Paddy Davitt rates Liam Manning’s Norwich City, who started on the front foot but retreated at Carrow Road to start the Championship season on a losing note.

Vladan Kovacevic              5

Lacked any presence as the balls rained into his penalty box in the immediate aftermath of Josh Sargent’s second half leveller. Beaten in his game of poker with Macaulay Langstaff when the Lions’ matchwinner slotted between his legs.

Standout moment by a long stretch the excellent two-handed parry going to his left to deny Camiel Neghli. Even better on the replays given the strike travelled through yellow shirts in front of him. But beaten at his near post by Neghli for Millwall’s opener.

Jakov Medic                        5

A debut to forget for the towering Croat. Had two to three yards head start on Langstaff but decisively lost that leg race into the channel as the substitute slotted Alfie Doughty’s throughball.

Got away with a half-hearted attempt to deal with Josh Coburn’s flick that saw Mihailo Ivanovic cut the ball back for Femi Azeez to blaze over six yards out.

Less than convincing leg hung out failed to intercept Tristan Crama’s cross from the right despatched by Neghli. Barged to the floor by Jake Cooper in a first half altercation that ended with a yellow card for the Lions’ captain.

Harry Darling                       6

Central pivot in a defensive three. Slashed over on the half-volley from Jacob Wright’s early corner. Raking crossfield pass for Jack Stacey, who hooked back a deep cross that was clear. Excellent tracking to get a touch to Ivanovic’s shot in the 40th minute.

Costly aerial duel lost with Coburn on halfway that triggered the counter for Millwall’s opener. Good near post screening to intercept a Azeez cross, after he had escaped Jakov Medic’s attention.

Jose Cordoba                     6

Miscued clearance from Azeez’s cross presented Neghli with a clear sighter but did mop up after Vladan Kovacevic’s fine reaction stop.

Powerful leap above the protesting Ivanovic in the 34th minute won the ball, and applause from his head coach Manning. Another key headed flick took an inswinging delivery away from the head of Ivanovic early in the second half. Not able to get across to block Crama’s ball for the Millwall opener. 

Jack Stacey                         5

Faded along with Jeffrey Schlupp as the wing backs were unable to escape Millwall’s intense press to get City up the pitch, following the opening 25 minutes. Within the opening minute was up on the overlap but Steven Benda claimed his deep cross.

Linked well with Amankwah Forson and Josh Sargent down the right for Mirko Topic’s shot. Picked out again by Forson prior to the interval, but after beating his opponent the cross was smothered.

Mirko Topic                         6

Big show of faith from Manning to hand the Serbian midfield enforcer a full debut just days after his arrival. City boss revealed afterwards he wanted Topic’s physical presence to help deal with Millwall’s obvious set piece threat.

But his work in possession was the prominent feature in a bright first half. Capped by a driving 18th minute run and lay-off for Ante Crnac. Right footed effort from the edge of the area was deflected behind. Miscued later in the half on his left.

Jacob Wright                       6

Whipped a free kick over the wall in the 21st minute but collected by Benda, after he was initially upended by Billy Mitchell. Quick passage of play with Forson carved out a shooting chance for Topic.

 

Jeffrey Schlupp                  5

Looked like a player still getting up to speed after his recent free transfer arrival. Snapshot in the 10th minute rebounded for Topic to force a corner. That proved a rare foray in the Lions’ area. Millwall looked to target him aerially at the back post in that first half especially.

Swiped and missed a cross from Casper De Norre but timed his second attempt perfectly to make the interception.

Ante Crnac                           5

Big season for the attacker. Needs to build on his numbers in his debut campaign in England while developing a more consistent influence on this attacking unit. 

Offered and found by Topic in the 18th minute, but checked inside and the shooting chance was gone. Intelligent first time roll for Forson to get Stacey in on the overlap. Rare shooting chance blocked in the 68th minute from Sargent’s buccaneering run.

Amankwah Forson                        6

Made his mark in pre-season and rewarded with an advanced role tucked in behind Sargent. Showed up well in the early sparring but thereafter like Crnac became a peripheral figure.

Key role in the passing motion that released Topic in the 10th minute. The Serbian was then picked out again but dragged wide on his left. Hauled back by Japhet Tanganga to earn the game’s first caution for the Millwall defender.

Bent a free kick over Benda’s bar. Appeared to land awkwardly 10 minutes into the second period, and departed shortly after for Mathias Kvistgaarden. Assessment on-going with a midweek League Cup trip to Watford next up.

Josh Sargent                                   7

Shining light yet again. Persistence fashioned an equaliser out of nothing as he chased down Benda’s attempted clearance.

Tried to carry the fight from deep but increasingly isolated and forced to operate in his own half, or in wider areas. Manning was convinced man marker Cooper should have been dismissed after escaping a fifth minute booking for a prolonged shirt pull, before he  was eventually yellow carded.

Swivelling pass for Stacey to pick out Schlupp, and in turn Topic. Another clever piece of forward play to spin out of challenges and release Jose Cordoba. Whipped in a cross in the 65th minute that saw Kvistgaarden stab goalwards. Surging run over halfway saw the ball squirt to Crnac for another half-chance.

Subs:

Mathias Kvistgaarden (for Forson, 60)            6

Bright and injected some much-needed energy and dynamism in the final third. Attacked Sargent’s near post ball, and took a blow for his troubles in stabbing goalwards. Later burst down the left and his cut back forced Tanganga to concede a corner.

Marcelino Nunez (for Topic, 69)             5

Clattered on the edge of the box in the 78th minute but went for the reverse free kick through the Millwall wall.

Ben Chrisene (for Schlupp, 70)              5

Escaped detection to arrive at the back post but unable to adjust his feet in time to make contact with Wright’s dep centre.

Kellen Fisher (for Stacey, 84)                 n/a

Jovon Makama (for Crnac, 84)               n/a