Bristol City fans turned on manager Michael Skubala as Norwich made it nine goals in successive away victories with a 5-0 Sky Bet Championship win at Ashton Gate.
The Canaries took a 22nd-minute lead when Paris Maghoma picked up the ball 40 yards out and ran forward unchallenged before placing a low right-footed shot past Brad Collins from the left side of the box.
It was 2-0 in the 53rd minute, Jason Knight’s mistimed header inside his own penalty area directing the ball to Harry Darling who coolly nodded it over Collins’ despairing dive.
Three minutes later Maghoma turned provider, pulling a low cross back for Andre Brooks to fire home a third. There were still 20 minutes left when substitute Jovon Makama turned in an Anthony Musaba cross.
Mathias Kvistgaarden of Norwich City celebrates scoring
Mathias Kvistgaarden added the fifth with an 80th-minute penalty after being pulled down by Lisav Eissat as home fans chanted ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ in the direction of Skubala, whose team have already suffered five home league defeats this season.
Bristol City made two changes from the midweek home defeat by Wolves, bringing in Rob Dickie and Adam Randell for Luke McNally and Sam Bell, while the Norwich starting line-up showed one change from the 4-0 rout of Derby, Ben Chrisene replacing Darlin Yongwa.
The visitors had the better of a scrappy first half littered with misplaced passes – particularly by the home side – and notable for only two clear chances.
Norwich grabbed theirs through Maghoma, while the Robins were left to rue a glaring miss by Scott Twine after 31 minutes when the midfielder should have levelled things up.
George Tanner’s long throw from the right was headed on into the path of Twine, who contrived to volley straight at Dan Grimshaw from six yards, the goalkeeper saving with a foot when he should have been given no chance.
The Robins left the field to boos from their fans at the half-time whistle, while the large contingent of Norwich supporters who had got up early for the 12.30pm kick-off could reflect on a solid display from their team.
The hosts made a change at the break, sending on Jed Wallace for Cam Pring, and began brightly, Knight heading over from a Rio Cardines corner and then shooting over the crossbar from distance.
At the other end, Jacob Wright saw a curling effort from 25 yards go past the wrong side of a post before two goals in quick succession put Norwich in complete command.
Collins saved well from Wright, while Maghoma and Musaba shot narrowly over as Bristol began to look vulnerable to every attack. Dom Ballard had an effort cleared off the line at the death to complete a nightmare day for his team and Skubala.
The managers
Bristol City head coach Michael Skubala:
“The first thing I have to do is apologise to our fans because the second half is not good enough, from me or the players. It was an unacceptable performance.
“It’s the first massive blow like that I have had in my career and it really hurts. It’s the job of the manager to wear it at times like this and the only thing you can do is work harder.
“Our away form this season has been good and I’m at a loss to explain why we are finding it so hard at home.
“There was nothing in the first half. They scored with their only attempt and we missed a great chance to equalise. That’s how it is going at the moment.
“After the second goal we capitulated. I need to look at myself and at the players and we all need to take a look in the mirror.
“We have two weeks now to work hard and look to the future. The international break offers an opportunity to solve some big problems.
“I still believe I can take this club to where we want to be, but this game can hit you in the face really hard and that has happened today.”
Norwich head coach Philippe Clement:
“We are growing by the week. I am seeing boys becoming men, with clear signs of evolution from so many of our young players.
“That’s what we need if we are to get to where we want to be. We want to play attacking football, with goals coming from all over the pitch, not just from our attacking players.
“I am proud of the intensity, the discipline and the quality on the ball we are displaying. The players are hungry and full of desire.
“In all 11 positions we had players making a difference today and when that happens you have a good team.
“We scored five goals and kept a clean sheet, but the best thing of all for me was to see after the game the joy from the whole squad, even those players not involved. That is a big sign that it will be a good season.
“Our supporters are also playing their part. It was a tremendous following for such a long trip and early kick-off today. They stayed behind us when things were not going so well and that is so important.”
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