Norwich City returned to winning ways on Saturday, coming from behind to secure their sixth win on the bounce against Charlton Athletic at the Valley.
Charlie Kelman had given the hosts the lead after ten minutes, but the Philippe Clement's side responded well, with Paris Maghoma levelling mid-way through the first half before Mathias Kvistgaarden and Anthony Musaba, whose cross forced Ivan Mesík to turn into his own net, secured the three points for the Canaries.
Going into the game Clement made three changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Portsmouth last weekend, with Paris Maghoma and Mathias Kvistgaarden returning to the starting XI, whilst Harry Darling was also handed his first Championship start since August.
José Córdoba, Anis Ben Slimane and Jovon Makama dropped to the bench, where Kenny McLean was named in the squad for the first time since returning from injury.
With both sides looking to end their respective winless runs, the game threatened to burst into life almost immediately as Tyreece Campbell broke through City's backline in the opening seconds. However, Daniel Grimshaw raced off his line to deny the Charlton forward an early opener.
The Canaries responded quickly, breaking forward through Paris Maghoma, who was played in down the right. However, the recovering Charlton defenders closed off the angle, preventing City's number 25 from getting a shot away.
Clement’s side thought they had taken the lead following an intense opening, as Pelle Mattsson’s reverse pass sent Jack Stacey through on goal. The full-back calmly slotted past Arthur Okonkwo, but his celebrations were cut short as the offside flag was raised.
Despite City's positive start, it was the hosts who broke the deadlock. Rankin-Costello got in ahead of Wright before squaring for Charlie Kelman, who rounded the advancing Grimshaw and lifted the ball beyond McConville and into the net.
City’s best openings came when exploiting Charlton’s high defensive line, with Mathias Kvistgaarden almost capitalising on one such opportunity. The Dane broke beyond Lloyd Jones and bore down on goal, but Billy Koumetio timed his challenge perfectly to dispossess the forward before he could get a shot away.
The Canaries again exploited Charlton’s high press in the 35th minute, as Mathias Kvistgaarden played a perfectly weighted pass through to Paris Maghoma down the right. The former Brentford midfielder raced through before firing past Okonkwo to bring the scores level.
The equaliser gave Clement’s side renewed impetus as they pushed for a second goal in the closing stages of the first half, with goalscorer Maghoma at the heart of their most promising attacks. However, Charlton stood firm to ensure the scores remained level heading into the break.
Kenny McLean was introduced at half-time, replacing Pelle Mattsson as the Scottish international returned to action for the first time since the international break.
The Canaries continued to press for the lead in the opening minutes of the second half, with McLean immediately involved. The midfielder set Stacey away as the fullback burst forward before Andre Brooks, arriving late into the area, fired narrowly wide.
Just five minutes after the restart, Mathias Kvistgaarden turned provider into goalscorer, heading Clement’s side in front.
The goal came from an unlikely source, as Ruairi McConville delivered an inch-perfect cross to pick out the unmarked Dane, whose powerful header proved too much for Okonkwo to keep out.
Charlton thought they had restored parity when McConville inadvertently headed into his own net from a corner. However, the goal was ruled out after Charlie Kelman, who had moved into an offside position, was adjudged to have interfered with play, giving the Canaries a reprieve.
Nathan Jones' side continued to push for an equaliser, with Sam Field introduced in the 65th minute to replace Maghoma. The hosts looked certain to level when Campbell broke through on goal, but Grimshaw reacted superbly, scrambling across to deny the forward and preserve City's advantage.
Looking to regain control, Clement introduced Jovon Makama and Anthony Musaba with 15 minutes remaining, replacing goalscorer Kvistgaarden and Andre Brooks.
Musaba made an immediate impact, driving forward before cutting inside and delivering a powerful low cross that Ivan Mesík inadvertently turned into his own net, doubling the Canaries’ advantage.
Despite a sizeable amount of extra-time being added, City were able to protect Grimshaw's goal, ensuring the three points returned to Norfolk.
Musaba almost added a fourth deep in stoppage time when the winger broke through on goal, only to be denied by Okonkwo, who managed to turn the striker wide.
The Canaries are back in action next Saturday when they host Watford at Carrow Road (12.30pm KO), with tickets available HERE.
Charlton Athletic: Okonkwo; Ramsay, Edwards (Mesík 55), Jones (C), Coventry (Mwamba 75), Campbell, Grant (Leaburn 55), Koumetio, Carey (Knibbs 55), Kelman, Rankin-Costello (Mbick 83)
Subs not used: Mannion, Bindon, Bell, Alli
Bookings: Grant (27), Edwards (32), Knibbs (68), Mwamba (87)
Norwich City: Grimshaw; Stacey, McConville, Darling, Chrisene; Mattsson (C) (McLean 46), Wright; Brooks (Musaba 75), Maghoma (Field 65), Schwartau (Yongwa 87); Kvistgaarden (Makama 75)
Subs not used: Kovačević, Crnac, Córdoba, Fisher
Goals: Kelman (10); Maghoma (35), Kvistgaarden (50), Mesík OG (75)
Bookings: Kvistgaarden (29)
Half-time: 1-1
Full-time: 1-3
Venue: The Valley
Attendance:
Referee: John Busby