Josh Sargent kept his goal-scoring form going for Norwich City in their win over Portsmouth, while Haji Wright’s spot kick was among the goalfest in Coventry City’s thriller over Derby County.
Portsmouth 1-2 Norwich City
The Canaries struck early in the game and held firm to claim all three points against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Josh Sargent played 75 minutes for the team, completing 67 percent passing, winning six duels, and putting two shots on target.
The visitors took the lead six minutes into the contest when Marcelino Nunez’s free-kick from the right side found Harry Darling. The defender was left unmarked to head the ball with ease.
Norwich doubled their lead eight minutes later with another set piece. Darling’s long throw-in was headed towards the goal by Jose Cordoba. The ball was still up for grabs, and Sargent would be the first to get there and head it into the back of the net.
Portsmouth was in an uphill battle, but they found a lifeline when the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty. Florian Bianchini was fouled in the area by Kellen Fisher. Colby Bishop took the spot-kick, but it was well-saved by Norwich goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic.
The missed penalty gave the hosts another chance to cut the deficit in the 84th minute when Adrian Segecic’s strike from outside the area beat Kovacevic.
Any other attempts were thwarted as the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the game.
Norwich now sits in 11th place in the standings.
Derby County 3-5 Coventry City
Eight total goals were scored on the day, but it would be the Sky Blues to come away with the win over Derby County at Pride Park Stadium.
Haji Wright started and played 90 minutes, completing 67 percent passing, winning three duels, and putting two shots on target.
Scoring started in the seventh minute when Coventry’s Bobby Thomas was fortunate to run onto a free-kick to steer the ball past Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
The Rams leveled the score five minutes later with a set piece of their own. Callum Elder’s left-footed shot from the right side hit the far side of the goal.
The referee gave Coventry a chance to retake the lead when he awarded them a penalty when Dion Sanderson tripped up Ephron Mason-Clark. Wright was given the spot-kick duty and he converted it in the 25th minute.
The visitors then conceded a penalty afterward when Thomas handled the ball in the 18-yard box with his raised arm. Carlton Morris put his shot away to tie up the score.
The hosts took the lead five minutes into the second half through Ebou Adams. Elder’s long throw-in was poorly cleared from the area, and the midfielder was able to pounce and get his shot past the goalkeeper.
Derby was ahead, but they didn’t expect to get hit by Coventry with three goals in seven minutes to steal all three points.
Brandon Thomas-Asante struck first in the 72nd minute when Thomas’ headed effort hit the frame of the goal, which allowed the Ghanaian forward to score from close range.
Mason-Clark gave the Sky Blues the lead again in the 75th minute when he headed in a cross from Milan van Ewijk. Victor Torp sealed the game in the 79th minute after his Dutch teammate teed him up for a shot to the far right of the goal.
Coventry claims fifth place in the standings after two games.
Notes
In other games in the Championship, George Campbell played the full 90 for West Bromwich Albion as they held on for the 3-2 win over Wrexham.
Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough remained undefeated following their 3-0 win over Millwall.
Charlton settled for a 0-0 tie with Bristol City, with Charlie Kelman playing 60 minutes for the Addicks.
In League One, Lynden Gooch scored a goal for Huddersfield Town as they fell in a narrow 3-2 defeat to Blackpool.
Follow Yanks Abroad on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for news and views on Americans playing the beautiful game worldwide and the U.S. national teams.
