Paddy Davitt’s Championship points for Derby 2-3 Norwich City.

Paddy Davitt gives his Derby judgment following Norwich City’s excellent 3-2 Championship away triumph.

1. Statement wins.

Norwich City, led by Johannes Hoff Thorup, become the first visiting team in ten years to pick up any points at Pride Park. That seems large no matter how you cut it. Paul Warne’s freshly promoted club had not conceded in seven of their previous nine league games at home.

Yes, City’s opening goal was due more to referees’ negligence than Josh Sargent’s determination to cut back a pass that was obviously over the line for Borja Sainz. Although City may have pointed out that Sargent’s original shot looked to clip Eiran Cashin’s hands as he was slipping.

Thorup addressed the point in his post-match media. Derby’s second goal might potentially have been disallowed for an alleged ‘offside’ infringement on Angus Gunn.

What cannot be questioned is Norwich’s determination, despite the apparent hostility in the home stands. Sainz added two more, and City’s defensive tenacity was on full display in stoppage time following Corey Blackett-Taylor’s goal.

Scenes at the full-time whistle spoke loudly. Thorup, his players, and the coaching staff were applauded by the 2,800 traveling away supporters. Gunn and Sainz received their own round of applause after significant contributions at either end.

But this was a team effort. And after thrashing Watford, there is clear evidence that momentum, belief, and confidence are growing behind Thorup’s Norwich.

2. Borja ‘Gerd Muller’ Sainz.

The predatory Spaniard has already equaled his Championship score from last season with a match-winning hat-trick against Derby, bringing his personal record to six goals in the first seven league games.

Sainz’s Swansea woes feel like a distant memory, having passed up a couple of late chances to salvage anything from the lengthy journey to Wales. But what a response subsequently.

The’velcro’ touch and cool finish against Watford, followed by two penalty box darts any striker would be proud of, as well as another unerringly precise finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Once Gabby Sara and, to a lesser degree, Jon Rowe left, the question of who could step up and give long-term support to Sargent remained.So far, Sainz has taken the burden.

Thorup’s calming comments following his Swansea defeat seem all the more relevant now. Channel those emotions and understand that, given his location on the pitch, missing opportunities is unavoidable. But on this side, geared to attack teams and keep attacking, Sainz is an ideal foil for the free-running American.

Now he has the opportunity to make the same remarkable goal contributions as either of those two major summer exits.

3. Adverse headwinds.

Thorup was quick to express his dissatisfaction with Norwich’s inactivity, which caused an unpleasant period or two on the road to an overpowering victory.

He followed up on that during his pre-match news conference prior to the journey to the East Midlands, when he discussed dealing with adversity.

City had to overcome not just a home team that had won nine league games in a row in front of their own fans, seven of them without surrendering a goal, but also a wrath and a wave of indignation spreading across the terraces after the unfairness of Sainz’s opening.

As he emerged at the start of the second half, referee Langford found himself in the middle of the tempest. However, it was those in green and yellow who had to deal with the additional gasoline poured through Derby’s players during the stretch that concluded in Craig Forsyth’s equalizer.

Shane Duffy and Jose Cordoba remained steadfast as the balls flew over Gunn’s goal, and after the flow had calmed, City’s beautiful passing patterns resulted in a second and third for sensational Sainz.

Even so, there was an unpleasant and frenetic five minutes of additional time to negotiate when Blackett-Taylor narrowed the margin. However, once Thorup presented the issue about resilience and a front-foot approach following Watford, his players answered magnificently.

4. Life comes at you quickly, Kellen.

Kellen Fisher is going through the gears with considerable pace. A young youngster who had made four senior appearances for Norwich before last weekend’s 4-1 Championship success, and his critical tactical role in that excellent victory.

The next week saw the announcement of a new, longer-term Carrow Road lease, as well as another successful test at Pride Park. So much so that Fisher now feels like a lightning rod for Thorup’s efforts to transform Norwich into an aggressive, possession-based team with lethal turnover instinct.

The 20-year-old’s ability to shift into a pseudo central midfield position on many occasions allowed City to open the pitch and drive a hole into Derby’s pressing style. Fisher was also able to help Ante Crnac while remaining focused on his objective of observing Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

Despite an early scare when he was pulled to the ball, the winger slipped in behind to face a cross that Kayden Jackson sliced wide.

However, Fisher’s reaction was measured, controlled, and marked with self-confidence, implying that he believes now is his moment. His departure before the final quarter at Pride Park was part of Thorup’s tactical shift, which included the introduction of Jack Stacey and Ben Chrisene, as well as Norwich’s back three formation.

Following the ratification of his recent new contract, the teenage fullback expressed his desire for consistent game time from now until the completion of his first season with the Dane.

Maintaining this level will evaluate his effect on the ball rather than minutes on the pitch.

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