Norwich City suffered a dramatic 4-3 defeat against Middlesbrough on Saturday after a late defensive collapse undermined an impressive second-half fightback at the Riverside.
Philippe Clement must address his side’s persistent vulnerability to set-pieces following Ashley Phillips’ 91st-minute winner. The stoppage-time blow ruined a stunning revival triggered by the manager’s halftime adjustments.
Jacob Wright Sparks Second-Half Revival
Trailing 3-1 at the interval, Clement replaced Anis Ben Slimane with Jacob Wright. The midfielder immediately transformed the contest. Wright assisted Jovon Makama to reduce the deficit in the 70th minute. He then fired a loose ball into the top of the net to level the game.
These transitions highlight how the manager’s system successfully unlocks forward areas. This builds on how the squad recently embraced his heavy rotation. Yet, this expansive approach leaves the defensive unit dangerously exposed during late pressure.
Set-Piece Flaws Demand Immediate Attention
Middlesbrough secured the points when Norwich failed to clear a stoppage-time free-kick. This allowed Phillips to poke home the vital decider. The frantic finish suggests the coaching staff must refine their late-game management.
They may need to pause their purely data-driven selection approach to address fundamental defensive flaws at the back.
Wright’s standout display presents Clement with a significant selection dilemma. The midfielder will push for a start when Norwich visit Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on Thursday. The squad then hosts Bolton Wanderers in the Championship on Sunday.
