Canaries close gap to league leaders Leeds with first victory of 2019

Norwich moved again to inside some extent of Sky Guess Championship leaders Leeds with a 3-1 win over Birmingham at Carrow Highway.

All of the objectives got here in a 13-minute spell within the first half, with the Canaries shortly recovering from an equaliser to file their first win in six matches in all competitions.

Teemu Pukki’s 17th objective of the season within the 13th minute was shortly cancelled out by Che Adams’ 13th of the marketing campaign for Birmingham.

Nevertheless, Norwich shortly restored their management with two objectives in three minutes from midfielders Mario Vrancic and Tom Trybull – and didn’t look in any hazard after that.

The Canaries, who’ve typically saved their heroics for the second half this season, had been on fireplace from the phrase go towards the Blues and their virtually fixed strain was shortly rewarded.

A neat transfer on the precise ended with Jamal Lewis firing in a low cross in the direction of the close to publish, the place Pukki obtained throughout his man to attain his 17th objective of the season – with the ball getting in off his thigh.

It was a giant shock to the system when Birmingham equalised virtually instantly, with Adams beating Tim Krul with a fierce low drive after being picked out within the space by Jota – however from then on it was all Norwich.

Daniel Farke’s facet appeared to seek out area at will as they probed on the guests with their neat, passing soccer and it was no shock after they scored twice in two minutes halfway by the half to make it 3-1.

Vrancic obtained them again in entrance when defenders stood off him simply exterior the field and he fired in a low drive into the underside nook, giving keeper Lee Camp no probability.

The hosts then obtained some respiratory area after successful a nook on the left. Emi Buendia’s first one got here to nothing however the supply from the second was spot on and Trybull took benefit of some poor marking to energy dwelling a header from shut vary.

Of their subsequent assault Norwich ought to have made it 4 as Pukki directed one other ball into the field agonisingly vast from contained in the six-yard field.

Birmingham did properly to get to the break simply two down, though Lukas Jutkiewicz did go shut with a header from a nook simply earlier than the interval.

Metropolis began the second interval firmly on the entrance foot and almost stretched their benefit two minutes in when Vrancic curled a shot simply over from a very good place, after winger Onel Hernandez had delighted the gang with an audacious ‘rabona’ cross.

Hernandez then discovered himself clear by on objective with solely Camp to beat however he delayed his shot too lengthy and was crowded out by retreating defenders.

Garry Monk’s males had been scarcely threatening on the different finish and there was one other probability for the hosts to kill the sport off simply after the hour mark when substitute Todd Cantwell examined Camp with a chipped effort that was heading for the highest nook.

Norwich continued to boss a one-sided sport till the ultimate whistle, with keeper Krul a digital spectator.