Norwich City won their third league game in a row and their first away from home since last October, as Cameron Jerome’s diving first half header secured the points for the Canaries.
This was the fourth win in a row that Norwich have secured over Cardiff but it was a hard fought, workmanlike performance from the visitors. It was also the fourth goal in four games for ex-Cardiff striker, Jerome against his former employers.
Before the game, I’d predicted a physical, direct style from Cardiff and that was how it proved to be. For once though, the Norwich players were able to stand up to that physicality, perhaps showing a new found steel.
Early on it was all Cardiff and Kenneth Zahore missed a glorious chance when he headed straight at John Ruddy.
There were debuts for new signings, Yanic Wildschut and Mitchell Dijks and it was Dijks who caught the eye in particular. In the first half, Mitchell was the best player on the pitch and he seemed to have no real problems with the ugly side of the game. By the end he was clearly exhausted and his performance levels had dropped off but it was a very promising debut.
Wildschut was a bit quieter, it’s fair to say without creating too much. An okay debut but nothing to ‘get us out of our seats.’
Jerome could’ve scored on the half hour when he latched onto a wayward header but McGregor was quickly off his line to snuff out the threat.
Ten minutes later though, he made up for it with the game’s only goal.
Jerome was brought down by Gunnarsson 30 yards from goal and Wes Hoolahan curled a lovely free kick into the box. Jerome used his strength to shrug off Sol Bamba and planted a diving header into the net.
The second half saw a determined effort by Cardiff to get back into the game and Martin had to block Zohore’s goal bound shot. The bluebirds looked dangerous as Norwich rocked and rolled but held firm.
The best chance came towards the end when Craig Noone surged into the box and turned the defence inside out before his shot was brilliantly saved by Ruddy. The rebound fell to Kadeem Harris who smashed the ball high and wide with the goal gaping.
It was a major let off but sometimes you need a little luck and there’s not been much of that lately.
The final ten minutes saw a determined aerial bombardment from Cardiff but Norwich held on for a good away win, albeit a close one.
FT 0-1
MOTM – Mitchell Dijks.
OTBC
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