Good afternoon and welcome to the live commentary of the Premier League clash between
Norwich City and
Stoke City at Carrow Road.
Both sides picked up their first points of the season last week after opening-day defeats. The Canaries earned their first win of the campaign as they travelled to the Stadium of Light and beat Sunderland 3-1 thanks to goals from
Russell Martin, Steven Whittaker and Nathan Redmond. Meanwhile, Stoke came from two goals down to secure a draw against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane as Marko Arnautovic and
Mame Biram Diouf got on the scoresheet.
Norwich put in an excellent display last week to earn their first win of the season. They dominated Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and the scoreline could have been more emphatic had they taken all the chances that were on offer. Nathan Redmond had an impressive outing as he notched his second goal of the season and caused havoc everytime he raided into the final third, while Wes Hoolahan pulled the strings in the midfield with the accuracy of his passing. Neil will be delighted with how his side have started the campaign.
The Potters were outdone by a bit of brilliance from Philippe Coutinho on the opening day of the season and then fell 2-0 behind to Spurs in the first half of their clash at White Hart Lane last week. However,
Mark Hughes has instilled a strong character into his players and they fought back late in the game to earn a point after Arnautovic scored from the spot and Diouf fired in the equaliser. They will have hopes of recording their first win of the season this afternoon.
The team news has been announced and we'll start with the home side.
NORWICH STARTING XI: Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Brady; Redmond, Tettey, Dorrans, Howson; Hoolahan; Jerome
Subs: Rudd, Wisdom, Johnson, Grabban, Hooper, R Bennett, O'Neil
STOKE CITY STARTING XI: Butland; Johnson, Cameron, Muniesa, Pieters; Whelan, van Ginkel; Shaqiri, Afellay, Arnautovic; Diouf
Subs: Given, Ireland, Joselu, Wilson, Adam, Crouch, Wollscheid
No surprise from
Alex Neil has the Scot has named an unchanged side from the team that defeated Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Cameron Jerome continues to lead the line supported in attack by Hoolahan, Redmon and Jonny Howson. Robbie Brady and Whittaker operate in the full-back spots, while Sebastien Bassong and Russell Martin sit in the heart of the defence.
New signing Xherdan Shaqiri goes straight into the starting lineup for the Potters this afternoon after he served his one-match ban against Spurs after being sent off in a Coppa Italia match for Inter Milan last season. The Swiss replaces Jonathan Walters in the team in the only change from the lineup that started the match against Tottenham. Diouf leads the line with Shaqiri just in behind him, while Ibrahim Afellay and Arnautovic operate on the flanks. Geoff Cameron and Marc Muniesa keep their places in the centre of defence, while Erik Pieters retains his place at left-back.
Stoke have made a big impact in the Premier League with the capture of Shaqiri, stating their intent for the season ahead. The Potters spent £12m to secure the signature of the 23-year-old and will be hopeful that he makes a lasting impact in his debut season for the club after a difficult time at Inter Milan last term. Ibrahim Afellay also made the switch to the Britannia Stadium and has performed well in his two matches so far in the campaign. Surprisingly, Stoke's main concerns lie at the back where they conceded two goals very easily last week. Captain Ryan Shawcross has been ruled out of action for two months with a back injury, and his teamamtes appear to be missing his presence in the back four.
STAT ATTACK! Norwich have lost just one of their last 10 matches against Stoke at Carrow Road.
Redmond has scored five goals in his last six matches for the Canaries dating back to last season. His two finishes for Norwich this season have displayed his wide skill set as he scored a low drive from distance against Crystal Palace and a well-worked move against Sunderland. He has admitted that he is relishing his role in the team, with freedom to roam in the final third.
"It's massive for me to be scoring goals now. I knew I needed to have more end product and I've always said I had to score more. I'm not really doing anything different.
"But the manager has given me a bit more licence and that's been music to my ears. Scoring goals is my main priority now."
Stoke boss Hughes has conceded that he may have a tough time keeping all of his players happy following the arrivals of Shaqiri, Afellay and Marco van Ginkel in the summer.
He told BBC Sport: "I have just been speaking to the guys and I have told them that when we have a relatively fully fit squad of players, like we do now, then it is always going to be difficult to keep everybody happy.
"I think everybody's really enthused by what may be ahead in terms of selection and the team we can put out."
Let us take a lot to see what the lads on the
Sports Mole sofa think will happen at Carrow Road this afternoon.
Since Neil became manager of the Canaries back in January, he has guided his team to wins in 18 of their 27 matches. The club have not been beaten away from home under his tenure, and the Scot is determined to take that form into their matches at Carrow Road.
He told BBC Sport: I know it's the Premier League now and it's a higher level but the quality we have in the group is there for all to see.
"The players deserve all the plaudits that they're getting at the moment, but the Sunderland game is done and we need to move on to the next one.
"We want to make sure that our home form is good, and hopefully we can start that on Saturday."
