Norwich City began 2026 with a win, claiming a 2-1 victory away to Queens Park Rangers on New Year's Day in the Sky Bet Championship.
Philippe Clement shuffled the pack from the defeat at home to Watford, with José Córdoba, Ben Chrisene and Matěj Jurásek coming in to start at MATRADE Loftus Road.
It took until the 15th minute for the first chance to be registered, as Steve Cook glanced a header narrowly wide of Vladan Kovačević's post for the hosts.
Kovačević was called into action on the half-hour mark, saving well with his legs after an effort from Rumarn Burrell.
Jurásek came close to opening the scoring for the Canaries, but his shot was palmed out for a corner by Paul Nardi.
After a quiet first half, it was the perfect start to the second half as Norwich went ahead a minute after the restart. Jurásek beat his man and crossed into Josh Sargent who headed in.
Pelle Mattson wasn't too far away from adding a second for the Canaries, with the Dane controlling well and striking a volley that was just over Nardi's crossbar.
Jacob Wright forced a save out of Nardi, before Sargent could only find the side-netting with the follow-up attempt.
Wright then nearly caught Nardi out with a long-range effort, but the QPR goalkeeper managed to get back in time to deny the midfielder.
Jovon Makama would secure the points for Norwich, firing beyond Nardi in the sixth minute of injury time. There would be a late consolation for QPR, however, as Amadou Mbengue scored moments later.
The Canaries are back in action on Sunday afternoon, as they welcome Stoke City to Carrow Road in their first home fixture of 2026.
QPR: Nardi; Mbengue, Dunne, Cook, Norrington-Davies, Hayden (Morgan 64), Madsen, Dembele (Poku 56), Smyth (Saito 56), Burrell, Kone (Kolli 74).
Unused subs: Hamer, Morrison, Field, Vale, Varane.
Goals: Mbengue (90+8)
Norwich City: Kovačević; Fisher, McConville, Córdoba, Chrisene (Mahovo 60); McLean, Mattsson; Jurásek (Stacey 71), Wright (Kvistgaarden 86), Schwartau (Makama 60); Sargent (Springett 71).
Unused subs: Grimshaw, Darling, Slimane, Marcondes.
Goals: Sargent (46), Makama (90+6)
Bookings: Chrisene (45+1), Kovačević (72), Stacey (82)
HT: 0-0
FT: 1-2
Venue: MATRADE Loftus Road
Referee: Dean Whitestone
Attendance: 17,452