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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. Watch Canary Call after Norwich City v Bristol City Championship 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 Mc Crorie 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 Mc Crorie'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. 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. " This video can not be played 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. " This video can not be played Gerhard Struber: "The boys left everything on the field" After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 18th October 2025 at 19: 49 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Liam Manning Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Gerhard Struber Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Liam Manning Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Gerhard Struber Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Norwich City lost home (0-2) and away (1-2) to Bristol City in the Championship last season, after only losing one of their previous 14 league encounters before then (W9 D4). Bristol City could record successive away wins in the league at Norwich City for only the second time, previously doing so in February 2009. Since the start of April, only Sheffield United (12) have lost more Championship league games than Norwich City (9) and only Sheffield Wednesday (29) have shipped more goals than the Canaries (28). Bristol City are one of three sides unbeaten away from home in the Championship this season (W2 D2), along with Coventry and Millwall. The Robins’ last away defeat came under current Norwich manager Liam Manning, losing 4-0 at champions Leeds in April. Josh Sargent scored in each of his first four Championship games this season, netting five goals. Since then, he’s failed to score in five appearances in a row, last going more without a goal between February and April 2023 (7 games). Match ends, Norwich City 0, Bristol City 1. Second Half ends, Norwich City 0, Bristol City 1. Pelle Mattsson (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Zak Vyner (Bristol City). Foul by Pelle Mattsson (Norwich City). Sinclair Armstrong (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time. Pelle Mattsson (Norwich City) is shown the yellow card. Attempt missed. Pelle Mattsson (Norwich City) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is too high. Attempt missed. Emil Riis (Bristol City) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by George Tanner with a cross. Attempt saved. Jack Stacey (Norwich City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Radek Vítek (Bristol City). Assisted by Ante Crnac. Jovon Makama (Norwich City) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Mark Sykes (Bristol City). Offside, Norwich City. Josh Sargent is caught offside. Attempt missed. George Tanner (Bristol City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a corner. Attempt blocked. Zak Vyner (Bristol City) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Attempt blocked. Zak Vyner (Bristol City) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Josh Sargent. Attempt blocked. Neto Borges (Bristol City) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mark Sykes. Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Vladan Kovacevic. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
