Bristol City player ratings as unbeaten run comes to end with Norwich loss

The Manchester United loanee will be disappointed with his second-half showing, however. He pushed the ball into a dangerous area for Mohamed Toure’s first and seemingly got his angles wrong for Jose Cordoba’s header.

Back in the starting line-up after a brief period out with injury, Ross McCrorie went about his business, like most, smartly on the right side of defence, even producing a couple of good crosses into the penalty area. Although it didn’t feel as though he did a lot, as an individual, wrong after the restart, he was part of the backline that conceded four goals in quick succession.

Bristol City’s deadline addition found himself completely out of position in the moments that preceded Norwich City’s second goal. Having stayed forward following the corner, the Swedish defender was unable to get back into position to prevent the counter-attack and was left chasing shadows when Mohamed Toure turned home with ease. It may be harsh, but he could have perhaps been closer to the hat-trick hero when he deflected Edmond-Paris Maghoma’s effort into the back of the net moments later.

Keeping his place as the left-sided centre-back in Bristol City’s back four, Neto Borges - like most in City colours - impressed in the first half as he seemingly won most of his duels and appeared composed in possession. He could have done more to prevent Norwich’s second goal, however, as he failed to keep up with Mohamed Toure, who was left with the simplest of finishes when he was picked out by Oscar Schwartau. He could have, maybe, closed down Edmond-Paris Maghoma quicker for the Canaries’ third, but that would be critical.

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In Cam Pring’s first-half display against Norwich City, there were flashes of the flying full-back Bristol City fans saw so often at Ashton Gate in years gone by. The 28-year-old managed to consistently break beyond Jason Knight and offer an option going forward - which played a part in Sam Morsy’s opener - while also performing his defensive duties well. Like many in red and white, his performance level dipped after the restart as he was perhaps running on empty.

Stationed on the right of Bristol City’s midfield, Mark Sykes had a solid afternoon against Norwich City. The Ireland international carved out a couple of good chances for his teammates and worked hard off the ball before he was replaced early in the second half as the Canaries established some control following their leveller.

As a man with well-documented ties to the blue side of East Anglia, Sam Morsy likely couldn’t have dreamed of a better opening minute against Norwich City. The Bristol City midfielder’s strike to open the scoring was a moment of real magic, and the celebration that followed appeared to fire up the Ashton Gate crowd. Outside of his goal, the 34-year-old performed well at the base of midfield and was rather unfortunate to be left in a footrace for the Canaries’ second goal.

Perhaps Bristol City’s most consistent performer so far this term, Adam Randell, looked slightly off his best against Norwich City on Saturday afternoon. From our vantage point, it seemed as though the midfielder never quite grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, even if he still had a couple of positive moments. Played some part in the Canaries’ second goal, but didn’t make too many glaring errors.

Restored to a more natural midfield position, albeit on the left flank, rather than in the middle of the park, Bristol City’s skipper was his usual lively and combative self in the first-half. His work for Sam Morsy’s opener may have been aided by a slight deflection, but he will no doubt be awarded the assist. As was the case for many of his teammates, his grasp on proceedings loosened after the interval, and he will have likely left the field frustrated.

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I imagine Emil Riis will have made his way back down the tunnel at half-time on Saturday afternoon, questioning just what he’s done to have such recent bad luck in front of goal. The Bristol City forward forced a couple of smart saves out of Vladan Kavacevic and saw a goal chalked off for an offside, which looked like a questionable call in real time. Could he have perhaps reacted quicker to prevent Mohamed Toure’s leveller? Maybe, and it did seem as though the Canaries forward was his man to mark.

While it mattered very little considering the circumstances in which it came, Sam Bell deserves credit for the way in which he took his late consolation goal. It was a clever finish and a rare moment from the second half for the home supporters to enjoy.

How the Middlesbrough loanee didn’t open his account in red and white when he was given a golden chance by Sinclair Armstrong, only he will know. I will give him some praise for his flick that led to Sam Bell’s consolation goal.

Outside of a smart shot from the edge of the area, the Slovenian international’s impact on proceedings from the bench was limited.