---
title: "Our man of the match: Brighton (H)"
canonical: "https://readnorwich.com/2017/07/29/our-man-of-the-match-brighton-h-2/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Emery"
section: "Articles"
published: "2017-07-29T18:24:22Z"
modified: "2017-07-29T18:24:22Z"
---

# Our man of the match: Brighton (H)

Norwich City ended their pre-season unbeaten as they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Brighton at Carrow Road.

The Canaries were, arguably, the better side but Brighton were able to hold out for a draw as they prepare for their first ever top-flight campaign.

It was a Carrow Road debut for manager Daniel Farke and a number of the Norwich summer signings, with all impressing the home crowd.

Brighton took the lead against the run of play midway through the first half. Pascal Gross nodded in a cross from the right, looping his header into the far corner.

One of the Carrow Road debutantes equalised for City just before half-time. Summer signing Marley Watkins collected the ball on the edge of the box and lashed a strike into the top corner off the underside of the bar.

Neither side was able to make the breakthrough in the second half, but Nelson Oliveira came close as he struck the post with a rasping 25-yard hit.

Picking a man of the match has been hard, with two players coming to mind; James Maddison and Mario Vrancic.

![Harry Hubbard/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readnorwich.com/readnorwich/2017/07/824260024.jpg)

The pair started off in midfield together – before Maddison came off in the second half – and ran the show for Farke’s side.

But I have to pick one and I am going to go for Mario Vrancic!

The Bosnian has impressed heavily throughout pre-season since signing from German club Darmstadt.

His composure on the ball and energy to get from box to box was pivotal in Norwich’s dominance against Brighton.

Vrancic even came close to scoring when he attempted to lob the goalkeeper from 40-yard, but his effort dropped onto the roof of the net.

More of the same Mario! More of the same!