Norwich 3-1 Birmingham: Canaries close gap to league leaders Leeds with first victory of 2019

Norwich 3-1 Birmingham: Canaries close gap to league leaders Leeds with first victory of 2019
Norwich moved back to within a point of Sky Bet Championship leaders Leeds with a 3-1 win over Birmingham at Carrow Road.All the goals came in a 13-minute spell in the first half, with the Canaries quickly recovering from an equaliser to record their first win in six matches in all competitions.4

The opening goal was scored by Teemu Pukki

Teemu Pukki’s 17th goal of the season in the 13th minute was quickly cancelled out by Che Adams’ 13th of the campaign for Birmingham.However, Norwich quickly restored their control with two goals in three minutes from midfielders Mario Vrancic and Tom Trybull – and did not look in any danger after that.The Canaries, who have generally saved their heroics for the second half this season, were on fire from the word go against the Blues and their almost constant pressure was quickly rewarded.A neat move on the right ended with Jamal Lewis firing in a low cross towards the near post, where Pukki got across his man to score his 17th goal of the season – with the ball going in off his thigh.4

Che Adams equalised a minute later

It was a big shock to the system when Birmingham equalised almost immediately, with Adams beating Tim Krul with a fierce low drive after being picked out in the area by Jota – but from then on it was all Norwich.Daniel Farke’s side appeared to find space at will as they probed at the visitors with their neat, passing football and it was no surprise when they scored twice in two minutes midway through the half to make it 3-1.Vrancic got them back in front when defenders stood off him just outside the box and he fired in a low drive into the bottom corner, giving keeper Lee Camp no chance.The hosts then got some breathing space after winning a corner on the left. Emi Buendia’s first one came to nothing but the delivery from the second was spot on and Trybull took advantage of some poor marking to power home a header from close range.4

Mario Vrancic restored the Canaries’ lead

In their next attack Norwich should have made it four as Pukki directed another ball into the box agonisingly wide from inside the six-yard box.Birmingham did well to get to the break just two down, although Lukas Jutkiewicz did go close with a header from a corner just before the interval.City started the second period firmly on the front foot and nearly stretched their advantage two minutes in when Vrancic curled a shot just over from a good position, after winger Onel Hernandez had delighted the crowd with an audacious ‘rabona’ cross.4

Tom Trybull added the third

Hernandez then found himself clean through on goal with only Camp to beat but he delayed his shot too long and was crowded out by retreating defenders.Garry Monk’s men were scarcely threatening at the other end and there was another chance for the hosts to kill the game off just after the hour mark when substitute Todd Cantwell tested Camp with a chipped effort that was heading for the top corner.Norwich continued to boss a one-sided game until the final whistle, with keeper Krul a virtual spectator.

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