A tale of two cities ended all square as Norwich City squandered enough good chances to win several football matches. On a day when Xherdan Shaqiri made his eagerly anticipated Premier League debut, the unlikely sight of the Swiss international in a Stoke shirt was one of several highlights of a match that finished with many players on their knees suffering exhaustion. Both sets of supporters were warmly appreciative of their efforts.
A record-breaking £12m acquisition from Internazionale, Shaqiri began and ended the game on the right flank, worked judiciously in attack and defence and took just over 10 minutes to make his mark. A dim-witted handball from Robbie Brady, who was attempting to control a cross-field pass, gifted Stoke a free-kick. Shaqiri pinged the ball towards the far post where, having given Alex Tettey the slip, Mame Biram Diouf enjoyed the freedom of Carrow Road to steer his header into the bottom corner.
“I really enjoyed the weather,” joked an understandably rusty Shaqiri, who could be seen blowing out of his proverbial as early as the 70th minute. “I’m excited to be here. It was my first game for 90 minutes, it was good for me and for my fitness. Game by game it will be better. I am happy that I gave my first assist in my first game.”
The sweltering conditions prompted the referee Mike Dean to call an impromptu drinks reception near the technical areas after 26 minutes. Duly rehydrated, Norwich’s players restored parity as soon as play resumed. Their elixir-fuelled equaliser came from Russell Martin, who hooked a Nathan Redmond pass beyond Jack Butland after Stoke had repeatedly failed to clear the ball.
Their defenders could not argue they had not been warned: Martin and Redmond had combined seconds previously only for Butland, playing with a freshly broken index finger, to save splendidly from the central defender’s right-footed drive. Soon after, Diouf had another effort ruled out for offside, after sprinting on to a deft Marco Van Ginkel through ball to poke the ball past Ruddy from close range.
Whatever Norwich are putting in the drinks of their players appears to be working. The home side came roaring out of the traps after half-time and could feasibly have scored three goals within five minutes of the restart. Put through on goal with only Butland to beat, Cameron Jerome side-footed his diagonal effort horribly wide and promptly sank his head into his hands.
It was a pose aped by Wes Hoolahan soon after, the diminutive playmaker heading wide of the upright from close range when scoring looked easier. Next up to the plate was Graham Dorrans, whose right-foot drive from distance towards the bottom corner at least forced the man of the match, Butland, to make one of several excellent second-half saves. The Stoke goalkeeper was called into action again on the hour mark, stretching every sinew to tip a goal-bound Redmond daisy-cutter around his post for a corner as Norwich ratcheted up the pressure.
Norwich ended the second half as they had begun it, forcing another two marvellous saves from Butland. Jonny Howson’s low drive from distance was tipped out for a corner, from which the goalkeeper reacted well to keep out a Jerome effort from point-blank range.
Despite the constant menacing threat of Diouf up front, Stoke will feel they got out of jail. With a little more finesse up front, Norwich could have won at a canter. Those predicting relegation for Alex Neil’s side may need to revisit their crystal balls. On Shaqiri’s unpredictable journey, it is next stop Luton Town.
