Norwich City 1-1 Bristol City: Borja Sainz analysed

The Norwich City winger has been a vital presence as the Canaries have flown from 17th in the Championship to sixth and tightened their grip on the play-off place so many desperately crave.

He’s earned praise from fans, colleagues, coaches and pundits alike for his enthralling blend of aggression, enthusiasm, fitness, talent and hard work. 

He’s done enough to give David Wagner a skull-splitting headache over how to include English under-21 international Jonathan Rowe, making his services invaluable and irreplaceable despite pressure from the 20-year-old.

He’s become a symbol of the fight and desire Wagner wants to epitomise his team, celebrating throw-ins and sprinting like his life depends on it to engage Norwich’s press.

But he hasn’t always found the end product.

The Spaniard’s total of eight goals and two assists is no modest contribution by second tier standards, but for someone vital to a team currently in the Premier League promotion race  feels low.

The Robins’ Carrow Road visit felt like the reverse of that for Sainz. His usual constant involvement was curtailed somewhat as Liam Manning’s side suppressed attempts to get forward and guided the ball down their left when it failed to, but he popped up with the moment he’s lacked so often to put the cherry on a good performance cake.

The simplicity of the finish that took understated how intelligent the move was; while Josh Sargent’s run and Gabriel Sara’s pass will be singled out for praise, Sainz’s parallel dart gave the American an easy way to ensure the hosts equaliser almost immediately.

That can be the difference between an important goal in Norwich’s play-off push and Mark Sykes’ drab dink when he went through on goal, even if Sargent’s finishing ability suggests that likelihood was remote.

There are, of course, questions over whether Sainz was offside when the number nine handed him a goal on a plate, and replays show that the hosts may have been slightly lucky in that scenario. Had the assistant referee raised his flag there's no doubt the duo would still be kicking themselves now.

But given the bad luck and poor decisions that have gone against Wagner's side at times this season, they'll feel no shame in how the equaliser unfolded.

Sainz combined well with Borja Sainz for the equaliser (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Even on a relatively quiet afternoon there were flashes of brilliance and moments of danger from Sainz, who consistently struck fear into visiting right-sided centre-back George Tanner on the rare occasions he was able to run at him.

In the 26th minute he fired a snapshot goalward after Jack Stacey's deflected cross fell to him, but couldn't get enough power behind it to seriously worry goalkeeper Max O'Leary. Shortly before his 58th-minute goal he whipped a fierce ball across the face of goal with no takers, and afterwards he helped McCallum do the same.

Combine that with all the hard out-of-possession work he got through and by any usual standard it would be a busy afternoon. But Sainz has set a high bar in his first six months of English football action, and Liam Manning's system supressed his attacking desires well.

Adding to his goal tally for the season is a good sign, however, and Norwich's ability to score goals from almost every area of their squad is continuing to expand.

At his best this season the 23-year-old has combined both; goal contributions and regular involvement in general play. Consistency is the barrier between status as a reliable regular starter and a star man, but he's shown once again how capable he is.

Verdict: Not as involved as he would have liked, with Bristol City stopping Norwich playing through their press and Jack Stacey a more regular marauder and Sainz's fellow left-flanker Sam McCallum struggling to get on the ball and feed him. Scored a vital goal nonetheless, and looked a threat when he got the chance.

Rating: Seven out of ten.