FootyChatter.com

Mohamed Toure celebrates scoring on his Norwich debut Mohamed Toure's debut goal helped Norwich City beat Blackburn Rovers to continue their revival under Philippe Clement and climb further away from the Championship drop zone. The relegation showdown at Carrow Road was a no-score bore until Anis Ben Slimane broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute with the game's first shot on target. Slimane's fourth goal in five games broke Blackburn's stubborn resistance and Toure added a second six minutes later after great work by fellow substitute Oscar Schwartau. Norwich's fourth win in five league games takes them four points clear of the bottom three before the afternoon kick-offs, while Blackburn, under caretaker boss Damien Johnson, are out of the relegation places on goal difference. The Canaries have been transformed under former Rangers boss Clement and the Belgian coach has presided over eight wins and three draws from his 16 league games in charge. Clement has also cured Norwich's home sickness and they have won five of their eight league games at Carrow Road after failing to record a single victory under previous manager Ryan Manning in the first three months of the season. Neither side managed an effort on target in a wretched first half, with Norwich's Ruairi Mc Conville heading over and Jacob Wright seeing a shot headed clear by Blackburn's Hayden Carter. The hosts suffered a blow when 13-goal top scorer Jovon Makama went off injured after the break to be replaced by Australia striker Toure, a £2. 6m signing from Danish side Randers, who came on for his debut. Schwartau sparked the game into life, and after his 25-yard drive came off the post, Slimane was on hand to finish from 12 yards out. Finally, Norwich played with some confidence and Schwartau capitalised on a Blackburn slip to force a save from Rovers goalkeeper Balazs Toth and Toure volleyed the loose ball into the empty net. Norwich will hope Toure can kick on with American striker Josh Sargent exiled to the under-21s after his fall-out with the club over a move to Toronto FC. Norwich boss Philippe Clement told BBC Radio Norfolk: "All credit for the hard work and organisation of Blackburn today, they did everything to stop us. "Also in December, they had a zero-zero at Middlesbrough so it's not a surprise to us that they could defend like they did. But in the end, we were the team who were dominant today. Although the start of the game was, for me, not good enough, but we dominated the game and we deserve to win. "We had the most chances. We almost didn't concede any chances in this game. So that's a real positive. " On Papa Diallo and Jovon Makama's injuries: "Papa could not start the game, so that doesn't look good, and also Jovon not. That was a really unlucky one, stepping on somebody's arm or hand in a duel and then twisting his leg. So let's see the next couple of days and I can only hope and pray. " Blackburn caretaker boss Damien Johnson told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Obviously I'm very disappointed with the result. Overall, for 70, 75 minutes or whatever it was, there wasn't a lot on it. "I thought we were in the game and we had some opportunities, second-half opportunities, first-half, in terms of our crosses, territory and momentum. We obviously knew Norwich would have some moments as well. "I think we were punished for just for two moments, a poor header and then just a slip, which can happen, so overall, disappointed. "We nullified them for large parts. You can't think they had many clear-cut chances and I don't remember Balazs making too many saves. So, of course, it's frustrating. But in football, you're playing against good sides and you can get punished as we were today. " This video can not be played Johnson: 'It's frustrating. .. but it's football' After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 7th February 2026 at 15: 52 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Philippe Clement Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Damien Johnson Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Philippe Clement Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Damien Johnson Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Following their 2-0 win in August, Norwich are looking to complete the league double over Blackburn for the first time since 2018-19. Six of Blackburn’s last 10 away league games against Norwich have finished in draws (W2 L2), with both teams scoring in nine of those 10 meetings. Norwich have won five of their last eight league games (L3), more than they had in their first 22 this season (W4 D6 L12). Blackburn are winless in their last six away league games (D3 L3), having won five of their first eight on the road this term (L3). Norwich’s Jovon Makama is the youngest player (recently turned 22) to score 10 goals in the Championship this season. Match ends, Norwich City 2, Blackburn Rovers 0. Second Half ends, Norwich City 2, Blackburn Rovers 0. Attempt blocked. Mohamed Touré (Norwich City) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mathias Kvistgaarden. Foul by Oscar Schwartau (Norwich City). Moussa Baradji (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Oscar Schwartau (Norwich City). Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. Offside, Norwich City. Oscar Schwartau is caught offside. Foul by Mathias Kvistgaarden (Norwich City). Oladapo Afolayan (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt blocked. Mohamed Touré (Norwich City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Todd Cantwell (Blackburn Rovers) is shown the yellow card. Eiran Cashin (Blackburn Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Mathias Kvistgaarden (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Eiran Cashin (Blackburn Rovers). Corner, Norwich City. Conceded by Connor O'Riordan. Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Mathias Jørgensen replaces Yuki Ohashi. Sam Field (Norwich City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Sam Field (Norwich City). Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.