Norwich City kicked off their 2026/27 campaign in style with a 4-1 win over MK Dons at Carrow Road in the League Cup on Saturday.
Mohamed Toure and Anis Ben Slimane both struck early to give the hosts a commanding lead before Ben Chrisene diverted the ball in for three just before half-time.
Summer signing Andre Brooks then grabbed a debut goal in the second half shortly after Ryan Wintle’s consolation goal, securing the win for Philippe Clement’s side.
Now, to kick off the season at Read Norwich, we have analysed and rated each of the eleven players who started the match against the lower league outfit.
The goalkeeper and defence
Vladan Kovacevic: 7.5
Norwich’s number one surprisingly got the nod ahead of cup goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw and produced an impressive performance between the sticks, saving a penalty and making a terrific diving save to tip a shot over the bar late on.
Jack Stacey: 6
Jack Stacey, filling in for the injured Kellen Fisher, had good and bad moments throughout the game. He made a couple of strong tackles and supported Brooks well at times, but he also made a poor challenge to get booked and made an error that led to a shot.
Harry Darling: 7
Harry Darling put in a good performance for what he was up against, winning 100% of his ground duels and completing five of his seven long passes.
The only thing to note is that he played several loose passes into midfield that MK Dons failed to capitalise on and he was left second best in several long ball situations that the MK Dons striker then failed to do anything with.
Those lapses on and off the ball may have been punished against Championship-grade opposition, as was often the case for him last season.
Jose Cordoba: 7.5
Norwich’s Panama international dealt with the aerial threats that Darling was unable to, winning three of his five aerial duels, and showed great composure in possession throughout.
Ben Chrisene: 8
The signing of Darlin Yongwa may have sparked a reaction from Ben Chrisene, who won four of his six ground duels, won 100% of his attempted tackles, and got on the scoresheet by deflecting Brooks’ shot into the roof of the net.
The midfield
Kenny McLean: 8
Norwich’s skipper put on a passing clinic against the EFL side with five chances created, one ‘big chance’ created, and an assist for Toure’s opener with a perfect through ball.
Pelle Mattsson: 7
It became a running joke in last season’s player ratings that Pelle Mattsson could be given a 7/10 rating before a single ball had been kicked. That was yet again this case on Saturday.
Anis Ben Slimane: 8
Anis Ben Slimane picked up from where he left off last season by scoring a gorgeous goal to make it 2-0, sending the defender with a bit of skill before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
He picked up intelligent positions throughout the match and was slightly unfortunate not to create more for his teammates, as he still looked a yard short of fitness having come back to pre-season later than most due to the World Cup.
The attack
Andre Brooks: 8
Norwich’s £8m signing from Sheffield United enjoyed a fantastic debut on the right flank, assisting Chrisene with his shot that deflected off the defender before finally scoring in the second half.
His goal showed exactly why the Canaries splashed the cash on him because he showed physicality, speed, and technical quality to intercept a pass, burst past the defence, and slot past the ‘keeper.
Mohamed Toure: 9
Mohamed Toure, donning Ali Ahmed’s old squad number in support of his teammate, got the game rolling with a thunderous finish that was reminiscent of his strike against Derby County last term.
Just minutes later, the Australia international intelligently flicked the ball into the path of Slimane for the second goal of the match, registering a goal and an assist in seven minutes.
The striker ended the match with five shots on goal, three key passes, and two ‘big chances’ created for the Canaries, and looks set to start against West Bromwich Albion next weekend.
Oscar Schwartau: 6
Norwich look like they need to go back into the market to sign a natural left winger to replace Ahmed, as Oscar Schwartau failed to make the most of the space that he had in the final third.
The Dane’s performances in the number ten position and on the right flank last season prove that he is a promising talent, but he is not a natural left-sided winger.
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