Norwich City and Brighton and Hove Albion will both look back on Saturday’s 0-0 draw as a blown chance to meet their season goals head-on at Carrow Road.
The countering Canaries blew numerous chances to score -- and get a first win of the season -- as they out-attempted Brighton 15-11 despite just 35 percent possession.
WATCH NORWICH CITY vs BRIGHTON LIVE STREAM - LINK
But USMNT winger Josh Sargent butchered two clear chances to turn his industry into goals and Teemu Pukki missed two less open but still very good chances as well.
Brighton just didn’t have it on the day and fails to take big advantage of Manchester United’s loss. The Seagulls sit fourth, three points back of leaders Liverpool.
Norwich City’s second point in eight games keeps it 20th, four points back of 17th-place Leeds.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
[nbcs_related_posts_module value="Premier League” label="Premier League
Norwich City vs Brighton final score, stats
Final score: Norwich City 0, Brighton 0
Scorers: None
Shots: Norwich City, 15-11
Shots on target: Even at 3
Possession: Brighton, 65%
Three things we learned from Norwich City vs Brighton
1. Sargent struggles, Pukki disappoints: The misses from Sargent were almost unfathomable, especially the first. The USMNT man harried goalkeeper Robert Sanchez into a huge error and tried to slot into a yawning goal from the corner of the 18, but his shot had little mustard and may’ve not crossed the line even if the intervening defender didn’t stop it. He’d mishit another when slotted through by Teemu Pukki, who missed two near-post chances of his own (See Thing No. 3).
2. Brighton dodge bullet but could’ve still had 3 points: Sixty-five percent of the ball against the league’s worst statistical team? It should’ve been better for a perceived top-half team with talent and direction to finish even higher, but the finish was again not there. Graham Potter will not be pleased.
3. Sanchez’s great save: You needed to watch the play on Pukki’s second miss to see that the Finnish star’s attempted chip of Robert Sanchez was tipped ever-so-slightly by the keeper, forcing the ball wide of the goal.
Man of the Match: Pierre Lees Melou
The Norwich City playmaker will hope to be the club’s next playmaker, but he flashed some grit in addition to what should’ve been an assist. Five tackles for the midfielder.
Norwich City team news, injuries, lineup
The Canaries won’t have Christoph Zimmermann and Todd Cantwell don’t pass fitness tests but Mathias Normann is ready to start. Sam Byram is out.
🚨 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) October 16, 2021
Unchanged from our draw at Burnley two weeks ago!#NCFC | #NORBHA pic.twitter.com/AfOVyJJuj9
Brighton team news, injuries, lineup
Danny Welbeck and Steven Alzate will miss this one.
Come on Albion! 👊 Here's today's XI to face Norwich City in the @PremierLeague. 📝
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 16, 2021
📲 https://t.co/S3j1TIedJv ✘ #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/aVtdKCarL3
Norwich City vs Brighton preview
It’s an all-bird battle when the Canaries of Norwich City host Brighton and Hove Albion’s Seagulls at Carrow Road on Saturday (start time 10am ET online via Peacock Premium).
Norwich has its first point but is still seeking its first win of the season, and will find a willing dance party for wide-open football in Brighton.
The Seagulls have looked very good this early season with four wins and two draws from their first seven games, and Graham Potter will be eyeing nothing less than a win against Daniel Farke’s men.
Odds and ends (full odds provided by our partner, PointsBet)
Norwich City pays +260 for a win and +230 for a draw, while a Brighton victory pays +106.
PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.
Prediction
Too much to ask for Norwich City, or is Brighton timed up for a letdown coming out of the break. This might be tighter than expected and a bit gritty at times, but Brighton will take another step toward realized potential. Norwich City 0-2 Brighton.