In the last meeting between the teams the match finished 1-1 as Jonathan Walters scored a second-half equaliser from the penalty spot for the Potters to earn them a point, but he was also sent off at Carrow Road, while Bradley Johnson put the Canaries ahead with a strike earlier in the half.
UPDATE! The match between Manchester United and Newcastle United has ended in a goalless draw. Hopefully we get a few more goals at Carrow Road this afternoon.
The players are making their way out on to the pitch at Carrow Road so we should be underway very shortly.
KICKOFF! We're underway at Carrow Road.
Slow start to the game as both teams have enjoyed periods of possession, but no breaks in the final third to speak of as of yet.
Hoolahan finds the run of Tettey through the middle and he releases Brady down the left. The left-back tries to fire a first-time cross into the box, but Johnson is alert to the danger to block the cross.
Chance for Norwich to whip a cross into the box as Brady goes down on the left following a tackle from Cameron. Brady will lift the ball into the penalty area.
Stoke defend the set piece well as Muniesa heads the ball behind, while Whelan clears the ball from the resulting corner from the left. Solid start from the Potters.
Hoolahan finds space to raid into the box down the left and Cameron comes across to force him back slightly. The midfielder tries to knock the ball past him to get into the left inside channel, and the ball hits the defender's arm, but the referee waves play on. It would have been very harsh on Cameron.
GOAL! Norwich 0-1 Stoke (Diouf)
Xherdan Shaiqiri announces his arrival in the Premier League as he produces an absolute beauty of a cross into the box from a free kick from the right with his left foot. Diouf peels off the back of Tettey on the penalty spot and powers his header into the bottom corner. A great all-round goal from the Potters.
Norwich allow Van Ginkel to raid into the final third of the pitch and he fires a low effort at goal from 25 yards, but his strike lacks accuracy and power as Ruddy watches the ball sail past his post.
The Canaries work the ball well across the pitch and Dorrans tries to play Whittaker in behind Arnautovic down the right, and although the pass is perfectly weighted, Butland races off his line to block the ball at the feet of the defender. Excellent keeping from the Potters man.
Redmond surges through the centre of the park and lines up an effort from distance from a similar range to his goal against Palace on the opening day. However, on this occasion his strike goes wide of the target.
Norwich have responded well since the goal, but they are yet to test Butland. Stoke are trying to establish a possession game, but pressure from the Canaries has put them on the back foot. Good football all around.
Shaqiri shows a willingness to track back for the visitors as he follows the run of Brady and does well to get goalside of the defender, before winning a free kick to ease the pressure on his defence.
Norwich threaten from distance as Tettey exchanges passes with Whittaker before rifling an effort from 25 yards towards the net. The strike has a lot of power, but no accuracy as the ball sails wide of the target.
A first in the Premier League as Mike Dean calls for a water break! The temperatures at Carrow Road are over 30 degrees, but the crowd don't like the referee's decision.
GOAL! Norwich 1-1 Stoke (Martin)
Norwich draw level as Martin fires in his second goal of the season to net the equaliser. The goal came from a free kick from the left as Brady whipped in a dangerous cross into the box, which Martin connected with by Butland made an excellent save. The Canaries kept the attack alive and Redmond slid a through-ball into the box for Martin, who held his composure to slot his effort between the legs of the keeper.
The Canaries deserve to be back in the game as their response since falling behind has been very impressive. They've played some good football in the middle of the park, and Brady has been a constant threat down the left. Interesting match we have on our hands here.
Shaqiri almost unlocks the Norwich defence on his own with a weaving run. The midfielder loses his balance inthe box, but manages to regain his feet, although before he can get an effort away a number of yellow shirts are there to block the ball.
Stoke have the ball in the net a Diouf powers the ball past Bassong on the line, but the goal is ruled out for offside. Ruddy's attempted clearance was picked off by Van Ginkel, who inadvertently played it into the path of the forward, who showed his quality with a neat finish. However, he was well offside when he found the net.
A great opportunity for Norwich to threaten as Redmond wins a free kick right on the edge of the box. Brady stands over the ball.
CHANCE! Brady curls his effort over the wall and the balls goes inches past the post. Close from the left-back, but Butland may have had that covered.
Muniesa makes an important header at the back as he stoops to beat Hoolahan to the ball. The midfielder would have been in on goal had the Spaniard not won the ball there.
Stoke have struggled to retain possession since the equaliser from Martin, the Canaries have done all the pressing for the past 12 minutes and have put the Potters under pressure without carving out a clear-cut opening.
There will be two minutes of added time.
Stoke defend the edge of the box extremely well as Brady advances down the left and decides to drill the ball at goal. Cameron makes the the first block, but the ball rebounds into the path of Redmond, who has a blast, but Muniesa is there to intervene.
YELLOW CARD! Russell Martin goes into the book for the home side for a poor challenge on Diouf.
