Norwich win away at Portsmouth

Vladan Kovacevic starred as Norwich City beat Portsmouth 2-1 away, securing their first league win of the season.

Kovacevic shines as Norwich win at Portsmouth

Norwich City secured a 2-1 victory at Portsmouth thanks to a standout performance from goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic. He made a crucial early save to deny Regan Poole and watched Josh Sargent score the second, as Norwich controlled the tempo at Fratton Park before facing a late penalty scare. Colby Bishop's spot-kick saved by Kovacevic would have changed the game, but the visitors held firm and collected the three points.

The game showed Norwich adopting a pragmatic approach, defending deep when needed and using long balls to relieve pressure. Their 2,000 travelling fans helped create a strong atmosphere on the road, and Kovacevic looked more confident and commanding than in his debut against Millwall. The victory continues Norwich’s positive run away from home and adds to the early-season narrative of a squad learning to win tight contests.

Vladan Kovacevic’s rise is a clear thread in Norwich’s start to the campaign. A goalkeeper can transform a season when confidence and communication click with the back line, and he appears to be building that trust. His penalty save turned a potential momentum swing in Portsmouth’s favor into a firm statement that Norwich can win without spectacular attacking explosions.

This win also highlights a broader tension in Norwich’s approach: how far they can lean on defense and set-piece discipline while still producing moments of quality in attack. The team’s ability to manage games on the road matters as the schedule tightens, and Kovacevic’s form could shape how far Marcus Christenson’s side can push themselves this season. The readjustment under pressure will be tested in the coming fixtures, but this shows the squad can grind out results when needed.

Highlights

Momentum matters in this league, and Norwich has started to show it on the road.