Norwich Fight Back to Sink Coventry at Carrow Road
Ahmed nets first English goal as Canaries overturn Championship leaders
Sky Bet Championship leaders Coventry City endured another frustrating afternoon on the road as Norwich City came from behind to claim a deserved 2-1 victory at Carrow Road.
A first goal in English football from Canadian winger Ali Ahmed completed an impressive second-half turnaround for the Canaries, extending Coventry’s winless away run to six matches.
Coventry had taken the lead seven minutes before the break through Romain Esse, who finished clinically against the run of play. However, Norwich responded superbly after half-time, with Anis Ben Slimane levelling within seconds of the restart before Ahmed struck the decisive goal midway through the second half.
The result lifts Norwich up to 18th place — a remarkable turnaround after they had looked strong relegation candidates when Philippe Clement took charge in November. Coventry remain top of the table, but their lead has been cut to just three points with Middlesbrough closing in.
Norwich dominance finally rewarded
Norwich were the brighter side throughout the first half and should have gone ahead before Coventry’s opener. Ben Slimane and Kellen Fisher both wasted promising chances, while defender José Córdoba came agonisingly close on 27 minutes when his low drive crashed back off the post following a corner.
Despite enjoying plenty of possession, Coventry had failed to register a shot on target — but they made their first real chance count in the 38th minute. After Ruairi McConville blocked an initial effort from Victor Torp, Esse reacted quickest to drill the loose ball home.
The visitors nearly doubled their lead moments later, only for Vladan Kovacevic to produce an excellent save to deny Haji Wright.
Lightning-fast response seals comeback
Norwich wasted no time in restoring parity after the break, equalising just 35 seconds into the second half. Ahmed slipped Ben Slimane in down the left and the midfielder calmly rounded Carl Rushworth before sliding the ball home, despite a desperate goal-line attempt from Jay Dasilva.
Coventry briefly threatened to respond when Ephron Mason-Clark headed against the crossbar, but Norwich soon turned the match on its head.
A costly mistake from Liam Kitching, who surrendered possession in his own half, allowed substitute Papa Diallo to break clear and square the ball across goal. Ahmed arrived unmarked to side-foot home and score a memorable first goal in English football.
Coventry pushed for a late equaliser but failed to seriously trouble a confident Norwich side, who held firm to secure a third consecutive league victory.
