Bristol City edge out Norwich to boost top six hopes
Bristol City 2 - 1 Norwich City
Bristol City climbed into the Championship play-off places with a hard-fought win over Norwich City, whose promotion hopes are fading fast.
Mark Sykes put the Robins ahead with a composed finish early on, before Nahki Wells doubled their lead after capitalising on a defensive error from the visitors.
Borja Sainz, who had already hit the post and missed a golden opportunity in the first half, pulled one back late on to set up a tense finale at Ashton Gate.
The win moves Bristol City up to fifth, leapfrogging Coventry and West Brom, who both play on Saturday. Norwich, meanwhile, remain winless in four and sit seven points off the top six, having played a game more than their play-off rivals.
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Fast start sets the tone
A pre-match light show may not have gone down well with the home fans, but City’s start certainly did.
Norwich had the first meaningful spell of possession, but Rob Dickie stepped in to break up play and set the Robins on the attack. Max Bird released Sykes, and the Republic of Ireland international, full of confidence after scoring against Sheffield United in midweek, cut inside onto his left foot and curled a superb strike into the far corner.
After taking the lead, City had to weather a brief Norwich storm, with Max O’Leary called into action to deny both Shane Duffy and Emiliano Marcondes.
Norwich almost found an equaliser when Josh Sargent teed up Sainz, but the Spaniard’s driven effort clipped the outside of the post.
Wells doubles the lead. He then misses a sitter
The Canaries continued to play out from the back, but it proved costly when Jose Cordoba was dispossessed in midfield. City quickly worked the ball to Wells, who showed his composure to slot past George Long and make it 2-0.
The Bermudian should have had a second moments later. Bird tested Long with a low strike, and when the Norwich keeper parried straight into Wells' path, he somehow fired his shot straight back at him instead of burying it into an almost empty net.
Despite their two-goal deficit, Norwich remained a threat. Ante Crnac blazed a chance over the bar early in the second half, while Sargent forced a diving save from O’Leary.
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Late scare but the home side held on
Liam Manning’s substitutions gave Bristol City fresh legs in midfield and appeared to swing the momentum back in their favour.
But Sainz had looked dangerous all game and finally got his goal in the closing stages, turning in from close range to make it a nervy finish for the hosts.
Norwich piled on the pressure in the final 10 minutes, launching balls into the box and forcing a series of corners, but they lacked the cutting edge to find an equaliser.
Their last chance came deep into stoppage time, but Marcelino Nunez sent a 25-yard free-kick just wide as City held on for a huge three points.
