Norwich City

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There have been plenty of contentious decisions in the 2025-26 Championship season so far.

Offside goals given, perfectly good goals ruled out, red card offences missed, penalties not given, dubious spot-kicks awarded. You name it.

With the video assistant referee (VAR) only used for the play-off final, the outcome of every second-tier game in the regular season can hinge on how on-field officials see incidents in real time.

• Would you want VAR introduced for every league game in the Championship?

• If so, why?

• And if not, let us know your reasons.

You can share your thoughts on VAR here or comment below, and we will publish a follow-up article soon with a selection of your responses.

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Norwich youngsters Harmony Okwumo and Brandon Forbes have joined National League North side King's Lynn Town on short-term loans.

Okwumo, 20, joined The Canaries from Charlton Athletic and Forbes from Dundee United in the summer of 2024.

Forbes, 19, made three appearances during a loan spell at Tamworth at the start of the year.

Both have played for Norwich's Under-21 side this season.

Rob Butler
BBC Radio Norfolk Canary Call, presenter

Norwich City head to Southampton on Wednesday (19:45 GMT) knowing a win could boost their chances of making a late push for the Championship play-offs.

Head coach Philippe Clement has been speaking to the media before the game and here are some of the key points:

• Defender Ben Chrisene is "a bit better" after limping off against Preston. Clement says it's not a 'long-term' hamstring injury.

• Northern Ireland international Ruairi McConville will be assessed on Wednesday. The defender has missed the last two games with a knee problem.

• Goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw is still out and will definitely miss the match.

• Clement said his team struggled with defending set-pieces in the win against Preston, but he said it is "not a major issue".

• On Southampton: "They still have the parachute payments and their ambition is to go up directly. It's a need for them to be in the play-offs."

• Clement said he nearly signed as a player for Southampton and was a big fan of Saints legend Matthew Le Tissier.

You can listen to full live commentary of Southampton v Norwich City with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB. Coverage starts at 19:00 GMT on Wednesday.

Marc Webber
BBC Final Score reporter

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The former First Lady of Argentina, Evita Peron, once said: "Time is my greatest enemy."

And that may be the case when it comes to Norwich City getting into the play-offs.

It is absolutely still possible for the side that was languishing in the relegation zone just a few months ago to make a late rally into the top six. They are nine points behind Wrexham with nine games left to play.

And with their stellar performances under Philippe Clement (11 league wins out of 14 in 2026 so far), added to the fact we all know one club makes a late rally for a play-off spot every season, the disbelief is now turning to delirium at Carrow Road.

Some fans had already started planning their 2027 away days to Plymouth and Barnsley because the early season form was so poor. Now those satnavs are tentatively being asked for the directions to Old Trafford and Anfield.

The problem is, there is only a month and a half of the season left, and tricky fixtures lie ahead - including Millwall, Derby, Hull and the East Anglian Derby with Ipswich.

Even if they manage wins against those title-chasing opponents, Norwich may still require snookers by way of bad form from the other teams above them to sneak in.

It might be a few games too late for them. But if they do make the play-offs, would you want to face them in such incredible form?

Norwich City skipper Kenny McLean says they are now a team others are worried about facing after his brilliant free-kick helped them to a 2-0 win against Preston North End.

A fourth successive victory took The Canaries past 50 points, the total many regard as making a team safe from the threat of relegation, having been next to bottom when head coach Philippe Clement took over in November.

"You can look at it that way [safety], or you can look at it as we're growing, we're building, we're getting better - there's still growth in us, and we'll continue to get better, we'll continue to improve, we're desperate to get better," Scotland international McLean told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"It's not about looking at the table and saying what we want to achieve, we want to get better as a squad, as individuals and as a club. We want to keep pushing in the right direction, and that's what we're doing, so as long as we keep focusing on that, we'll find ourselves in a good position.

"We didn't start the season well enough; we're now building a bit of momentum; we're going well - we're not a team people want to come up against right now, and that's down to the hard work we're putting in."

On his 20-yard free-kick goal, McLean said: "Not too many times have I had the opportunity from there. I've allowed others to take that responsibility, but it was about time I stepped up, and I think I'll do so more often. We have had a few this season and nobody stuck it away, so that's my call now, I'll be on them.

"We do a lot on set pieces. Nick [Stanley] works so hard with his team, and it is something he'll look at: different takers from different ranges, different corner takers for different deliveries.

"He'll put [a list of] takers up in the changing room, and then a lot of the time I'll decide what goes on on the pitch. I want others to step up and have the confidence and the responsibility to do that, and [normally] if they do, I'm more than happy to give them it - but maybe not now."

Norwich are away to Southampton on Wednesday evening, and another win would see them climb into the Championship's top 10.

Southampton could book a place in the play-offs when they host Norwich City on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

Should Wrexham fail to take any points away at Watford on Tuesday, the door will open for the Saints to take their sixth placed spot thanks to a superior goal difference.

