. All about concentration levels after the interval.

Dimi Giannoulis    5 

David Wagner made a change at the break, but was keen to stress afterwards the problems ran much deeper from left to right as to why Norwich ceded control. Up against Brooke Norton-Cuffy, and able assisted by Fankaty Dabo, the Greek’s defensive instincts were tested.

Should possibly sense the danger quicker when the duo combined at a quick throw in routine to hook the ball across for Allen. Was outstripped by Norton-Cuffy down the right in the move that led to Palmer’s slot.

One loose pass too many outside his own area five minutes prior to the break was the signal for Sam McCallum to warm up. Best offensive work came four minutes in when he darted between two and rolled in Dowell.

Kenny McLean     7 

Made his trademark near post move on a Norwich corner but although he failed to make firm contact did cause enough confusion for Grant Hanley to challenge Rose for the opener. Good in his own box to cut out a Norton-Cuffy cross.

Aimless ball straight at Dabo prompted an immediate apology, albeit the Coventry defender rolled his pass out of play.

Seems to be relishing the responsibility to drop deep into this Norwich backline to allow both full backs greater freedom to take up more advanced starting positions.

•  Gabby Sara    7 

An assist of sorts when Rose diverted his corner past Wilson. Slammed a fifth minute free kick against the home wall. Clinical clip with the outside of his foot bent the ball into Teemu Pukki’s path to produce a cut back finished by Josh Sargent.

Intelligent link up with Dowell, before curling wide from 20 yards. Pinpoint long range diagonal arrowed at Dimi Giannoulis, who lost out in a physical tussle with Dabo. Cut inside in the 51st minute but dragged a 20 yard shot wide of the near.

Sloppy 10 minute spell in the second half when he gave away possession on more than one occasion. But later teed up Pukki for a big chance. No doubt carving out his niche in this Wagner set up.

Kieran Dowell      8 

Proved Preston was no flash in the pan. Carried on where he left off. Both in terms of his quality on the ball and his appetite for work off it. When he gets on the half-turn in those central pockets it spells danger for opponents.

Fed Pukki four minutes in, but the Finn was crudely upended. Threaded a simple pass for Onel Hernandez to eventually finish. Offered himself as the wall for Gabby Sara to try his luck from range. Another driving run in the 64th minute before shovelling the ball into Pukki’s path, who saw his shot blocked.

But his third goal in two games arrived a minute later. Holding his position to collect McCallum’s cut back, then the quick feet to lose Rose and fashion a chance to whip home a close range strike on his left.

Josh Sargent    7 

Double figures for the Championship season when he sidefooted Pukki’s cut back through both Norton-Cuffy and Dabo.

Showcased his running power when he collected a pass from Giannoulis and slalomed past three, before slipping it wider to Max Aarons. 

Onel Hernandez    8 

A first league goal since August 30. Gathered Dowell’s ball, worked a shooting chance on his right but Wilson should do better to keep out his low, right footed effort. Drew Wilson again in the 28th minute to race onto Pukki’s pass, but his rising shot clipped the bar.

Led the counter in the 50th minute only to roll the ball behind Sargent. Drove infield again three minutes later, and unleashed a right footed effort that thudded the base of Wilson’s near post.

Teemu Pukki    7 

No goal but influential again with his intelligent running and razor sharp movement. Clipped by the Coventry backline as he sensed an opportunity to run in behind onto Dowell’s slip pass.

Composure to time his run onto Sara’s flick, and then a reverse ball from the byline into a dangerous area for the unmarked Sargent.

Freed Hernandez to clip the ball against the woodwork. Maybe one touch too many when he was crowded out from Dowell’s precise touch. Through with Wilson to beat in the 79th minute, but the Coventry keeper won the battle of wits.

Subs 

• Sam McCallum (for Giannoulis, 45)          7 

Checked the influence of both Dabo and Norton-Cuffy within a generally more cohesive second half in possession from Norwich. Fortunate ricochet dropped from Sargent’s pass but he did superbly to pick out Dowell to seal the victory.

• Adam Idah (for Sargent, 66)          5

• Marcelino Nunez (for Hernandez, 66)          5

Gave away a square ball shortly after his arrival inside his own half, but Gyokeres’ shot deflected over.

• Jacob Sorensen (for Pukki, 87)          n/a

• Liam Gibbs (for Aarons, 90)          n/a