Carrow Road was alive with anticipation and the unmistakable magic of the FA Cup on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Norwich City, battered by a tough Championship campaign, welcomed League Two’s high-flying Walsall for a third-round clash that promised all the drama and unpredictability the world’s oldest cup competition is known for. By the final whistle, the Canaries had soared, dispatching the Saddlers 5-1 in a dominant display that offered their fans a much-needed reprieve from league woes and sent them confidently into the fourth round.
Norwich entered the tie under considerable pressure. After a rocky start to the 2025/26 season, which saw Philippe Clement replace Liam Manning as manager, the Canaries sat a precarious 22nd in the Championship table. Relegation fears loomed large, and many wondered if Clement might prioritize league survival over a cup run. Yet, with Carrow Road packed and fans desperate for something to cheer, Norwich seized the opportunity to restore some pride—and did so in style.
Walsall, for their part, arrived in Norfolk with genuine hopes of an upset. The Saddlers, managed by Mat Sadler, had rebounded from last season’s promotion heartbreak to occupy third spot in League Two. Their FA Cup campaign had been flawless, with a 3-0 win at Eastleigh and a 2-0 triumph at Gateshead, both achieved without conceding a goal. The visitors had every reason to believe in cup magic, especially against a Championship side struggling for form.
But from the outset, Norwich stamped their authority on the match. The Canaries dominated possession—nearly 80% by the 11th minute—and pressed Walsall deep into their own half. While the early moments saw both sides probing for openings, it was Norwich who broke the deadlock in the 15th minute. Anis Ben Slimane found Matej Jurasek inside the box, and the Czech striker rifled a low shot past Myles Roberts to give the home side a deserved lead.
Walsall tried to respond, but Norwich’s technical quality and relentless pressing kept them pinned back. In the 24th minute, chaos reigned in the Saddlers’ penalty area. Jack Stacey’s effort was cleared off the line by a desperate Walsall defender, but Jovon Makama reacted quickest to poke the ball home, doubling Norwich’s advantage. The goal was a sign of things to come, as Makama would soon steal the show.
The match briefly paused at the half-hour mark when Walsall’s goalkeeper, Myles Roberts, required medical attention after a collision. The stoppage allowed both managers to regroup with their teams, but it did little to change the flow of the game. Norwich continued to dictate play, and by halftime, they looked firmly in control, with Walsall struggling to create meaningful chances.
After the break, the Canaries turned on the style. In the 48th minute, Anis Ben Slimane whipped in a dangerous cross, and Makama, showing composure and strength, brought the ball down before swiveling to fire low into the bottom corner. The young striker’s second of the day put Norwich 3-0 up and all but ended Walsall’s hopes of a comeback.
Makama completed his hat-trick in the 55th minute, capping a sensational individual performance. Norwich’s dominance was total, and the home fans responded with roars of approval. As the match wore on, Clement made changes, bringing on Jakov Medic for Ruairi McConville and Oscar Schwartau for the hat-trick hero Makama, ensuring fresh legs for the final stages.
Walsall, to their credit, refused to give up. In the 67th minute, Courtney Clarke produced a moment of quality for the visitors, curling a shot into the right side of the net to give the Saddlers a consolation goal. It was a brief respite in an otherwise tough afternoon for the League Two side, who found themselves outclassed but not disgraced on the big stage.
As the match entered its closing moments, Norwich pressed for more. Substitute Tony Springett put the icing on the cake in stoppage time, finding space in the center of the box to slot home Norwich’s fifth and final goal. The 5-1 scoreline reflected the home side’s superiority and sent the Canaries faithful home with smiles on their faces—a rare sight in a season marked by struggle.
“It was a dominant performance by the home side, with a hat trick from Jovon Makama putting them on course for the fourth round. Walsall never got into the game and lost by a margin that reflected their performance,” reported VAVEL.com, capturing the mood at Carrow Road.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric throughout. Local fans, hungry for a reason to believe, roared their team forward, while a small but passionate contingent of Walsall supporters sang in hope of a famous cup upset. The FA Cup’s unique allure was on full display, with Carrow Road’s storied stands providing the perfect backdrop for a classic David vs. Goliath encounter.
For Norwich, this victory was more than just a passage to the next round. It was a much-needed boost for a club fighting to stay afloat in the Championship. The performance of Makama, in particular, will give Clement and his staff plenty to build on as they look to turn their league form around. The Canaries’ ability to control the game, create chances, and finish clinically was a reminder of the quality that still exists within their ranks, even in a challenging season.
Walsall, meanwhile, will return to League Two with their heads held high. Their cup run showcased the resilience and ambition that have defined their season so far, and their focus will now shift back to the promotion race. The Saddlers’ supporters will remember this trip to Carrow Road as another chapter in the club’s proud FA Cup history, even if the result didn’t go their way.
As the dust settles on a memorable afternoon, Norwich City’s emphatic 5-1 win over Walsall ensures their FA Cup journey continues. For the Canaries, the fourth round beckons with the promise of more magic, more memories, and perhaps, just perhaps, a spark that could ignite their league campaign. For Walsall, the dream of cup glory ends here, but their story this season is far from finished. At Carrow Road, the FA Cup delivered once again—full of passion, drama, and the timeless hope that anything is possible.