HALF-TIME: Norwich 1-1 Stoke
Mike Dean brings to an end an entertaining first half at Carrow Road. Both teams have played well, although Norwich may have shaded it as they ended the first 45 minutes on the front foot. Diouf put the Potters ahead in the 11th minute when he converted Shaqiri's cross at the back post, but the Canaries responded through Martin in the 28th minute. The game looks to be open so we could see a lot more goals in the second period.
The Canaries have had more attempts in the first half with nine compared to Stoke's two, but the Potters have had the majority of possession at 58%, which is surprising considering how well Norwich played towards the end of the half.
The players are back out on the pitch and we're ready to go for the second half.
RESTART! We're back underway at Carrow Road.
CHANCE! Redmond tries his luck from the edge of the box as he cracks an effort with his right foot, but his strike sails just wide of the target. Decent effort by the winger.
YELLOW CARD! Bassong joins his defensive partner Martin in the book.
CHANCE! Jerome spurns an excellent chance to hand the Canaries the lead as he makes a good run in behind Muniesa to latch on to Howson's incisive through ball, but he could only put his left-footed shot wide of the target.
CHANCE! Norwich miss a golden chance again as Howson knocks the ball back to Brady to whip a cross into the box. The delivery from the left-back is pinpoint for the head of Hoolahan, but he can only guide his header past the post. Two great chances in the space of a minute for the home side.
OFF THE POST! Dorrans takes a touch to ease past Arnautovic and races towards the edge of the box. He drills a low effort towards the bottom corner, but Butland manages to tip his strike on to the post and out for a corner. Huge save by the Potters keeper.
CHANCE! Johnson links up with Whelan down the right and the through-ball from the midfielder sees the right-back into the box, but before he can shoot he gets crowded out by several yellow shirts. Johnson had plenty of time to pull the trigger before the defenders closed in on him there.
CHANCE! Shaqiri collects the ball down the right and cuts back in on to his left foot. The Swiss tries an ambitious effort to find the top corner, but his strike goes inches past the post. Close from the 23-year-old.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Ireland and Joselu come on for the Potters to replace Afellay and Arnautovic.
SAVE! Butland keeps Stoke level by making a brilliant fingertip stop to deny Redmond. The ball bounced kindly off a defender and Redmond advanced into the box before striking a low effort towards the bottom corner with power, but the keeper was there with a strong hand to tip the ball past the post.
YELLOW CARD! Tettey goes into the book for a challenge on Diouf.
The tempo has dropped over the past few minutes as both teams are trying to retain possession. The game has been played at a pretty frenetic pace so both sides could need a rest for a few minutes or so.
CHANCE! Ireland and Diouf combine to release the forward behind the Norwich defence. Diouf should take the shot on first time on the volley, but he takes an extra touch which allows Martin to get back at him to make the challenge. The attack is kept alive as the ball finds Ireland on the edge of the box, but he can only volley his effort over the bar.
Break in play as we have another water break at Carrow Road.
This game could go either way at the moment, both sides look dangerous in the final third, and it will come down to which side can take the chance that comes.
SUBSTITUTION: Johnson replaces Hoolahan for the Canaries.
SUBSTITUTION: Adam comes on to the pitch in place of Van Ginkel.
The tempo has dropped again over the past few minutes, could we see late drama in this match in final 10 minutes.
YELLOW CARD! Dangerous for Norwich as Whittaker goes into the book for a challenge on Diouf just outside the box. Adam will take the set piece.
Awful from Adam as he tries to be clever and play a pass through the ball, but Norwich are alert and they breakaway up field.
CHANCE! Brady raids down the left and his low ball travels across the edge of the box into the path of Dorrans. The Scot shoots first time and powers an effort towards the bottom corner, but Butland makes the save.
SAVE! From the resulting corner, Brady's delivery into the box is headed into the path of Jerome who tries to hook the ball towards the top corner, but Butland blocks the ball with his body and then falls on the ball. What a game he has had.
SUBSTITUTION: Gary O'Neil replaces Howson for the home side.
CHANCE! Joselu spurns a golden chance to win the game for the Potters as the ball falls to him at the back post, but with space and timem he can only guide his effort over the bar. What a miss!
There will be four minutes of added time.
CHANCE! Now Norwich miss a golden chance to win the game as Brady lifts a dangerous ball towards the back post and Johnson peels off the back of Ireland, but he cannot guide his effort from close-range on target.
CHANCE! Butland comes to Stoke's rescue again as he reacts quickly to tip Jerome's header over the bar from Brady's corner.
FULL-TIME: Norwich City 1-1 Stoke City
What an entertaining match we had at Carrow Road this afternoon and Norwich will be kicking themselves that they couldn't find a winner. They peppered the goal of
Jack Butland with chances in the second half, but the keeper was in inspired form to help the Potters earn a point from the contest. Mark Hughes will be the happier of the managers this evening as his side were cut open time and again by the Canaries and he has Butland to thank for helping them to the draw.
Thanks for joining our commentary this afternoon. Until next time, goodbye.