Norwich City cruised to a 3-1 victory over fellow promotion outfit Bournemouth last night, sending the Canaries up to eighth on the Premier League table.
Outside90’s Sean Galea-Pace takes a look at the best individual performances at both ends of the pitch.
Norwich City
John Ruddy – 6: Let down by poor defending for Bournemouth’s goal, but had a quiet game due to the opposition only mustering two shots on target.
Robbie Brady – 7.5: Really making that left-back role his own following Olsson’s injury and continued to impress here. Excellent running back and forth to contribute to Norwich City attacks.
Russell Martin – 6.5: Solid performance at the back for the skipper. Will feel dissapointed to have not kept a clean sheet though.
Sebastian Bassong – 7: Also put in a solid shift at the back for the Canaries and stopped the threat from the in-form Callum Wilson.
Andre Wisdom – 6: Started poorly but played better as the game went on. Will become a more influential player with further first-team minutes under his belt.
Matt Jarvis – 8.5: Exciting debut from the new Canaries man with excellent running and control, he was rewarded with the third goal. Norwich fans will look forward to seeing him play again.
Jonny Howson – 6: Quieter match than usual for Howson, but there were flashes of his undoubtable quality throughout.
Alex Tettey – 7.5: Dominating performance in the centre of the park as usual from the Norweigan international, stopping Bournemouth attacks and launching his side forward was second nature for him.
Nathan Redmond – 6.5: Surprisingly uninfluential having had such a great start to the season. His pace is always a great outlet, but was lacking the killer final ball today.
Wes Hoolahan – 9: Was the best player on the pitch by a mile. The little Irishman showed his true class with an amazing goal and a great assist, proving that even at 33, he can still deliver the goods. Hoolahan has taken life back in the Premier League in his stride and is now top of the competition assist charts.
Cameron Jerome – 7.5: Relieved to finally get his first Premier League goal of the season and will feel like it is a weight off his shoulders having been cruelly denied since the opening day controversy. Was a pest to the defenders throughout and his physical prescence is a force.
Substitutes
Graham Dorrans – 6.5: Brought on to see the game out at 3-0 and did exactly what was necessary.
Martin Olsson – 6.5: Great to see him back and showed Norwich fans what they were missing with his electric pace. Was a handful on that left-hand side.
Dieumurci Mbokani – 6: Only came on for the final 10 minutes by which time the game was already won. Almost had a debut goal, but showed good signs in his first ever game in English football.
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AFC Bournemouth
Artur Boruc – 6: Could not do anything to stop any of the three Norwich goals, but will feel dissapointed his defence did not do more to help him out.
Simon Francis – 6.5: A decent showing against Jarvis to reduce his threat, but was left chasing the winger on more than one occasion.
Tommy Elphick – 5: Poor game from the centre-back. Hoolahan ran rings around him and should have closed down Howson leading up to Jarvis’s goal.
Steve Cook – 5.5: At fault for both Jerome and Jarvis’ goals with poor defending at the back. Did score a consolation, but it was largely a game to forget.
Adam Smith – 5: Smith would have been eager to take this chance in the team following injuries to two of the usual first choice left-backs, yet constantly struggled against Redmond’s pace.
Matt Ritchie – 4.5: Quiet showing for the usually influential midfielder. Got dominated in the centre of the park and was unable to gain control again.
Eunan O’Kane – 5: Tried hard but struggled to make any influence on the proceedings.
Andrew Surman – 5.5: Looked good at points but fizzled out all too often. Will not have enjoyed his return to Norfolk too much.
Junior Stanislas – 6: A couple of glimpses of quality, but they were too few and far between to have the desired impact for Eddie Howe’s team.
Joshua King – 5: Started the match well, then drifted out in the second-half and never reappeared.
Callum Wilson – 7: Bournemouth’s one bright spark that looked most likely to make something happen. An effort that hit the post was the closest it got for Wilson, his running caused Norwich problems though.
Substitutes
Glenn Murray – 5: Lack of service meant it was a debut to forget for the former Palace man.
Yann Kermorgant – 5: Like his teammates, he failed to have an impact on the match.
Dan Gosling – 5: The game was already lost by the time Gosling entered the fray and Howe threw him on in a last-ditch attempt to get a reward.
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