However, Norwich's form under boss Philippe Clement has seen them rise from the relegation zone to just nine points under the Red Dragons and with a four-match winning streak to extend, beating the Canaries will be no easy task.

• Southampton are winless in their last three league meetings with Norwich City (D2 L1), since a 2-0 victory in the Premier League in February 2022.

• After a 1-0 victory in January 2008, Norwich City are winless in their eight league visits to Southampton since (D3 L5), conceding 20 goals in that run (2.5 per game).

• Southampton have lost only one of their 11 home league games under Tonda Eckert (W7 D3), winning three of their last four matches since a 1-2 loss to Hull City in January. Indeed, only Ipswich Town (0) have lost fewer home games in the Championship in that time.

• Norwich City have won five of their last six away league games (L1), as many as in their previous 33 matches (D12 L16), while they could record three successive away league clean sheets for the first time since January 2018 (4).

• Southampton's Finn Azaz has four goal involvements in six previous league appearances against Norwich City (3 goals, 1 assist)

Norwich City head coach Philippe Clement has said he is pleased with his side's "mentality" following their 2-0 win over Preston North End on Saturday.

First half goals from Ali Ahmed and Kenny McLean were enough for the Canaries to see out the Rams at Carrow Road, continuing their recent fine form.

The win against Preston marked their fourth consecutive victory in the Championship.

"We played a good first half with two good goals," said Clement to BBC Radio Norfolk.

"We had a few other really good actions where we could have scored. The second half was more scrappy because of the way that Preston pressed and played one against one with a lot of duels and the moment we passed them, they made fouls and that stopped the game.

"You don't get a game with fluent football. We had, for me, too many chances or half chances against us, mostly from set pieces and long balls and fights like that so that's something to talk about for the next few days.

"It's really good, the resilience that the team shows, keeping the clean sheet, winning at home again, again no goals against, scoring two good goals and having other good opportunities.

"So I think all our fans have to be really pleased about the mentality that the team is showing."

Preston North End will be seeking an end to their winless spell when they face their table neighbours Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Just one point separates Preston from the Canaries in the midtable.

But while the hosts are on a three-match winning streak, the visitors will be looking for their first victory in seven league games (D2 L4).

• Norwich City have won two of their last 10 league games against Preston North End (D5 L3) and are winless in three (D2 L1).

• Following a 1-0 win there in 2024-25, Preston are looking for consecutive away league wins against Norwich for the first time ever.

• Norwich City have lost nine of their 14 league games this season than have kicked off at 3pm on a Saturday (W3 D2).

• Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom is unbeaten in his last five league games against Norwich City (W2 D3) since a 2-1 loss with Leeds in April 2018.

• Preston's Brad Potts has been involved in two goals in his last four Championship games against Norwich City (1 goal, 1 assist), with an assist for their 90th minute equaliser in the first fixture this season.

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Southampton's Tonda Eckert and Millwall's Femi Azeez have won the Championship's manager and player of the month awards for February.

Saints took 13 points from a possible 15 as they went unbeaten last month, finishing with successive wins over QPR and Sheffield Wednesday to move into play-off contention.

Eckert was appointed Southampton's permanent head coach in December having been in interim charge when Will Still was sacked at the start of November.

He has won 12 of his 23 league games, taking the south coast club from 21st place to the race for a top-six finish.

Coventry City's Frank Lampard, Philippe Clement of Norwich City and Millwall boss Alex Neil were also nominated for the manager of the month award.

Though the Lions did win through winger Femi Azeez, who took home the player award after helping the side to win four of their five games in February.

The 24-year-old made five goal contributions, striking a superb volley to open the scoring against Birmingham in their 3-0 win at the Den.

Saints midfielder Leo Scienza was also up for the player award, alongside Sheffield United midfielder Sydie Peck and Sky Blues striker Haji Wright.

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Norwich City boss Philippe Clement, Southampton's Tonda Eckert, Frank Lampard of Coventry City and Millwall head coach Alex Neil have been nominated for the Championship's manager of the month award for February.

The Canaries won four of their five league games last month to move comfortably clear of the relegation zone.

Southampton have climbed to within three points of the play-off places after 13 points from an unbeaten February which included coming from 3-0 down to beat Leicester City 4-3.

Coventry City lost the leadership of the Championship when they opened the month with a draw against Oxford United, but four consecutive wins, followed by back-to-back victories in March, means they are now eight points clear at the top.

Millwall also collected four wins from their five games, including victories at play-off rivals Wrexham and Preston.

The winner of the February award will be revealed on Friday, 13 March.

Image source, Rex Features

Norwich City head coach Philippe Clement has hailed his side's second half performance following their 2-1 home win against Sheffield United on Wednesday.

The Canaries were down a goal at the break thanks to Blades' Jair Riedewald volley on the 20th minute.

But a corner goal from Jack Stacey and a first time finish from Amankwah Forson, struck in the final 10 minutes sealed a memorable comeback win at Carrow Road.

