Norwich City were beaten by a solitary goal against Stoke City on a frustrating night at the bet365 Stadium.
Ethan Galbraith’s deflected strike midway through the first period proved decisive, in a game that City dominated for large periods.
The Canaries’ best chances came in quick succession towards the end of the first half, but a combination of resolute defending and quick reflexes from Stoke goalkeeper Viktor Johansson ensured the home side held out for half time.
In the second half City continued to enjoy large spells of possession, but were unable to find a way through the Potters stubborn backline.
Philippe Clement made two changes following the weekend’s home win against Burnley.
Darlin Yongwa was in for his first league start following a Carabao Cup outing at Cardiff City seven days earlier. Anis Ben Slimane also returned to the starting team, in place of Anthony Musaba, with Oscar Schwartau shifted out to the left flank.
City controlled all of the early possession, but on 13 minutes, and arguably against the run of play, Stoke opened the scoring with the first attempt of note.
Galbraith’s shot from all of 25 yards following a Stoke break down the right found Vladan Kovačević’s bottom corner via a big deflection off of Jack Stacey.
Eric Bocat then tried his luck from a similar distance following a miss placed pass in the City midfield, only for his shot to slice wide of the post.
Norwich City continued to see plenty of the ball, but struggled to test Viktor Johansson in the Potters goal.
But with just over 30 minutes on the clock City sparked into life.
Yongwa stung the palms of Johansson from range, before the Stoke stopper was then alive and alert to deny Andre Brooks from close range following Mohamed Touré’s powerful surge forward.
Moments later Kenny McLean struck a loose ball from the edge of the area narrowly wide, as City upped the ante in search of an equaliser.
Brooks was then denied again following Slimane’s clever through ball, with Johansson was down again to keep out the winger’s shot on the stretch from a tight angle.
Clement introduced Musaba at half time in a attempt to find a route back into the game.
But once again it was a similar pattern, with City seeing plenty of the ball but unable to fashion any attempts of note on the Stoke goal.
On the hour mark Schwartau, now operating in a more central role, bobbled a volley wide from the edge of the area.
A rare Stoke breakaway saw Luca Bombino force a flying save from Kovačević from the angle of the penalty area.
Further changes from the bench followed, with Papa Amadou Diallo, Mathias Kvistgaarden and Jacob Wright introduced.
Much of the game was now being played in the Stoke City half, but for all of City’s possession there was little penetration of a stubborn Potters defensive line.
Schwartau once again sent a shot from range wide of the post and Musaba nodded a back post header straight at the goalkeeper, on what ultimately proved a frustrating night in Staffordshire.
Stoke City: Johansson, Johnson, Graham, Galbraith, Junho, Hirst (Boženík 60), Wilmot (Gallagher 46), Bocat, Lawal, Soumaré (Pearson 87), Manhoef (Bombino 46)
Subs not used: Griffiths, Rigo, Anderson, Giani, Kelly
Norwich City: Kovačević, Stacey, McConville, Córdoba, Yongwa (Chrisene 56), Mattsson (Wright 86), McLean (c), Brooks (Diallo 70), Slimane (Musaba 46), Schwartau, Touré (Kvistgaarden 70)
Subs not used: Grimshaw, Darling, Field, Fisher
Goals: Galbraith (13)
Booked: Lawal (47), Galbraith (49), Córdoba (61), McLean (66)
Half-time: 1-0
Full-time: 1-0
Venue: bet365 Stadium
Attendance: 20,140 (1,147 away)
Referee: Andrew Kitchen