Given Vladan Kovacevic's return from a two-game absence through concussion, the expectation was that the Serbian would be automatically restored to his usual position between the sticks. Instead, Clement opted to stick with Grimshaw and hand him another chance to impress.

In many respects, restoring Kovacevic would have been the simpler call. There is so much emphasis placed on continuity and stability in the goalkeeping position, but Clement resisted the temptation to change and Grimshaw repaid that faith.

It wasn't an outing full of incredible, jaw-dropping stops or exceptional distribution, but Grimshaw offered security in both departments that has too often been lacking in City's goal this season.

He undoubtedly benefited from Norwich's revised and improved defensive structure, but Grimshaw still had moments when he was required to intervene. Inside the opening minute, he was quickly off his line to smother Tyreece Campbell before later producing a fine stop to deny Charlie Kelman. Neither moment will dominate the highlights, but both mattered.

Charlton's goal was a good example of why the numbers can provide greater context when assessing a goalkeeper. The chance itself was worth only 0.14 expected goals (xG), which measures how likely an opportunity is to result in a goal before the shot is struck.

But once the effort was directed towards Grimshaw's goal, its expected goals on target (xGOT) value rose to 0.91. That metric takes into account the quality and placement of shots that actually test the goalkeeper. In simple terms, the chance wasn't particularly clear-cut, but the finish made it extremely difficult to save.

Grimshaw's wider numbers remain encouraging, albeit from a small sample. He has saved six of the nine shots on target faced this season, giving him a 66.7pc save percentage, and has conceded three goals from shots worth 3.20 xGOT. That leaves him with a goals-prevented figure of +0.20, meaning he has conceded fractionally fewer goals than the quality of shots faced would suggest.

Vladan Kovacevic had a watching brief as Dan Grimshaw took his chance between the sticks. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

That is where the comparison with Kovacevic becomes particularly interesting. Grimshaw's sample remains considerably smaller, but the shot-stopping numbers provide a statistical argument for Clement persisting with him beyond one afternoon at The Valley.

Kovacevic was excellent for City last season. He ranked among the top five shot-stoppers in the division and, crucially, made progress as the Championship campaign progressed.

But those levels haven't been replicated this term. Norwich's defensive issues have certainly provided difficult circumstances, but the numbers suggest Kovacevic hasn't offered the same level of protection behind them either.

In many ways, it has been a catch-22 situation. Kovacevic's struggles have been exposed more regularly because of the lack of protection in front of him, but the numbers also show he has conceded more often than the quality of shots faced would suggest.

When a goalkeeper is struggling for form, greater protection can reduce their exposure and provide a platform from which to recover. Kovacevic hasn't been afforded that luxury, although his own performances have hardly helped an already porous defence.

Will Grimshaw now enjoy a run as Norwich City's number one? (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Grimshaw has benefited from City's improved structure, facing three shots on target per 90 compared with Kovacevic's 4.6. The underlying numbers also show he has faced lower-quality chances, but when called upon, he has delivered.

The sample remains significantly smaller, but Grimshaw has saved six of the nine shots on target he has faced, giving him a 66.7pc save percentage compared with Kovacevic's 53.7pc. That is the core difference. Grimshaw has essentially saved what the model expects him to save, whereas Kovacevic has substantially underperformed those expectations.

It may appear a matter of fine margins, but greater security between the posts gives City a better chance of turning tight games in their favour.

Kovacevic does have the edge in terms of distribution. Grimshaw's Charlton performance was better than his overall season numbers: 32/40 passes completed (80pc), including 10 passes into the final third, although only 7/21 long balls (33pc) found their target.

Compare that with City's number one, who completes 10.6 more passes per 90 and 1.1 more accurate long balls. There is a difference, but not one significant enough to make Norwich's possession game suffer considerably without him.

If anything, Grimshaw's presence has simplified how Norwich operate in possession.

Dan Grimshaw has made six saves in his three matches, including two important ones in City's win at Charlton. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

That ultimately underscores the argument for continuity. Grimshaw's stronger shot-stopping numbers are currently coming with a trade-off in possession, but that disadvantage is not significant enough to outweigh the security he has provided between the posts.

None of this means Grimshaw has suddenly established himself as Norwich's undisputed number one. Three appearances cannot outweigh everything Kovacevic produced last season, and Clement now has genuine competition rather than a straightforward changing of the guard.

But Clement put his faith in Grimshaw at The Valley and was rewarded. Having earned possession of the shirt, there is little reason for the goalkeeper to surrender it now.