Norwich 3-2 Cardiff: Canaries resist Bluebirds comeback

Norwich got their Sky Bet Championship campaign back on track as they beat Cardiff 3-2 at Carrow Road on Saturday.

The Canaries were some way below their best but still had enough in their locker to take all three points, with goals from Cameron Jerome, Russell Martin and substitute Josh Murphy ultimately settling the issue.

Former Norwich midfielder Anthony Pilkington pulled one back for the visitors to make it 2-1 with five minutes remaining, but a fine finish from Murphy in injury time soon settled the nerves, with a late second from Pilkington no more than a consolation.

There was an early blow for the hosts when Robbie Brady went down clutching his left hip after a challenge from Jazz Richards. Brady was able to continue after treatment but it was not long before he went down again and went off.

Having taken just one point from their previous two games, the Canaries needed a win to get themselves back on track, but they struggled to get into their stride against a well organised Cardiff side, and it was the visitors who had the first chance, with Pilkington shooting straight at Michael McGovern.

But when they finally got the ball in the opposition penalty area for the first time in the 16th minute Norwich managed to get their noses in front. An inswinging cross from Jacob Murphy that was going in was tipped away by keeper Ben Wilson, only to fall the unmarked Jerome, who did the rest.

Cardiff started the second half brightly and if someone had got on the end of an inviting low cross from Declan John they would have been back on level terms.

And Paul Trollope's side went even closer to opening their account on 51 minutes with Norwich continuing to ride their luck as Rickie Lambert's header from a Aron Gunnarsson cross rattled the crossbar.

The Canaries needed a response, and they duly got one to stretch their lead on the hour mark. Jacob Murphy's corner found the head of recalled skipper Martin and he duly found the back of net via a slight deflection off Jonny Howson.

It was rough justice on the visitors, who had carved out more openings in the first hour, but they were now really up against and Norwich substitute Alex Pritchard nearly made it three soon after coming on, with a last-ditch challenge from Lee Peltier denying him a goal on his home debut.

The final stages of the game were eventful to say the least, with Pilkington stabbing home a loose ball in the box to make it interesting and then heading home from closer range after Josh Murphy had curled home a superb third for the hosts.