This weekend’s Norwich City player watch took an unexpected turn, as Ralf Fahrmann was replaced by Michael McGovern during the early stages of a 2-0 loss at Crystal Palace. Here’s how both goalkeepers fared at Selhurst Park.
8 - Patrick Van Aanholt pushes forward and exchanges a one-two with Jordan Ayew but Ibrahim Amadou nudges the ball to Fahrmann and the keeper has to hurry a clearance away.
10 - Luka Milivojevic swings in a corner from the right but Fahrmann uses his height to claim above everyone, helping to settle any early nerves.
13 - Denies a rising Ayew shot. Todd Cantwell loses possession when trying to play a one-two with Kenny McLean, and Wilfried Zaha sets Ayew on the attack, Ben Godfrey is closing in so striker lashes an effort from the edge of the box and the Schalke loanee paws the ball down on the stretch.
17 - Scross sharply to prevent Godfrey's prod backwards going out for a corner.
21 - VAR check confirms Amadou had fouled James McArthur in the box, unnecessarily, and then Milivojevic blasts top right beyond Fahrmann's outstretched glove. Then disaster strikes as the German admits his groin problem has gotten the better of him, limping off with physio Chris Burton, looking disappointed, having a quick chat with Daniel Farke as he goes off.
22 - Replaced by Michael McGovern, with the Northern Ireland international making his Premier League debut at 35 years old - making his first league appearance for Norwich since April 2017.
45 - City are on top for the remainder of the first half, leaving McGovern with just routine kicking work to carry out. McLean gets an important touch on a Zaha low ball from the left to get the ball back to McGovern just before the break.
55 - Gives Amadou an encouraging pat on the head as he does well to thwart Ayew in the penalty area.
56 - Milivojevic delivers an arrowed corner from the left, McGovern just about tips the ball away but wasn't too convincing.
75 - Godfrey let's the ball run into the box and McGovern can claim easily and get City moving forward again.
81 - Godfrey closed down by Ayew in left-back position and McGovern has to hurry a cross away.
90+2 - Dives to his left but can't keep out Andros Townsend's low strike into the bottom corner, as Palace make sure of the win.
VERDICT: An encouraging start for Fahrmann before City's injury curse reared its ugly head again. Could be argued that Fahrmann was always an injury risk but the German will have been desperate for his Premier League opportunity. McGovern then offered a safe pair of hands, with steady kicking, but wasn't tested too much as Palace sat off and were happy for the visitors to control possession once they had the lead. Northern Irishman now looks likely to have another chance to rekindle his Canaries career, with Tim Krul and Fahrmann seemingly struggling to be fit for the home clash with Aston Villa.
- You can follow chief Norwich City reporter David Freezer on Twitter @davefreezer or on Facebook @DavidFreezer1
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