Match Report | Norwich City 1-2 Birmingham City

Match Report | Norwich City 1-2 Birmingham City

Norwich City fell to defeat at home, losing 2-1 against Birmingham City in the Sky Bet Championship.

Vladan Kovačević returned to Philippe Clement's starting line-up, having missed the last two fixtures due to injury, with José Córdoba, Ben Chrisene, Kenny McLean, Liam Gibbs, Anis Ben Slimane and Mohamed Touré also starting in NR1.

Carlos Vicente created the game's first chance inside the opening minute, with Kovačević getting in front of his prodded effort.

It would be Vicente who broke the deadlock, scoring after five minutes. The Spaniard surged forward and squeezed the ball underneath the on-rushing Norwich goalkeeper.

August Priske nearly added a second with an acrobatic effort, but Kovačević got a hand up to put it over the crossbar.

Birmingham added a second goal shortly after, as Marvin Ducksch tapped in from Priske's ball across goal.

Norwich nearly pulled one back through Touré. McLean headed into the Australian's path, with his acrobatic attempt being palmed over by James Beadle.

The Canaries made a bright start to the second half, with Beadle denying Touré and Kellen Fisher is quick succession.

Touré then latched onto a ball from Ali Ahmed, but saw his effort hit the outside of the post and bounce clear.

Norwich did pull a goal back via McLean. The Scotsman fired brilliantly into the top corner to reduce the deficit.

Despite Norwich rallying late on, they couldn't find an equaliser as Birmingham claimed all three points.

The Canaries are in midweek action, hosting Sheffield Wednesday at Carrow Road on Wednesday evening.

Norwich City: Kovačević; Fisher, McConville, Córdoba (Darling 89), Chrisene (Stacey 83); McLean (C), Field; Gibbs (Maghoma h-t), Slimane, Ahmed (Springett 89), Touré (Kvistgaarden 71).

Unused subs: Grimshaw, Wright, Marcondes, Mundle-Smith.

Goals: McLean (67)

Birmingham: Beadle; Osayi-Samuel (Laird 77), Klarer, Panzo, Wagner, Tomoki, Solis, Vicente (Roberts 71), Ducksch (Stansfield 71), Gray (Osman 62), Priske (Doyle 78).

Unused subs: Allsop, Neumann, Robinson, Kanya

Goals: Vicente (5), Ducksch (14)

Bookings: Klarer (39)

HT: 0-2

FT: 1-2

Venue: Carrow Road

Referee: Farai Hallam

Attendance: 26,537