Norwich 1-2 Cardiff City (report)

Cardiff City started with their 'big guns' Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in attack, meaning that Steve MacLean was relegated to the bench.


Cardiff City started the game brightly, for the first few minutes they looked quick, sharp and motivated. Joe Ledley seeing a shot palmed away. However, the home side soon found their feet and began to mount some pressure. Dion Dublin had a goal disallowed after pushing in the box at a NCFC free-kick.


The home support didnt have to wait to long for a goal to celebrate. In the 12th minute, a poor backpass from Chris Gunter was horribly sliced by Turnbull, his mishit falling to Simon Lappin who drove into the unguarded net from 30 yards. Gunter's backpass was not the best, a little wide for the keeper who was under pressure, however, Turnbull's clearance was nothing short of woeful. It's easy to say with hindsight that he should have just knocked it out - but he failed to get height or distance and it fell perfectly to the Norwich City midfielder.


Norwich created more first half chances, as we again looked short of creativity and saw our back line worked hard by Cureton.


HT Norwich City 1-0 Cardiff City



Cardiff made a double substitution, Parry for Ledley (though Ledley had a decent first half) and Darcy Blake on for Gunter.


We definately looked a better side with Parry, whose pace caused problems and City got back onto level terms in the 64th minute. Parry's cross from the right was allowed all the way across goal by the Canaries static defense allowing PETER WHITTINGHAM to steal in at the far post to knock home.


Whittingham went close soon after with a low drive from a Hasselbaink knock-down but Marshall smothered the shot. Huckerby was on for Norwich and was causing problems for youngster Darcy Blake, filling in at right-back. Blake stuck to his task well and made one excellent intervention to save a goal.


Just a few minutes from time, Cardiff City got the winner. A corner from the left found ROGER JOHNSON running back across goal who planted a superb header in at the near post. He was fully 12 yards from goal and had to flick the ball as he ran towards it - an excellent finish as he then hobbled towards the touchline in celebration - having received lengthy treatment moments before.


FT: Norwich City 1-2 Cardiff City


A much better second half performance saw us come back and grab all 3 points. We didn't deserve them, but then neither did Stoke City or Coventry City. Whittingham scored his second in two games but it was Paul Parry who made most impression as he appeared all over the pitch and created problems.




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