Cardiff City 2-3 Norwich City
By James Dow at Cardiff City Stadium
Norwich struck twice late on to end Cardiff’s six-game unbeaten home run at the Cardiff City stadium.
A goal from Christian Fassnacht in the first-half and two goals courtesy of Adam Idah and a Ryan Wintle own goal claimed all three points for the Canaries to ease the pressure on manager David Wagner.
The first chance of the game fell to the away side when Przemyslaw Placheta got on to the end of a great long ball from the Kenny Mclean but struck his shot wide of the post.
Six minutes in Cardiff had their first attempt of the game when Callum Robinson had a tame effort saved comfortably by George Long.
In the 20th minute the away side had the best chance to open the scoring when Gabriel Sara forced a good save from Jak Alnwick which resulted in a corner.
However, from the resulting corner, a flick on at the near post from Mclean gave winger Fassnacht a tap in two yards out to give Norwich the lead.
Five minutes later Cardiff did have a penalty claim when Josh Bowler was brought down in the box, but referee Rebecca Welch waved away the protests.
The Bluebirds increased their intensity after conceding with a low shot from Bowler parried away by Long.
Norwich were dangerous on the break still, because soon after Bowler’s attempt, Placheta ran to the byline and delivered a dangerous ball into the box, but striker Ui-jo Hwang could not make any contact.
Captain Joe Ralls struck a powerful shot in the 33rd minute but could not direct it on target and drifted wide of the post.
Another chance fell to the hosts when they hit Norwich on the break however Karlan Grant Could not keep his shot down resulting in a goal kick.
The hosts finally made their pressure count in the 38th minute when Robinson squared the ball to Bowler at the back post who tucked the ball past Long to bring the hosts level.
City then took the lead two minutes before half time when Jamilu Collins’ cross was met by Robinson who guided it past Long to give the Bluebirds a deserved lead.
The final chance of the half once again went to the hosts with Bowler hitting a low strike which was comfortably saved by Long
The Canaries started the second half on the front foot and had a fantastic chance to equalise early in the half through Fassnacht who’s shot was bravely blocked by Mark McGuinness and went out for a corner.
The Bluebirds had a chance to go two goals ahead in the 59th minute when Grant was played through on the break and was one on one with Long who rushed out and made a good save to deny the forward
A few minutes later, Norwich had a great chance to equalise when Jonathan Rowe found space in the box, but his shot was met with a great save from Alnwick.
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The Canaries kept on threatening the Bluebirds goal and had another fantastic chance when Danny Batth had a close-range header denied by Alnwick.
After constant pressure the away side finally got a deserved goal with Fassnachts shot deflecting off Bluebird’s midfielder Wintle and into the back of the net.
Two minutes after the equaliser, some great work from Rowe in the box created space for the Englishman to strike a hard shot which was saved by Alnwick but the goalkeeper could not stop substitute Idah scoring the rebound in what was his fifth league goal of the season to give the away side the lead.
Several long balls were put into the box by the Bluebirds during added time with McGuinness heading over two minutes from time, but the Canaries managed to hold onto the three points.
Canaries boss Wagner will be happy to go into the international break on a win after four straight league defeats. with their next game coming in two weeks when they host Queens Park Rangers.
Bluebirds’ manager Erol Bulut will be looking for a reaction from his side when they travel to play-off hopefuls Preston North End in two weeks.