Wolves 0-1 Norwich: Player ratings as Canaries seal nervy victory
By Tom Gott
Norwich had to ride their luck at times but managed to secure a nervy 1-0 victory over Wolves to book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
The game didn't exactly get off to the fastest pace. Adam Idah had the game's first chance after 15 minutes, but his strike was saved comfortably by John Ruddy in the Wolves net.
Norwich looked the most dangerous in the first half, despite barely seeing any of the ball. Idah saw another tame effort saved by Ruddy, and the Canaries' breakthrough came on the stroke of half time. Kenny McLean got his head on to a Billy Gilmour free-kick and sent his effort looping into the back of the net with the final kick of the first half.
The tempo picked up in the second half and Wolves came close to snatching an equaliser. Daniel Podence did well to control a cross but his scruffy effort came back off the post and into the grateful gloves of Michael McGovern.
Wolves pressed and pressed and pressed, but it was Norwich who had the next real chance. With five minutes to go, Ruddy pulled out an excellent save to deny Kieran Dowell, who really should have done better.
For all their efforts, Wolves just didn't have enough about them, allowing Norwich to book their place in the next round.
Wolves player ratings vs Norwich
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
John Ruddy (GK) - 6/10 - Made some nice saves from Idah in the first half and a glorious stop late on, but a few moments of uncertainty nearly cost his side.
Max Kilman (CB) - 6/10 - Some excellent passing but didn't always deal well with Idah.
Conor Coady (CB) - 6/10 - Made a few long passes but, like Kilman, wasn't totally on his game at the back.
Toti Gomes (CB) - 7/10 - Composed in possession and against Idah. Really impressive. Didn't deserve to be taken off.
2. Midfielders
Nelson Semedo (RM) - 7/10 - Energetic down the right wing. Didn't get nearly enough help from those around him. An excellent challenge to deny Rashica late on.
Leander Dendoncker (CM) - 3/10 - Made some good forward runs but that's literally it.
Joao Moutinho (CM) - 5/10 - Controlled possession well but lacked the cutting edge going forward.
Ruben Neves (CM) - 5/10 - A really, really poor first half but rediscovered his confidence after the break. Looked dangerous driving forwards.
Rayan Ait-Nouri (LM) - 5/10 - Another who improved after the break. Some really nice dribbles but didn't always make the right decision in the final third.
3. Forwards
Daniel Podence (ST) - 6/10 - Wolves' best forward but he's not getting any credit after an awful dive in the first half.
Fabio Silva (ST) - 3/10 - Tried to get involved but couldn't figure out how. Some really disappointing movement and control.
4. Substitutes
Raul Jimenez (ST) - 6/10
Chiquinho (RW) - 6/10
Norwich player ratings vs Wolves
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Michael McGovern (GK) - 6/10 - Didn't really have to work too hard and dealt well with everything that came his way.
Sam Byram (RB) - 6/10 - Starting to look a lot sharper these days. Kept up with Ait-Nouri and Podence pretty well.
Grant Hanley (CB) - 7/10 - Dealt with Wolves' increased pressure fairly well. Should be proud of his effort.
Ben Gibson (CB) - 7/10 - Did well enough in the air.
Brandon Williams (LB) - 6/10 - Not always comfortable up against Semedo but did make a handful of brilliant challenges.
6. Midfielders
Pierre Lees-Melou (CM) - 7/10 - Was everywhere in midfield to keep Moutinho and Neves at bay in the first half.
Billy Gilmour (CM) - 7/10 - Bossed the midfield during his time on the pitch. Nice assist for McLean's header.
Kenny McLean (CM) - 6/10 - A nice move to get on to Gilmour's free-kick. Looked to be planned.
7. Forwards
Przemyslaw Placheta (RW) - 5/10 - Not involved as much as you'd want him to be.
Adam Idah (ST) - 5/10 - Had the first real chances of this game but needed to be better with the ball at his feet. Should have had a goal of his own.
Milot Rashica (LW) - 5/10 - Like Placheta, had some nice moments but didn't do nearly enough.
8. Substitutes
Mathias Normann (CM) - 6/10
Teemu Pukki (ST) - 5/10
Kieran Dowell (CM) - 5/10
Jonathan Rowe (LW) - N/A