The Canaries registered consecutive wins for the primary time beneath Johannes Hoff Thorup, taking their Championship tally to 11 factors within the course of.
However the victory wasn’t with out its drama, the primary of Sainz’s match-winning hat-trick the topic of indignant refereeing debate.
Metropolis began poorly, and their hosts ought to have had the lead inside two minutes. Former Ipswich attacker Kayden Jackson had the sport’s first actual likelihood when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing discovered him in area, however linked poorly and dragged extensive.
That appeared to wake Thorup’s males up, and earlier than lengthy they have been within the ascendancy. Jose Cordoba was the primary to achieve a sight of aim, however he could not hold his header down.
The sport rapidly quietened from there, a holding sample setting in and the tempo of play lowering. Sainz hit a low half-volley and Kenzo Goudmijn had a shot from distance, however neither discovered their desired goal.
Simply when it regarded like that sample would proceed into the break, Sainz discovered the opener. It got here in controversial circumstances, Sargent’s help out of play in line with the Rams, however the aim stood.
That meant Derby needed to chase the sport because the second half, and 16 minutes into it they equalised. Craig Forsyth was the beneficiary of Curtis Nelson’s knock-down, firing low previous Angus Gunn to reward a robust residence response.
It did not take lengthy for Metropolis to reply, nonetheless, one other impressed particular person second from Sainz making it 2-1. This time he picked the ball up from McLean 30 yards out, carrying the ball into the field and smashing into the far nook.
It took practically 20 minutes for Paul Warne’s aspect to return near an equaliser, however once they did it was inside inches. Gunn might solely watch as Eiran Cashin’s long-ranger looped over his head, however was relieved when it bounced off the crossbar and behind for a nook.
Any worries he nonetheless had have been apparently seen to when Sainz accomplished his hat-trick, tapping in on the finish of a speedy counter, however Corey Blackett-Taylor’s late strike sophisticated issues.
Norwich have been in a position to see out a collection of set-pieces to retain their lead, nonetheless, claiming a beneficial three factors on the highway.
DERBY COUNTY:
Substitutes:
31. Vickers (GK)
2. Wilson (on for Nyambe, 71)
5. Bradley
9. Collins (on for Yates, 81)
12. Phillips
18. Harness (on for Mendez-Laing, 71)
27. Blackett-Taylor (on for Adams, 81)
28. Chirewa (on for Osborn, 71)
39. Brown
Head Coach: Paul Warne
Bookings: Forsyth (21), Chirewa (77), Goudmijn (80)
Targets: Forsyth (60), Blackett-Taylor (90+1)
NORWICH CITY:
Substitutes:
12. Lengthy (GK)
3. Stacey (on for Fisher, 78)
5. Hanley (on for Doyle, 88)
14. Chrisene (on for Crnac, 77)
18. Forson (on for Sainz, 88)
20. Slimane (on for Schwartau, 58)
21. Gordon
40. Hills
41. Forsyth
Head Coach: Johannes Hoff Thorup
Bookings: Duffy (24), Cordoba (90+5)
Targets: Sainz (45+3, 65, 87)
KEY MOMENTS
2 – Jackson has area on the again publish and may rating, however his tame effort rolls properly extensive.
9 – Nunez’s nook finds Cordoba with the goalkeeper in no man’s land, however he cannot hold his header down.
26 – Goudmijn’s long-range effort flies properly over.
32 – The ball breaks for Sainz on the sting of the field, and he drives a half-volley extensive of the far publish.
36 – Sainz’s looping improvised effort is tipped over by Widell Zetterstrom.
45+1 – Cashin’s glorious last-ditch diversion denies Sargent a tap-in.
45+3 – GOAL NORWICH (Sainz): Sargent’s first try is denied however he reacts rapidly to search out Sainz, who flicks into the empty internet. The house gamers declare the ball was out, however the aim is allowed.
Half time: Derby County 0-1 Norwich Metropolis
53 – Mendez-Laing prices into the Norwich field and shoots, however Duffy’s block denies him.
58 – Nelson rises highest from a nook, heading extensive.
59 – Adams dispossesses McLean on the sting of the field and shoots, however sees his effort deflected extensive.
60 – GOAL DERBY (Forsyth): Nelson knocks Mendez-Laing’s nook down for Forsyth, who fires low past Gunn to equalise.
65 – GOAL NORWICH (Sainz): Sainz drives from 30 yards out into the Derby field, driving low into the far nook for his second.
84 – Cashin thumps the bar along with his long-range effort.
86 – Gunn does properly to palm Goudmijn’s free-kick away.
87 – GOAL NORWICH (Sainz): Norwich counter quickly after Slimane units Sargent away. He tees up Sainz, who faucets in for his hat-trick.
90+1 – GOAL DERBY (Blackett-Taylor): Blackett-Taylor glides into the field beneath little problem and finds the underside nook.
90+4 – Gunn pulls off an unbelievable save to disclaim Jackson.
Full time: Derby County 2-3 Norwich Metropolis
PLAYER RATINGS
Gunn 8, Fisher 8, Duffy 8, Cordoba 7, Doyle 7, McLean 6, Nunez 7, Schwartau 6, Crnac 6, Sainz 9, Sargent 8. Subs: Slimane 7, Chrisene 6, Stacey 6, Hanley 6, Forson 6.
MATCH STATISTICS
Possession: 42pc-58pc
Pictures: 15-8
Heading in the right direction: 5-4
Corners: 9-5
Fouls: 13-7
Added time: 5 minutes/6 minutes
Attendance: 28,915
Referee: Oliver Langford