Norwich had a stroke of luck when John Swift’s rising shot struck the woodwork and rebounded into play during 10 minutes of extra stoppage time, but the Canaries deserved it after a character-filled performance. Two difficult away tests have occurred in recent days.

Manning has cited two hard-fought victories and the importance of momentum in accelerating the process. Norwich can now draw on this experience when they face adversity for the remainder of their discovery campaign.

It’s best not to get carried away at this early stage, but the celebrations and sense of unity at full-time between coaches, players, staff, and the packed away end evoked memories of a bygone era, and a promotion-sealing win in this neck of the woods under Paul Lambert.

2. Fast learners

Kovacevic and Jakov Medic could have been forgiven for sitting in the sanctuary of Norwich’s home dressing room after Millwall, quietly reflecting on what they had let themselves in for.

Kovacevic had to deal with a barrage of balls flying across his six-yard line and under his bar as the Lions smelt blood. However, the City number one made an impressive debut at Fratton Park.

Big keepers step up in crucial moments, and Kovacevic delivered in both halves. After Harry Darling’s header put Norwich City ahead, the Serb threw himself across his goal to brilliantly save Regan Poole’s near post strike.

Within a minute, Norwich had surged up the opposite end, with Josh Sargent doubling their lead.

Then, as Portsmouth’s pressure mounted and Kellen Fisher conceded a penalty kick on Florian Bianchini, Kovacevic threw himself to his left to block Colby Bishop’s shot. He jumped to his feet and was engulfed by his new teammates.

So early in his Norwich timeline, it could be a’sliding doors’ moment as he tries to fill the big gloves of Angus Gunn. At Fratton Park, Medic let his fellow summer recruit take the spotlight.

However, following a difficult debut against the Lions and another uncomfortable moment on cup duty for Watford’s late riposte – when he was squared up inside his own area by Kwadwo Baah – the Croatian took a step forward.

His understanding of the game, as well as his success in countering Josh Murphy’s pace and guile, should give him confidence moving forward.

3. Top drawer Topic

It’s difficult not to get overly excited about City’s new holding midfielder based on early evidence.

This is a label that would do Mirko Topic an enormous disservice. He demonstrated an eye for a shot on his fast-track Championship debut against Millwall, and he is equally at ease patrolling the opposing penalty area as he is in his own.

However, in the testing environment of Fratton Park, Topic appeared to be a midfielder with extensive experience in the English second tier. There was even a smart yellow card for attempting to postpone a home free kick just long enough to allow City to regroup.

Just as impressive is how quickly he appears to have reached an understanding with Marcelino Nunez. The Chilean had been playing just as well in recent days before being forced off early in the second half due to an awkward late first-half challenge that swollen his ankle.

Topic is also an important aspect of how Norwich intends to invite the opponent and then play through. In the early sparring, he received the ball under intense pressure from Jose Cordoba and turned away from danger to find Nunez.

It was the act of a player who was confident in his technique and at ease with the high tempo and pressing intensity that this league requires on a regular basis.

A later ball around the corner drew him away from three Pompey players, sparking a counterattack that ended with Ante Crnac flicking a leg at Jack Stacey’s cross.

The only blemish was failing to get out quickly enough to prevent Adrian Segecic’s consolation goal, which was impressive given the power and swerve of the hosts’ best player.

Topic’s biggest challenge from here will be maintaining the consistency he demonstrated in his first few appearances in green and yellow.

However, given that the 24-year-old revealed City’s initial interest 12 months ago, it appears he is eager to make up for lost time with an eye-catching start to his Canaries career.

4. Emi flip

A lesson in why the summer transfer window and Norwich remain fluid partners.

Emi Marcondes’ representative appeared to be touting his client’s late-career move to Brazil, his mother’s birthplace, over the early part of the summer. City exercised a one-year option on an attacking midfielder who contributed a respectable number of goals after teaming up with Johannes Hoff Thorup on a free agent mission this time last season to address a lack of available forward resources.

However, a new head coach and a new outlook, combined with Marcondes being used sparingly in pre-season and then omitted from the matchday squad for the opening Championship game against Millwall, all contributed to the sense of a potential exit route in what remains of the transfer window.

Although Manning was quick to point out after the Portsmouth win that Millwall’s absence was due to a heel issue rather than expected involvement in recent days.

Marcondes has started against Watford and Portsmouth, and his new manager has praised the 30-year-old for his impact and game intelligence in the pockets behind Sargent.

It appears to be a role that a player with his technical abilities would excel at.Marcondes is also one of the few players in this group who has been promoted to the Championship with Brentford and Bournemouth.

Anis Ben Slimane and Shane Duffy appear to be on the same twin track that led to Brad Hills’ departure earlier this week.

Manning has been open about his desire to reduce his bloated roster and be alert to any late disruptions involving key members of his team. But Marcondes appears to have carved out his own niche.

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