Kenny McLean       6

Invited Sainz forward for his second goal. Prior to the intermission, Norwich had one of its most promising periods of play. I chose Sainz, who delivered a strong touch for Sargent to enter the channel.

Doyle is a good choice for the Fisher cross. Cordoba lost the ball within his own final third early in the second half, yet he still managed to surrender a corner. However, Forsyth equalized by beating him aerially at the far post.

Marcelino Nunez 7

The Chilean’s closing down transformed a careless Derby turnover into the opening goal, releasing Sargent into the right-hand channel. The American’s recovery effort was expertly completed by Sainz. The unquestioned leader of City’s dead ball work. Cordoba headed over from a corner in the ninth minute.

Then he dropped a deeper one to Sainz, who cut wide to his right. But he also shown confidence in his passing in open play with the slide rule diagonal, which landed at the feet of Sainz, who saw his cross slither through the legs of a Derby defender and Cashin get a crucial touch as Sargent closed in at the far post.

Oscar Schwartau 6

Despite the availability of fit-again Anis Ben Slimane, Thorup shows optimism in retaining his spot in Watford’s starting lineup. His colleague hailed him as a Premier League-caliber talent throughout the build-up. Hauled down after a brilliant footwork baited Forsyth into a hard tackle.

Ante Crnac 6

The second half faded, but the first half was likely his most productive in a Norwich jersey, with him contributing to some of City’s greatest offensive activity. Jinked past Yates in the sixth minute, but stumbled while weighing a shot. Went outside of Ryan Nyambe, but the cross lacked penetration.

Good awareness to tempt players, then release Fisher to try and find Sainz in the 28th minute. In the 36th minute, backed up Sainz after the Spaniard’s original attempt rebounded to him, and deflected the ball back into his path for a chip that Zetterstrom pushed over.

Josh Sargent        8

No goals again, but an all-action effort highlighted by Thorup after the game for selflessly squaring for Sainz to secure the win rather than taking a shot himself. Was inviting Sainz to reciprocate with a slip pass for the Spaniard’s early second goal.

He was heavily involved in the contentious first goal, as his original effort looked to be touched by Cashin before he guided the ball back from over the byline for Sainz to smartly finish with a back heel.

Borja Sainz 9

He has four goals in his previous two games after going blank against Swansea, and he is the first Norwich City player to score a hat-trick since Teemu Pukki in a 7-0 win over Huddersfield in April 2021.

Could have easily had a couple more based on the strength of his opportunities. In the 33rd minute, when unmarked, he drilled Nunez’s corner wide. Then I noticed Zetterstrom tip over his lob. Turned provider with a deflected cross that was destined for Sargent at the back post before being touched by the great Cashin.

But he was alert to the situation and used a near post dart and precise back heel to slide Sargent’s low cut back in first-half stoppage time. After collecting from McLean, he hit the bottom corner with a precise finish from the outside of the box. He checked his run to stay onside and dispatched Sargent’s flick below Zetterstrom.

Subs

Anis Ben Slimane (Schwartau, 1959)6

Sargent raced clean and centre, allowing Sainz to slot the match-winning shot. It was no coincidence that his arrival coincided with City’s need for more measured possession following Derby’s frenetic post-interval surge that lasted until the hour.

Ben Chrisene (For Crnac, 77) n/a

Jack Stacey (for Fisher, 78): n/a

Amankwah Forson (For Sainz, 88) n/a

Accepted the chance to launch from within his own half, with Derby goalie Zitterstrom isolated upfield attacking a last-gasp home corner, but his long-range shot went wide.

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk