Norwich City and Stoke City played out a 1-1 draw in their Premier League clash at Carrow Road.
The Potters took the lead in the 11th minute through Mame Biram Diouf, but Russell Martin brought Alex Neil's men level when he slotted the ball through the legs of Jack Butland.
Norwich created several chances in the second half, but could not find a way through for Butland again as they were forced to settle for a point.
Here, Sports Mole analyses the match how it ended all square.
Match statistics
Norwich
Shots: 21
On target: 7
Possession: 42%
Corners: 9
Fouls: 16
Stoke
Shots: 6
On target: 1
Possession: 58%
Corners: 0
Fouls: 5
Was the result fair?
The Canaries will feel very disappointed that they could not take all three points from the match as they created a plethora of chances in the second half. Butland was in inspired form and made several excellent saves to deny Neil's men, as Nathan Redmond and Graham Dorrans saw their shots stopped by the England Under-21 international. At the other end of the pitch, Stoke could well have nicked the win had they held their composure in front of the net as Diouf and Joselu both missed good opportunities. Norwich will definitely look back at this match with more than a tinge of regret.
Norwich's performance
Neil's side were slow out of the traps and their defending for Stoke's opener was poor. First to give away a free kick in a dangerous positon and then to allow Diouf to peel off the back of their defensive line, with Alex Tettey guilty of making the crucial error. However, their response to going behind was very impressive as they took the game to the Potters and could have equalised before Martin slotted the ball past Butland. From then on, the Canaries had the better of the chances and on another day could have won quite comfortable if not for some excellent keeping from Butland. Their attacking prowess left them open at the back at times, and Stoke could well have snatched the win had they been at their best in the final third, but Neil will feel that his side's display did enough to get the win.
Stoke's performance
Mark Hughes will have been delighted to see an instant impact from record signing Xherdan Shaqiri as he lofted a peach of ball into a dangerous area for Diouf to head past John Ruddy. The Potters did create some good chances of their own, but they were not sharp as they could have been in the final third of the pitch as Diouf missed a couple of opportunties before Joselu blazed over the bar in the dying minutes. Defensively, the Welshman will be be concerned over how easily his side were cut open at times. Robbie Brady had the freedom of his flank to whip in dangerous balls and as mentioned previously on another day Norwich could have scored five goals. Butland kept Stoke in the match and Hughes will have no problem giving him the plaudits for the result as it appeared that he single-handedly kept the Canaries at bay in the second half.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Jack Butland: The keeper had one of those days when he was in exceptional form, even for the Norwich goal he previously made an excellent save to deny Martin from close range before the defender made amends with a good finish. The keeper showed great instincts and reactions to make several impressive saves and most certainly earned his side a point with his display. Outstanding from the England Under-21 international.
Biggest gaffe Cameron Jerome had a good chance to put his side in the lead when he was played in behind the Stoke defence by Jonny Howson, but with all the time in the world he missed the target from close range. The forward should have at least tested Butland with the opportunity.
Referee performance Mike Dean had a solid afternoon. He did not have to make any major decisions and all the calls he made seemed to be correct. He was forced to reach into his pocket five times to book four Norwich players and one Stoke player, but all were justified.
What next?
Norwich: The Canaries are away to Rotherham United in the second round of the Capital One Cup.
Stoke: Hughes's side play Luton Town in their Capital One Cup clash at Kennilworth Road.
Simon Sinclair
