Norwich City Vs Sheffield Wednesday as Canaries beat relegated Owls 2-0
In a match billed as norwich city vs sheffield wednesday, Norwich City beat already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 at Carrow Road, with Mathias Kvistgaarden and Paris Maghoma scoring before half-time to leave Wednesday on an 11th successive defeat and Norwich up to 17th, eight points clear of the drop zone.
Kvistgaarden and Maghoma settle it before the break
Mathias Kvistgaarden and Paris Maghoma struck either side of the first half to put Philippe Clement’s side two up at the interval. Kvistgaarden eventually forced the opener after Seny Dieng kept out an Ali Ahmed point-blank effort and the Dane headed a loose ball off the bar before nodding the rebound over the line. Maghoma — whose previous goal for Norwich had come in the FA Cup — marked his first league start with a powerful left-footed finish after a slick turn that beat Dieng, and he curled narrowly past the far post moments later.
Toure leaves early with groin concern
Nine minutes of the contest passed — though the precise timing is unclear in the provided context — when Australia international Mohamed Toure went down clutching his groin while chasing a long ball from Jack Stacey and had to be withdrawn; Kvistgaarden was his replacement. Toure had arrived in the transfer window and scored five goals in four games since joining, and Norwich fans will be hoping his injury is not serious. Clement had previously removed Toure in the Birmingham City game to manage his minutes, and the manager faces fresh selection questions if Toure is ruled out for any length of time.
Norwich City Vs Sheffield Wednesday: Medic surprise and second-half management
Just past the hour mark Clement made a surprise change, withdrawing Kvistgaarden and sending on Jakov Medic — normally a centre-back — to lead the Norwich line. Medic, a Croatian who has played as a striker at junior level and as a centre forward in the German third tier, was described as offering a physical presence and a focal point despite not having the nimblest feet; a commentator noted his physique resembled that of a heavyweight boxer. Regular substitutions disrupted the flow in the second half and the match settled into a low-wattage affair, with Norwich unable to add a third.
Wednesday’s struggles on and off the pitch
Sheffield Wednesday suffered their 11th successive defeat and were shot-shy against a side that dominated possession. The visitors had received the blow of news earlier in the day that the James Bord consortium had pulled out of a deal to buy the club. Dominic Iorfa returned to the Wednesday back line for the first time since 4 January, but that defensive boost could not stop the defeat.
Key moments and defensive work
Wednesday had a number of chances after the break: Jamal Lowe fed Charlie McNeill on the right of the box but Kellen Fisher produced a superb diving block that deflected the shot just wide, and Joe Emery headed wide from a free-kick when that effort looked the visitors' best chance. As Norwich tried to reassert control, Dieng palmed away a fierce 25-yarder from Jacob Wright, keeping the clean sheet intact.
Squad issues and praise for Maghoma
Commentators and club staff noted Norwich made four changes from the side beaten by Birmingham City on Saturday, and squad management remains a theme: Jovon Makama is likely to miss the bulk of the run-in after foot surgery, and Josh Sargent’s protracted move to Toronto is set to be officially confirmed once the MLS complete their paperwork. Paris Maghoma drew praise for graceful movement and close control on his first Championship start and first league goal for the Canaries.
Philippe Clement reflected that Norwich knew they could not underestimate a team that had lost many close games, and he highlighted his side’s dominance of chances and possession, two good goals and other pleasing elements of the performance.
Fans at Carrow Road even broke into a spontaneous terrace song adapted from a tune once sung for an American player, and the crowd reacted strongly when Medic received the ball in the penalty area. The game leaves Norwich traveling to Leicester City next, while Sheffield Wednesday will host Southampton on Saturday.
