Our latest Norwich City player watch followed the fortunes of Todd Cantwell as the academy product was given a chance to shine during last night’s 2-2 draw with Reading, as Emi Buendia three-game suspension began.
It was the 21-year-old midfielder’s first start since the 1-1 draw at West Brom in January, here’s how his evening unfolded...
4 – Picks up possession from Max Aarons on the edge of the box and slips a lovely pass through to Onel Hernandez in the right channel but offside flag goes up as the Cuban tests the keeper.
8 – Good burst into space to take a pass from Marco Stiepermann on the right but Royals defender Tyler Blackett steals the ball.
9 – Drops wide on the right and finds Stiepermann, Teemu Pukki can’t get a proper header on the cross. Soon after, Aarons’ cross from the right bounces around the box and Cantwell shows good desire to claim, tees up Stiepermann on the edge of the box but German can’t squeeze a shot in.
11 – Stiepermann finds him on the edge of the box, turns wide to Aarons nicely, they link well and Aarons is brought down out wide. Kenny McLean swings in the free-kick but Ben Godfrey can’t head in at the back post.
14 – Great desire to close down Liam Moore as Ovie Ejaria tries to keep an attack alive, doesn’t quite get the ball cleanly but Reading are wasteful.
16 – McLean gets a free-kick wrong, Godfrey finds Cantwell though, who keeps the move alive with a pass with the outside of his boot. Soon after robs Ejaria and Stiepermann is able to win a corner.
18 – McLean gets first corner wrong but volleys across and Cantwell tries to thump dropping ball through a crowded box but shot is blocked.
22 – More good energy closing down and found by McLean, pokes through to Stiepermann who eventually forces the ball through to Hernandez but keeper Emiliano Martinez wins the race.
23 – Nearly catches Chris Gunter late and relieved to see Meite is offside chasing ball through.
24 – Too much on a pass to Aarons in space on the right to concede a throw.
30 – Stiepermann misplaces a pass to Cantwell, Mo Barrow beats Christoph Zimmermann on the right and crosses, Yakou Meite pokes into the roof of the net over Krul from close range to claim a 1-0 lead.
31 – Pass doesn’t find Stiepermann, cut out by Moore but soon after Aarons plays him down the right, curls a cross over that Matt Miazga nods on, Lewis keeps alive and Stiepermann blasts on the volley but Martinez dives to his left to claim.
35 – Zimmermann controls a clearance on his thigh awkwardly but Cantwell claims and spreads left to Jamal Lewis, slightly over-hit and the left-back wins a throw.
37 – McLean gets up well to beat Blackett to a goal-kick, Cantwell finds Stiepermann and pushes forward, links well with Aarons, who back-heels McLean into the box and the Scot’s low cross is turned just wide by Pukki at the near post.
39 – CHANCE – Aarons beats Blackett for pace, Moore nudges away and Cantwell meets on the volley but lovely, controlled strike is just over with the keeper scrambling.
42 – Moves central to collect McLean’s pass and sets Aarons away on the right, who can’t quite win a corner.
43 – Aarons loses possession so Cantwell charges back but can’t tackle Meite cleanly, Tom Trybull fouls him in next attempt to prevent a counter.
45 – McLean corner, Stiepermann can’t quite meet with his head, Cantwell heads back in to the danger zone but it’s headed clear.
HT 0-1
49 – Drives forward but crowded out by Ejaria and Blackett.
52 – Fouled by Lewis Baker as he turns away after receiving pass from Trybull.
54 – Tracks back to help Aarons and blocks Meite’s cross out for a throw.
55 – Lovely touch to nick a long ball from Baker away from Blackett but doesn’t get a throw.
57 – Groans from the crowd as tries to force a ball into the box and concedes possession.
59 – Dallies on pass from McLean and Baker is furious to have a free-kick given for bringing him down.
69 – Really alert to nip in and win the ball to allow Trybull to start an attack.
70 – Replaced by Jordan Rhodes
VERDICT: Big opportunity for the Dereham youngster in Buendia’s absence and put in a decent display before tiring, but couldn’t unpick the stubborn visiting defence.
Didn’t quite find the pockets of space around the edge of the box to create the problems that Buendia does, certainly put in the effort though.
RATING: 6 out of 10
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