The EFL was back in action on New Year’s Day, with Josh Sargent coming off the bench to rescue a point for Norwich. Elsewhere, Haji Wright continued his goal-scoring form in Coventry City’s win, which now puts them in the eighth position.
Norwich City 1-1 Southampton
Before Sargent’s lengthy injury, Norwich was top of the league and seemed to be one of the favorites to challenge for the title. However, as it stands, they’re in 13th position, five points off a playoff spot. It’s still early days, but with Sargent back, it’s time to grind out the second half of the season. The USMNT international came off the bench in the 66th minute and scored the equalizer within just 11 minutes on the pitch.
Despite maintaining control of the ball, the Saints couldn’t capitalize, especially in the first half. It wasn’t until the 25th minute that Angus Gunn faced a threat, with Taylor Hardwood-Bellis’ header aimed straight at the Canaries’ keeper. Norwich seldom had possession in the initial half.
The deadlock broke in the 70th minute as Walker-Peters skillfully evaded his marker, reached the byline, and delivered a ball for Armstrong to effortlessly score from close range.
In response, Norwich’s Head Coach David Wagner made two changes, substituting out a defender, in Grant Hanley, for more attacking presence up front. This move paid off immediately, with Jonathan Rowe assisting Sargent, who skillfully curled the ball around Gavin Bazunu to secure his fourth goal of the campaign. Empowered by the equalizer, Norwich nearly clinched the victory late on with a header from Rowe, but both teams settled for a point.
Middlesbrough 1-3 Coventry City
Haji Wright is in excellent form, registering his fifth goal contribution in his previous four matches. While he didn’t have the greatest start to his new club with many missed sitters, he is now demonstrating why Coventry splashed the cash on the former Antalyaspor forward.
The Coventry duo of Haji Wright and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto continued to impress as both found the back of the net once more. Sakamoto, the Japanese midfielder, extended his recent goal contribution tally to six in five games, showcasing his prolific prowess by netting in both halves for the in-form Sky Blues.
Middlesbrough took the initial lead, but it was the 27-year-old Japanese player who equalized for the visitors in the 37th minute with a powerful finish amid a crowd of players.
Haji Wright later directed Ellis Simms’ shot over the line, securing his eighth goal of the season and giving the Sky Blues the lead in the second period. Sakamoto then nodded in Jake Bidwell’s cross, ensuring their unbeaten streak extended to seven matches.
Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Cardiff City
QPR, with Reggie Cannon, is on a horrible run of form, having gone without a win in their previous six matches, including four losses and two draws. Additionally, the west Londoners have only scored twice in this run.
Dimitrios Goutas rose the highest and duly nodded Joe Ralls’ inswinging corner into the bottom corner of Asmir Begovic’s net in the 16th minute.
With the hosts desperately struggling to threaten, the QPR fans grew increasingly restless as Cardiff remained intent on inflicting further misery on the team who possessed the worst home record in the Championship but the score will stay at 1-0 at the break.
QPR levelled proceedings in the 52nd minute as Rayan Kolli’s looping cross found Paul Smyth who volleyed home from close range at the back post.
All hopes were lost for the west London club as Ryan Wintle delivered a teasing corner into the QPR box and, with Begovic caught out by the flight of the ball, Perry Ng headed into the net in the 74th minute and that’ll be that. QPR drops to 23rd place in the Championship, which is second to last place.
Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Bradford City
Bradford, with Norwich City loanee Jonathan Tomkinson, saw their unbeaten run stretching from late November come to an end after a hard-fought battle, leaving them empty-handed. The only goal came from the American’s demise.
Crewe took the lead in the 13th minute as Chris Long drew a foul from Jonathan Tomkinson in the box. Long then confidently converted the ensuing penalty, deceiving Harry Lewis.
The home team resiliently protected their lead while Bradford sought possession, coming close to earning a point, including Andy Cook hitting the bar with a late header. However, that penalty conceded by Tomkinson proved to be the deciding factor of the game.
Notes:
Lynden Gooch missed out on the Stoke City squad that drew 0-0 with second-place Ipswich Town due to injury.
Duane Holmes was an unused sub in Preston North End’s 2-0 loss against Sunderland.
Charlie Kelman was an unused sub in QPR’s 2-1 home loss against Cardiff.
Daryl Dike is ever so close to making a full recovery for West Brom.
Vaughn Covil and Kristian Fletcher didn’t take part in any matches.
Follow Yanks Abroad on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for news and views on Americans playing the beautiful game worldwide and the U.S. national team.
