Sargent's Late Winner

The Striker Picked Up Where He Left Off in the Championship by Scoring Lone Goal in Norwich Victory

Josh Sargent delivered a dramatic stoppage-time winner for Norwich City, securing a crucial 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Carrow Road that maintained the Canaries' slim Championship playoff hopes.

The American international showcased his composure in the second minute of added time when West Brom lost possession in midfield. Sargent seized the opportunity, racing down the right flank before holding off defender Kyle Bartley and coolly slotting past goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith for his 13th goal of an impressive campaign.

Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn preserved the victory with a spectacular save to deny Bartley's header in the final moments, with substitute Ruairi McConville completing the defensive heroics by clearing a follow-up attempt off the goal line.

The winner represents Sargent's 18th goal contribution in just 25 Championship matches this season, continuing his excellent form despite recently clarifying comments about his future that had concerned Norwich supporters. During the international break, an interview in The Guardian suggested he might be considering a summer departure, but Sargent has since emphasized his happiness at Carrow Road.

"I'm pretty sure in the first half of that interview I said, 'I have a contract here at Norwich.' I'm very happy. My family's very happy here," Sargent explained after the match. "It was in no way saying that I'm definitely gone at the end of the season."

Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his team's performance: "We have been on the wrong end of the result in quite a few 50/50 games this season, so it was good to be on the right side this time."

The victory moved Norwich to 10th in the Championship table, just five points behind sixth-placed West Brom, as the season enters its final stages.

Despite his club success, Sargent faces uncertainty regarding his international future. He struggled to make an impact during the recent CONCACAF Nations League semifinals against Panama and didn't feature in the third-place match. The American striker hasn't scored for his national team since November 2019, potentially complicating his prospects with the 2026 World Cup approaching.