Millwall Defeats Norwich 2-1 in Liam Manning Premier League Debut

Norwich City began the Liam Manning era with a 2-1 home defeat to Millwall, highlighting early challenges in adapting to Manning's tactical setup, including vulnerabilities to Millwall's physical and direct style of play. The team showed some promise with new signings like Vladan Kovacevic and Jakov Medic gaining experience, and Mathias Kvistgaarden showing potential in a second-half cameo, but defensive weaknesses and a lack of attacking threat in the second half were evident. Josh Sargent played a key role by scoring the equalizer, underscoring his importance to the team amid transfer uncertainties. Millwall’s Alex Neil, known for building resilient squads, exploited Norwich’s defensive lapses, with Camiel Neghli scoring the opening goal and Macauley Langstaff securing the winner. Fans expressed mixed reactions to the performance, acknowledging the tough start for Manning’s squad as they adjust to the Championship’s demands. The match also featured tactical nuances such as Norwich's 3-4-2-1 formation and Millwall's 4-1-3-2 high press, which influenced the flow of the game and Norwich’s possession build-up.