Cardiff 0-1 Norwich: Cameron Jerome nets winner

Cameron Jerome destroyed Cardiff again with another goal against his former club as Norwich recorded a hat-trick of league victories with a 1-0 win in Wales.

Jerome, who made over 70 appearances for the Bluebirds, has now scored in four successive games against Cardiff. And his latest strike, a 40th-minute winner for Norwich, ended the Canaries' four-month winless run away from home.

It has been quite a turnaround for Alex Neil's men who now sit just three points off the top six after ending 2016 with just two wins in a stretch of 12 league games.

Cardiff threatened early on through striker Kenneth Zohore, who scored what manager Neil Warnock described as one of the best goals of the season against Preston in midweek. On this occasion, the Dane headed Matthew Connolly's cross straight at Canaries goalkeeper John Ruddy.

Norwich handed debuts to Dutch pair Yanic Wildschut and Mitchell Dijks who joined from Wigan and Ajax respectively on deadline day.

Jerome should have scored with half an hour played after latching on to Sean Morrison's wayward header but Allan McGregor was quick off his line to deny the striker.

Jerome would make up for that miss just 10 minutes later by heading his team in front. The Canaries were awarded a free-kick when Norwich's talisman was hacked down by Aron Gunnarsson 30 yards from goal.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Wes Hoolahan lofted the ball in and Jerome was strong enough to hold off Sol Bamba and head home to give Norwich a deserved lead. For the 30-year-old it was a third goal in four league games for Norwich after failing to score in his previous 10.

The Bluebirds came out firing in the second half and Norwich skipper Russell Martin had to be at his best to block Zohore's goal-bound effort. And the pressure mounted on Norwich when Junior Hoilett's dangerous-looking cross was just missed by Peter Whittingham.

Cardiff wasted a golden opportunity to draw level after substitute Craig Noone's surge into the box produced a fine save from Ruddy, and the rebound fell to Kadeem Harris who blasted his effort over the bar.

Norwich dealt well with Cardiff's bombardment of long balls in the latter stages and held on for a first three points on the road since their 2-1 triumph at Wolves on October 1.

Cardiff boss Neil Warnock:

"I'm disappointed with the penalty appeals. Seven out of 10 referees would have given them. The referee said Healey dived for the first penalty, and then for the second one we've got a superhuman linesman from 40 yards away, who thought the defender got the ball.

"I've heard some excuses but nothing like that."

Norwich boss Alex Neil:

"We're starting to hit good form at the right time. This is the time in the season to build momentum. mWe've now won three in a row after a good spell and it feels as if the players have real confidence at the moment.

"Our away form has been poor and I've been critical of it. We haven't been doing the ugly side of the game but we more than did that against Cardiff. Neil [Warnock] has got them organised and they'll make it tough for you and you'll get beat if you don't stand up to them."