Blackburn 0-1 Norwich: Pukki’s late winner takes Canaries to the top
Norwich City regained top spot in the Championship after they beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0 away at Ewood Park in a grinding game for the Canaries. Teemu Pukki scored a late winner to ensure that Daniel Farke’s men were at least top until Leeds United’s game against Aston Villa later in the day.
Any result other than a Leeds win will keep Norwich on top of the table come Christmas morning. With four minutes remaining from the 90, Pukki came up with a good effort on goal and it turned out to be the winner. Onel Hernandez provided the cross.
The Finland striker by then, had already missed some of the bigger chances in the game, hence, it was his job to put that right and get his team a valuable win. Ben Godfrey had a couple of efforts denied as the Canaries went two points clear at the top.
Farke’s men have been praised of playing an attacking brand of football and winning games, but this game was an evidence that his team can grind results out as well if required. The players were not at their best but one moment of quality was enough to seal the deal.
Losing Emiliano Buendia and Moritz Leitner in the first half due to injuries didn’t help the cause. The Blackburn keeper had a decent game and came in the way of few attempts. The Rovers are now 14th in the league table, 16 points behind leaders Norwich.
Here’s how the Norwich City fans reacted on social media after this grinding win away from home:
@jonnycanary @Woza76 @AdamFirrell @Cooperman75 @stepheneaglen I think that is a very merry Christmas….. despite Blackburn’s attempts to disrupt our game. Very well done boys 🎄🎄🎄🎄
— Stuart Roberts (@Wakefieldcanary) December 22, 2018
Brilliant to get the late winner and the main man Pukki in the right place at the right time yet again! 💛💚OTBC⚽️
— Paul Harrison (@_paulharrison) December 22, 2018
How many game-winners has Pukki scored this season for Norwich? He’s scored 3 for Finland
— Artturi Laine (@pehtoori1) December 22, 2018
What an unbelievable result, get in lads!!!!
— Daniel Hammond (@Hammond1612) December 22, 2018
Result of the season!!! No Klose, no Buendia, no Leitner, only 2nd team to win at Ewood park in 15 months! #OTBC
— Josh (@JMO_96) December 22, 2018
We are the masters of the late goal!
— Nigel Warner (@nwarner) December 22, 2018
Massive win well done boys 💛💚
— Aimee 🎅🎄 (@Aimee_NCFC) December 22, 2018