"We knew it was a big task and I was not satisfied after this first half," Clement told BBC Radio Norfolk after the match.

"We were maybe too much in a rush, too nervous, maybe with too much will to score the goal and then they got transition moments.

"But it was good that we could turn it around at half-time. In the second half, the reaction of the team was brilliant.

"Very good football domination, taking these transitions out, creating a lot of chances, scoring two beautiful goals and managing the game also in the last minutes.

"A really, really good performance from the team in the second half."

Phil Daley
Sports Editor, BBC Norfolk

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich City head coach Philippe Clement has spoken to the media before the Canaries' Championship match against Sheffield United on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

Here are some of the key points:

• Goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw is not available because of a calf injury he picked up against Leeds United on Sunday in the FA Cup.

• Midfielder Pelle Mattsson has trained well as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury and could feature in the squad.

• Clement has said Mo Toure (groin) and Oscar Schwartau (hamstring) should be back available after this month's international break.

• On the FA Cup defeat to Leeds, Clement discussed how far his team have come since he arrived last year, but how far they still have to go to have the quality of a Premier League side.

• On Sheffield United, he said: "They bought several experienced guys in this January, but play in a similar style to when we played them before. They are still ambitious to go to the play-offs. They play direct, vertical, so we know what they will bring, so it's down to us to stop them and get the three points."

You can listen to full live commentary of Norwich City v Sheffield United with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB and online from 19:00 GMT on Wednesday.

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Norwich City captain Kenny McLean has said he will be staying with the Championship club next season.

The 34-year-old Scotland international told BBC Radio Norfolk that an option to extend his deal had been taken up.

McLean made his 300th appearance for the Canaries in their FA Cup defeat at Leeds United on Sunday.

"I didn't want any attention on me. But yes, I'll be here next season," he said.

McLean revealed the news on a special edition of The Scrimmage podcast.

He said the decision to take up the final year of his contract was made during the reign of manager Johannes Hoff Thorup, who was sacked in April 2025.

"We've triggered that year. That was under Johannes. I didn't think it was necessary to announce [at the time]."

McLean also said he and his team-mates were determined to maintain their form under current boss Philippe Clement, who has won 11 of his 20 league games since replacing Liam Manning in November 2025, into next season.

"The way we've gone over the last few months with the manager, the form table would tell you that we should be challenging," he said.

"Norwich are a club where that should always be the ambition - it was at the start of the season, we put ourselves in a difficult position. But everything is in place. It's down to us as players to be better consistently."

Image source, Opta

Norwich City return to Championship action on Wednesday (19:45 GMT) after exiting the FA Cup with a 3-0 loss at Leeds United on Sunday.

The Canaries are yet to draw a league game in 2026, while Sheffield United head to Norfolk having gone unbeaten in their past three away games.

• Norwich are winless in their past 10 league games against Sheffield United (D4 L6) since a 1-0 win at Bramall Lane in September 2017.

• Sheffield United are unbeaten in their past five away league games against Norwich (W3 D2), having lost five in a row at Carrow Road before this.

• Norwich have won eight of their 11 league games so far in 2026 (L3), with no Championship side winning more this year.

• Sheffield United have won their past two away league games without conceding. They last won three in a row to nil in October/November 2022.

• Norwich's Anis Ben Slimane has been involved in six goals in nine English league games in 2026 (5 goals, 1 assist), more than he had in 2023, 2024 and 2025 combined (2 goals, 2 assists in 53 games).

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Norwich City defender Ruairi McConville admitted they had not done themselves justice as a team in their 3-0 FA Cup defeat at Leeds United.

Premier League Leeds proved too strong at Elland Road and advanced into the sixth round following goals from Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Joel Piroe.

"We've been playing well and were confident coming into the game, optimistic and excited about the opportunity," McConville said.

"We gave them easy goals [in the first half], two similar goals that we shouldn't be giving away, we came out in the second half and tried to give it our all but came up short.

"It's a missed opportunity - obviously Leeds are a great side and punished us - but it's something we'll look back on and learn from.

"We've got so much quality in the group, we knew we had every chance of getting a result but came up short."

McConville said experiencing VAR again had been "weird", adding: "There's obviously a lot of waiting around, but it's clearly the way the game's going so you have to get on with it."

Norwich return to league action on Wednesday with a home game against Sheffield United (19:45 GMT).

"We still have a job to do in the league, so we have to put this to one side. We've got to keep ourselves fit because there's still so much to play for and be ready for what's to come," McConville added.

Pundits Ellen White and Glenn Murray join host Kelly Somers to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday and Sunday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Port Vale 1-0 Sunderland

• Fulham 0-1 Southampton

• Leeds 3-0 Norwich

• Wrexham 2-3 Chelsea

• Newcastle 1-3 Man City

• Mansfield Town 1-2 Arsenal

• Wolves 1-3 Liverpool