Football Dec 07, 2025

Norwich 3-1 QPR: Canaries finally win first home game of the season

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Norwich 3-1 QPR: Canaries finally win first home game of the season

Norwich recorded their first win in 14 matches - and their first at home all season - by seeing off Queens Park Rangers 3-1 at Carrow Road.

The Canaries continued their improvement under new head coach Philippe Clement as they produced an impressive first-half display to comfortably beat a disappointing Rangers side to boost their bid to climb out of the Championship relegation zone.

Emi Marcondes set the ball rolling with an early goal that was quickly cancelled out by Rumarn Burrell, and the hosts did not look back after that, with a Amadou Mbengue own goal and a sweet strike from Amankwah Forson setting them on their way to a long overdue victory.

The match got off to a lively start, with Norwich snatching the lead on nine minutes when Rangers failed to deal with an inswinging Kenny McLean corner and Marcondes blasting home the loose ball from just outside the six-yard box after his initial effort had been blocked.

The visitors were level less than two minutes later, however, after another corner caused havoc. This time the ball fell kindly to Sam Field who was able to deliver a low cross for Burrell to prod home his seventh goal of the season.

Norwich needed a slice of good fortune to get their noses back in front after 33 minutes. This time another McLean corner was missed by everyone until it struck Mbengue, standing a couple yards off the line, and fizzed into the back of the net.

The Canaries wasted no time on building on their lucky break, putting together a sweeping move to make it 3-1 two minutes later. The ball was worked across the face of the box from left to right, with Josh Sargent laying the ball into the path of Forson to calmly curl the ball past keeper Paul Nardi.

The visitors introduced three substitutes at the break in an attempt to get back into the game but despite having plenty of the ball and they unable to make much headway.against a much-improved Norwich side.

The hosts looked to have added a fourth on the hour-mark when Sargent converted Oscar Schwartau's pass, but the American striker, without a goal in 13 games, was adjudged offside.

Rangers wasted a decent chance to reduce the arrears on 70 minutes as Ilias Chair shot straight at keeper Vladan Kovacevic, while at the other end Nardi produced an outstanding stop to keep out Jacob Wright's back-post header.

Norwich's Philippe Clement:

"Team work got us this result - and I am talking not only about the players and the staff I am talking about the fans as well, I'd like to stress that.

"I think they realised there was an improvement against Oxford on Tuesday (in a 1-1 draw) and today they were behind us right from the start, which really helped.

"I thought we played really well in the first half, we were confident with the ball and without the ball and found the places we were trying to find.

"The players stuck to the plan, even when we conceded, and we fully deserved to be 3-1 ahead at half-time.

"We could have been better in the second half but the team fought well, were resilient and won their duels to get the three points."

QPR's Julien Stephan:

"In the first half we lacked the intensity and quality required and got punished.

"We changed it at half-time (with three substitutions) and although we were a bit better we needed to get a second goal early on and it didn't come.

"We had a few chances but didn't take them.

"In the end you have to congratulate Norwich on playing a good game and they deserved to win.

"But it has still been a good week for us, six points out of nine with two of those games being away, and we need to put this behind us."

Tags:

football report id:534528

Share this article

Related Posts

Scotland: Steve Clarke open to staying as head coach but wants future decided before World Cup in USA

Scotland: Steve Clarke open to staying as head coach but wants future decided before World Cup in USA

Steve Clarke is warming to the idea of staying on as Scotland head coach - if he has the option.The 62-year-old feels the ball is in the court of the...

Scottish Premiership title race: Are Hearts under pressure as Celtic, Rangers close in on leaders? | Vote for your winner!

Scottish Premiership title race: Are Hearts under pressure as Celtic, Rangers close in on leaders? | Vote for your winner!

Three teams. Three points between them. Eight games to go. One unmissable title race.The battle for Scottish Premiership glory served up another twist...

World Cup 2026: Angus Gunn, uncapped Findlay Curtis included as Scotland squad for Japan and Ivory Coast warm-up matches revealed

World Cup 2026: Angus Gunn, uncapped Findlay Curtis included as Scotland squad for Japan and Ivory Coast warm-up matches revealed

Uncapped winger Findlay Curtis has been named in Scotland's squad for this month's World Cup warm-up matches.The 19-year-old, who is on loan at Kilmar...

Baller League UK Season 3 fixtures, schedule, teams, managers and how to watch live on Sky Sports

Baller League UK Season 3 fixtures, schedule, teams, managers and how to watch live on Sky Sports

Baller League UK is back for a third season - and it's live once again on Your Site!Your Site and Baller League UK have extended their partnership int...

Fran Kirby: How Brighton star is using her competitive drive to inspire young squad - and eyeing Chelsea upset in WSL

Fran Kirby: How Brighton star is using her competitive drive to inspire young squad - and eyeing Chelsea upset in WSL

It is the glint in her eye and her wide infectious smile that tells you the hunger for the game still burns brightly for Fran Kirby before she says a...

Tottenham: Igor Tudor earns more time to solve Spurs' problems after draw at Liverpool boosts relegation battle

Tottenham: Igor Tudor earns more time to solve Spurs' problems after draw at Liverpool boosts relegation battle

Igor Tudor has earned himself more time to get it right at Tottenham after their hard-earned point at Liverpool.He will remain in charge for the Champ...