adminNorwich City 1-1 Oxford: Philippe Clement Championship view
Clement Reflects on Late Heartbreak as Norwich Held to 1-1 Draw by Oxford United
Philippe Clement admitted Norwich City were left to rue missed chances after conceding a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser in a 1-1 Championship draw with Oxford United at Carrow Road on Tuesday night.
The Canaries looked on course for their first competitive home win of the season in Clement’s Carrow Road debut, with Jovon Makama’s first-half strike appearing enough to edge a cagey contest. But failure to convert further opportunities proved costly, as Filip Krastev struck in the 95th minute to steal a point for Gary Rowett’s struggling Oxford side.
Makama Breaks Through Before Missed Chances Prove Costly
Norwich started brightly and were rewarded shortly before the interval. Makama reacted sharply in the box to turn home after sustained pressure, giving the home crowd hope that Clement’s era was finally set to ignite on home turf.
Clement insisted the goal should have been the foundation for a more comfortable victory.
> “We controlled long spells and created enough to kill the game,” he said. “At this level, if you don’t take your chances, you leave the door open — and we were punished.”
Norwich pushed for a second after the break, with chances falling to Makama again and Gabriel Sara, but Oxford goalkeeper Jamie Cumming kept his side in the game.
Oxford Snatch Late Leveler
With seconds remaining, a hopeful ball into the area fell kindly for Krastev, who stabbed home from close range to send the travelling supporters into delirium and deny Norwich a vital three points.
Rowett, whose side remain in the lower reaches of the table, hailed his team’s resilience, calling the draw “a massive moment” in their fight for survival.
Concern Over Topic Injury
Adding to Norwich’s frustration was a worrying update on midfielder Mirko Topic, who limped off during the second half.
Clement confirmed early assessments offered little optimism.
> “It doesn’t look good,” he admitted. “We will need scans, but the first feeling from the medical staff is not positive. That’s a big blow because Mirko has been important for the balance of the team.”
Further clarity is expected later in the week.
Jurasek Sub Explained
Supporters were also left puzzled when substitute Matej Jurasek, introduced late on, was withdrawn again before full-time. Clement moved quickly to clarify the decision, insisting it was tactical rather than disciplinary or fitness-related.
> “Matej came on to give us energy and help defensively on their right side,” he explained. “But when Oxford changed shape, we needed a different profile and fresh legs. It was nothing against him — just a reaction to the game.”
Clement Demands Ruthlessness
While the Belgian acknowledged improvements in performance, he stressed that Norwich cannot afford repeat lapses.
> “There are positives — the structure, the aggression, the fans behind us — but we need to be killers,” he said. “One moment shouldn’t destroy all the work we put in, but it has cost us two points.”
The draw leaves Norwich still searching for momentum under their new head coach, while Oxford head back to the Kassam boosted by a valuable late escape.
Clement will now turn his attention to this weekend’s fixture, with fitness concerns mounting and pressure growing to convert encouraging displays into victories.
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