Norwich City are steadily finding their rhythm under head coach Philippe Clement, as evidenced by their 1-0 victory against Charlton Athletic at Carrow Road on Boxing Day. This win marks the Canaries' third consecutive home triumph, a remarkable turnaround from their earlier struggles, where they suffered defeats in their first seven matches on home soil. Read more about Makama Shines as Canaries Target Championship Glory.
Jovon Makama once again shone as the standout performer, netting the decisive goal in the 61st minute. The young forward has been in exceptional form, scoring four goals in his last three appearances. His growing confidence is particularly notable as he steps up in the absence of Josh Sargent, who is currently recovering from concussion. Makama's goal showcased his skill and strength; he expertly controlled a cross from substitute Jacob Wright before unleashing a shot that left Charlton’s goalkeeper, Thomas Kaminski, with no chance.
Clement expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "I get my fuel from what the players do on the pitch and seeing them improve as they have done recently... To be here on Boxing Day, in front of a full house with the players getting a deserved win - that is the reason you do the job." He also highlighted the importance of achieving a clean sheet, the team's first since August, and emphasised the need for ongoing development: "I think the squad is not at its full potential yet, and it’s about the players continuing to work hard and growing as individuals."
Norwich controlled the match for the most part, creating a multitude of chances, although they faced a resilient defensive display from Charlton. The visitors managed only a single shot on target throughout the encounter, prompting their assistant manager, Curtis Fleming, to lament the team's performance: "Obviously the lads missed Nathan out there, he is a big presence on the touchline... It was disappointing that they were not the best version of themselves out there today."
With this victory, Norwich now find themselves just one point shy of safety, marking a significant turnaround since Clement's appointment, which has revitalised a squad that previously struggled. The atmosphere within Carrow Road has also improved, with supporters beginning to witness a cohesive team effort.
Reflecting on the match, defender Harry Darling remarked, "It’s not been easy, but I think the fans can start to see probably a little bit of a turn in the performances." He highlighted the importance of both the victory and the clean sheet, adding, "We haven’t had one for... since Blackburn away, which is obviously not good enough for Norwich."
As the festive season progresses, the Canaries will look to build on this positive momentum, with upcoming fixtures providing a vital opportunity to create further distance from the relegation zone.