Norwich City 0-1 Bristol City: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral's post-match review of Norwich City 0-1 Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday, 18 October 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Norwich City's struggles continued as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Bristol City, marking their fourth loss in five games. The result was not entirely surprising given Norwich's recent form, which included losses to Ipswich Town and West Bromwich Albion. Despite dominating possession, Norwich failed to convert their control into goals, a recurring theme in their recent matches. Bristol City, on the other hand, managed to end their own inconsistent run with a crucial away win, snapping a streak that included a loss and two draws.

The match's decisive moment came in the 73rd minute when Bristol City scored the only goal of the game. This late strike was enough to secure the three points for the visitors, who had previously struggled to find the net consistently. For Norwich, the defeat is a blow to their confidence, especially at home where they've now lost three of their last five. Bristol City's resilience and ability to capitalise on limited opportunities will be a boost as they look to climb higher in the Championship standings.

The statistics from the match highlight a stark contrast between possession and effectiveness. Norwich City enjoyed 61% of the ball compared to Bristol City's 39%, yet it was the visitors who emerged victorious. Bristol City's nine corners to Norwich's three suggest they were more threatening from set pieces, which ultimately played a role in their goal. The yellow card count was relatively even, with Norwich receiving two and Bristol three, indicating a competitive but not overly aggressive game.

Despite Norwich's dominance in possession, their inability to translate this into scoring opportunities is evident in the corner count. Bristol City's higher number of corners and their success in converting one of these into a goal underscores their efficiency. The successful dribbles percentage was close, with Norwich at 42% and Bristol at 40%, showing both teams were somewhat effective in individual duels but lacked the final touch in the attacking third.

The key moment of the match came in the 73rd minute when Bristol City scored the decisive goal. This late strike shifted the momentum and ultimately decided the game's outcome. Norwich City, despite their possession advantage, were unable to respond to this setback, highlighting their struggles in front of goal.

The goal in the 73rd minute was a testament to Bristol City's patience and tactical discipline. They capitalised on a set-piece opportunity, which had been a recurring theme throughout the match. For Norwich, this moment was a missed opportunity to maintain their home form, as they failed to create a significant response after conceding.

Norwich City lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Vladan Kovačević in goal and a backline of Jack Stacey, Jakov Medic, Harry Darling, and Jeffrey Schlupp. The midfield was anchored by P. Mattsson and Kenny McLean, with Matej Jurasek, Emiliano Marcondes, and Oscar Schwartau supporting striker Josh Sargent. The lineup showed no major surprises, but the team's inability to score despite their formation and possession suggests a need for tactical adjustments.

Substitutions were made in an attempt to change the game's course, with Norwich making four changes throughout the match. However, these alterations did not yield the desired impact, as the team struggled to break down Bristol City's defense. The performance of the starting lineup, particularly in the attacking third, will be a point of concern for the coaching staff moving forward.

Bristol City opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Radek Vitek in goal and a back three of George Tanner, Rob Dickie, and Rob Atkinson. The midfield was comprised of Ross McCrorie, Adam Randell, Zak Vyner, and Neto Borges, with Scott Twine and Anis Mehmeti supporting striker Emil Riis. The lineup was effective in maintaining a solid defensive structure while allowing for counter-attacking opportunities.

The impact of the lineup was evident in their ability to score a crucial goal late in the game. The substitutions made by Bristol City were minimal, with only two changes, suggesting confidence in the starting eleven. The performance of the team, particularly in their defensive organization and set-piece execution, will be a positive takeaway as they look to build on this result.

Emil Riis is Coral's Man of the Match for his pivotal role in Bristol City's victory. Despite not scoring, Riis provided the assist for the winning goal and created one big chance, showcasing his importance in the attacking third. His key pass was instrumental in breaking down Norwich's defense, highlighting his ability to influence the game's outcome.

Recent Championship matches:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Bristol City (H)
• Loss: 1-3 vs Ipswich Town (A)
• Loss: 0-1 vs West Bromwich Albion (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Stoke City (A)
• Loss: 2-3 vs Wrexham (H)

Recent Championship matches:

• Win: 1-0 vs Norwich City (A)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Queens Park Rangers (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Ipswich Town (H)
• Draw: 0-0 vs Preston North End (A)
• Loss: 1-3 vs Oxford United (H)

Sitting in 20th place with 8 points, Norwich City will face Derby County, who are just below them in 21st with the same number of points, on October 21, 2025 at 19:45. This result against Bristol City will likely prompt a reassessment of their tactics, especially in converting possession into goals, as they look to climb out of the relegation zone.

With a solid 6th place standing and 16 points, Bristol City will take on Southampton, who are in 15th with 12 points, on October 21, 2025 at 20:00. This victory will boost their confidence as they aim to maintain their position in the top half of the table and push for a playoff spot.

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