Mark Sykes kneels after scoring against Norwich City as team-mate Zak Vyner congratulates himImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Mark Sykes' goal was his first since March for Bristol City

Bristol City intensified the pressure on former boss Liam Manning as Mark Sykes' second-half goal gave them victory at Carrow Road.

The Canaries have now lost all six home games in league and cup since Manning left Ashton Gate to become their head coach in the summer.

Goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic kept Norwich on level terms until a cross by Anis Mehmeti was flicked on by Emil Riis for substitute Sykes to finish.

The home side – beaten by East Anglia rivals Ipswich Town before the international break - came closest when Emiliano Marcondes and Jack Stacey brought the best out of visiting goalkeeper Radek Vitek but they could not find an equaliser as the visitors won for the first time in five matches to go sixth in the table.

Manning, who led Bristol City to the play-offs last season, insisted he was not feeling sorry for himself in the build-up to the game despite his team's poor start to the season.

He made four changes, with midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp making only his second league start since his move from Crystal Palace, while the Robins recalled Ross McCrorie into the starting XI in place of Sykes.

Scott Twine fired an early effort just over for the Robins, who won last seasons corresponding game 2-0 under Manning, and they came even closer when he found Neto Borges, who cut in from the left and hit the outside of the post with a curling effort.

Although Norwich had the majority of the possession, with Oscar Schwartau heading wide from Stacey's cross, the visitors continued to offer a threat on the counter, forcing Kovacevic to beat away a shot from Emil Riis.

The Bosnian was called into action again after the break as he prevented McCrorie's left-foot shot from finding the top corner, while Marcondes' effort shortly after at the other end was superbly saved by Manchester United loanee Vitek.

Kovacevic was in action again to deny Zak Vyner but Gerhard Struber's side took the lead when Mehmeti cut back onto his right foot and found Riis who glanced a header into the path of Sykes to finish first time.

Mehmeti saw a shot deflected wide as they pushed for a second, but it took Vitek's save from Stacey to secure their third away victory of the season.

Defeat saw Norwich drop to 20th, and was greeted by boos and calls for sporting director Ben Knapper to go.

They have now not won for six matches, and will be away to Derby County on Tuesday evening, with sixth-placed Bristol City at home to Southampton.

'Players need to take responsibility' - reaction

Norwich head coach Liam Manning told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"We need a few to start stepping up and owning performances because everything is just too nice around the place - we have to try and change that.

"There was some nice football but nothing at the end of it, not enough aggression, not enough purpose, not enough intent when you're losing a game to get on the front foot and change it.

"We try to give structure, we try to give clarity, but we also try to empower them to step on the pitch and take responsibility to make decisions - if the space is there to go in behind, go in behind and take the risk, if it's not then shorten it up.

"Too many people are passing on the responsibility and not being brave enough. I can't play the game for them, we can give them games plans and solutions, but the second the whistle blows you need people to step up."

Media caption,

Liam Manning on Norwich's defeat by Bristol City

Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber told BBC Radio Bristol:

"The game was on a really high level, we know Norwich have outstanding quality in the roster and we knew it could be difficult for us.

"Every single player was so focused, so concentrated in his own tasks, but also on how we play like a team, it was brilliant.

"In a game like this, sometimes the momentum goes away a little bit, you cannot in an away game at Norwich City always have control and domination.

"Now it is important for us to also bring our power in home games, this is something that should be the next step."

Media caption,

Gerhard Struber: "The boys left everything on the field"

Player of the match

Number: 23 R. Vítek
Average rating 8.53
Number: 1 V. Kovačević
Average Rating: 4.88
Number: 29 O. Schwartau
Average Rating: 4.14
Number: 7 P. Mattsson
Average Rating: 3.76
Number: 9 J. Sargent
Average Rating: 3.73
Number: 23 K. McLean
Average Rating: 3.70
Number: 3 J. Stacey
Average Rating: 3.67
Number: 6 H. Darling
Average Rating: 3.49
Number: 27 J. Schlupp
Average Rating: 3.42
Number: 5 J. Medić
Average Rating: 3.19
Number: 11 E. Marcondes
Average Rating: 3.19
Number: 24 J. Makama
Average Rating: 3.02
Number: 10 M. Jurásek
Average Rating: 3.02
Number: 8 L. Gibbs
Average Rating: 2.98
Number: 35 K. Fisher
Average Rating: 2.83
Number: 17 A. Crnac
Average Rating: 2.31

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

Related topics