The Canaries picked up a hard earned point on the road against a good Bournemouth side.
A nervous affair, both sides could have picked up all three points but neither could find their clinical touch. Both keepers pulled off great saves but neither were tested as much as the opposition would like.
Amongst all the positives, their was one negative for the Canaries. Their last remaining central defender, Ben Godfrey hobbled off the pitch at the start of the second half. He underwent surgery over the international break on a hernia, although it is unclear as to whether or not he went off with the same issue.
Teemu Pukki, arguably, came closest to scoring in the game. He picked up a clever position on the edge of the box but his shot from 20-yards was brillaintly tipped behind for a corner by Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to keep the score at 0-0.
Taking all this into consideration, here are our player ratings…
Tim Krul: 6
The Dutch international wasn’t tested nearly enough by Eddie Howe’s team but when he was called upon, he didn’t put a foot wrong. City’s number one made an impressive save from close range to deny Solanke his first goal in red and black but that was about the only time he was tested.
Max Aarons: 7
After playing sixty minutes in midweek with the England U21s, Aarons was lively, running up and down the wing constantly. The nineteen-year-old dealt with Fraser to perfection, not allowing him to create anything.
Ben Godfrey: 7
He had a hernia operation in the international break but you couldn’t tell as he put in another impressive performance. Solid in the air and cool under pressure, often reluctant to just boot the ball up field. After having such a good game and being City’s last fit centre back, it’s fair to say it was a bit of a worry when he hobbled off early in the second half.
Ibrahim Amadou: 8
Completely dominant in the air and always in the right place at the right time. An all round perfect centre back performance from the defensive midfielder and with Godfrey potentially out for the Manchester United clash, he’ll have to have another outstanding performance.
Jamal Lewis: 8
The Northern Ireland international gave Harry Wilson no time on the ball and along with Aarons, not allowing Bournemouth to create anything on the wings. Going forward, he linked up well with Cantwell and often ventured into Bournemouth’s box.
Kenny McLean: 8
The Scot started most of City’s few attacks and also helped out at the back, something he has struggled with so far this season. Late on, he almost grabbed a goal which he would have deserved but slipped just when he kicked it.
Alex Tettey: 9
Crucial to City’s first clean sheet of the season, with defensive cover that was second to none. Then, when he was forced to go into defence, he was solid and stuck to Callum Wilson, no letting him get any shots off, much to the delight of Krul who heaped praise on him stating after the game ‘He’s amazing’.
Emi Buendia: 7
The Argentinian was caught wanting to much time on the ball on a few occasions but when attacking, he was impressive always trying to feed Pukki.
Mo Leitner: 7
Further forward than normal and it was far from a poor performance. Maybe would have liked to be more involved in the game but when on the ball he did well, hardly putting a foot wrong.
Todd Cantwell: 6
The Dereham born playmaker wasn’t involved enough and when he was, struggled to link up with his fellow attackers. He did link up well with Lewis on a few occasions but Cantwell will be hoping to have a better game against the Red Devils.
Teemu Pukki: 7
The Finnish international was feeding of scraps all afternoon but did look quicker and more confident than he has in the last few matches. He would have liked to test the keeper more, only really testing him on one occasion when he shot from twenty-five yards but it was a world class save by England U21 goalkeeper Ramsdale.