Norwich hold off Portsmouth for first league win

Norwich City held off a late Portsmouth fight-back to get their first league win of the season

Norwich City held firm against a late Portsmouth fightback to secure their first Championship win of the season at Fratton Park.

The visiting Canaries scored twice in the first half, with Harry Darling and Josh Sargent on the end of two well-worked set-piece routines that unlocked the Pompey defence.

Florian Bianchini won a penalty for Portsmouth with 10 minutes to go in the game but Colby Bishop's spot kick was saved.

Adrian Segecic gave the home fans some hope late on with a well struck low effort that flew into the bottom corner, but the Blues were unable to find another despite some late chances.

Portsmouth attacker Callum Lang picked up an injury in the second half, appearing to clutch his hamstring before being quickly substituted.

The Canaries struck early to stun the Fratton Park crowd as Marcelino Nunez whipped in a free-kick from the right which found Darling in a central position and the unmarked defender headed the ball into the net to give his side the lead after just six minutes.

Moments later Portsmouth nearly levelled as Josh Murphy turned before crossing the ball to the back post where Regan Poole was sprinting in but his well-struck effort was impressively saved by Vladan Kovacevic.

Norwich then doubled their lead after 14 minutes with another set-piece routine that left Portsmouth's backline scrambling.

Darling loaded up a long throw which was flicked on by Jose Cordoba to the back post where a couple of Norwich players were running in and ultimately it was Sargent who got there first, nodding the ball home as Nicolas Schmid rushed across his goal but was unable to get there in time.

Facing an uphill struggle after the break, Pompey lost attacking midfielder Lang - who has started this season on the right wing – when he seemed to clutch his hamstring after going into a strong challenge on the edge of the box.

Lang missed several weeks of last season after tearing his hamstring in February - although he did end up returning for moments of the Blues' final matches.

Despite his latest injury, Portsmouth played better in the second half, but the real drama did not come until the final 15 minutes of normal time.

They were handed a way back into the match as Bianchini sprinted onto a loose ball in the area and was fouled by Norwich defender Kellen Fisher. Up stepped Bishop to take the spot-kick but his effort was saved in the right corner by Kovacevic.

There was, though, to be no clean sheet for Norwich as new signing Segecic picked up the ball and beat Kovacevic from outside the box to give the home fans late hope.

Portsmouth appealed for a penalty in the fifth minute of added time as Connor Ogilvie went down in the box but the referee awarded a free-kick to Norwich for simulation.

The home side continued to push in the final moments and John Swift hit the underside of the crossbar with a volleyed effort from the edge of the box, but Norwich held on for all three points.

'Apologetic' defending of set pieces - Mousinho

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent:

"I'm really disappointed with the result, there's a lot to unpack, there wasn't a huge amount in the game apart from being really poor around some of the set pieces, I think we lacked some belief coming into the game.

"We apologetically defended the first one to allow Darling to have a free header in the box and that isn't good enough.

"We end the game scratching our heads as to why we didn't get an equaliser, there is definite contact in the late challenge on Connor Ogilvie, It's a definite penalty and I'll speak to the referee and find out why he didn't give it.

"Callum Lang felt his hamstring so we will see, let's hope it isn't too serious as it would be a massive blow if we lose him."

Norwich 'stood up to a tough test' - Manning

Norwich boss Liam Manning told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"I'm exhausted to be totally honest, I feel the same emotion as everyone else watching it.

"Coming to Fratton Park is so difficult, you only have to look at their form here last season and also the fact that they're such a consistent side.

"I think we really stood up to a tough test today and showed a real resilience and fighting spirit that will allow us to be in games this season, there's some real positives to take from today.

"We know how important our set pieces are so credit to the lads for taking it on board, we started the game really well and made it difficult for them."