Norwich supervisor David Wagner can stay up for a reunion with shut pal Jurgen Klopp following a 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers on the Memorial Stadium that secured a fourth-round tie at Liverpool.
Matt Taylor’s League One aspect threatened an upset when Luke McCormick fired them forward after 20 minutes however Norwich rallied within the second half with targets from Gabriel Sara, Adam Idah and Kenny McLean seeing them into spherical 4.
Rovers started the third-round replay brightly and former Norwich striker Chris Martin noticed an early effort drift simply vast earlier than Luke Thomas’ header was comfortably saved by George Lengthy.
Norwich, with out the injured Josh Sargent, struggled to get going as an attacking power and that allowed the Gasoline to proceed to press with solely an excellent Lengthy save denying Antony Evans.
It proved to be solely non permanent respite for Norwich as from the next nook McCormick put the Gasoline in command with a carefully-placed low drive from simply contained in the penalty space.
Issues went from unhealthy to worse for Wagner’s lacklustre aspect when defender Danny Batth limped off injured.
Norwich had been sparked into life by the energetic Sara, who lastly gave the travelling supporters one thing to shout about with a long-range effort that Matt Cox did nicely to push over.
However again got here Rovers and Thomas ought to have doubled the lead simply earlier than half-time because the Norwich defence fell aside however he wasted an inviting opening and side-footed vast of Lengthy’s objective from simply exterior the world.
Bristol Rovers had no reply to Norwich’s blitz
Rovers continued to benefit from the higher hand after the break and solely a superb, low save by Lengthy saved out Thomas’ powerfully-struck shot and solely determined defending saved the hosts at bay as they pressed for a doubtlessly decisive second objective.
Norwich acquired their attacking act collectively and had been stage on 53 minutes because of the spectacular Sara, who bundled the ball dwelling from shut vary after Sam McCallum’s effort struck the submit with the Rovers defence at sixes and sevens.
Rovers had been quickly again on the entrance foot however had been punished for his or her ambition once they had been caught out on a swift counter-attack by the marauding Canaries.
The hosts had been left outnumbered as Norwich poured ahead and had been punished when Connor Taylor introduced down McLean within the field following a collision.
Referee Andy Davies pointed to the spot and whereas Brentford loanee Cox acquired a hand to Idah’s penalty it was not sufficient to cease the ball from spinning over the road to present Norwich a 59th-minute lead.
Rovers saved going however Martin was brilliantly denied an equaliser by Lengthy because the League One aspect’s desires of a primary go to to Anfield since 1992 light.
McLean sealed victory within the 87th minute with a long-range effort to ease Norwich nerves.
Taylor: We shot ourselves within the foot
Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor:
“It is a defeat that hurts as a result of for me we have performed a giant half in our personal downfall. Matt (Cox) was virtually our penalty hero with the way in which he acquired a hand to the penalty (from Idah that made it 2-1) however that epitomises us in a way.
“We’re an virtually workforce and that is acquired to alter if we’ll get anyplace.
“I am pleased with the gamers as a result of we have gone toe-to-toe with a great Championship aspect.
“However total it is a large remorse as a result of we performed nicely over the 2 legs. We shot ourselves within the foot in that little second-half spell which is irritating.”
Wagner excited for Klopp reunion
Norwich boss David Wagner:
“I have not checked my messages but however I would not be stunned if Jurgen has already been in contact now we’re via,” mentioned Wagner, who was a team-mate of Klopp’s at Mainz and greatest man at his 2005 marriage ceremony.
“I have not seen Jurgen in particular person since his party final yr so it will likely be nice to have a little bit of reunion with him.
“Nevertheless it’s not about us and above all it is all about ensuring my workforce go to Anfield and do Norwich Metropolis proud.
“A tie at Anfield is a extremely large prize for my workforce and I do know my gamers will relish the chance to tackle the Premier League’s greatest gamers.
“Nevertheless it’s not one thing that ought to maintain any concern for my gamers and I might be telling them that we’ll go for it.
“It will likely be an amazing recreation however there are essential Championship video games between now and Liverpool however I promise we might be prepared and can give a great account of ourselves.”
What’s next?
Blackpool go to Bristol Rovers in Sky Guess League One at 3pm on Saturday. Norwich Metropolis host West Brom within the Championship at Carrow Highway on the similar time.
