DOUBLE HUGS!
Two-goal Hugill increases lead at the top
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JORDAN HUGILL was hailed as a “man on a mission” as Norwich moved seven points clear at the Championship summit.
The big No.9 netted both goals for the Canaries to end the Robins’ stubborn but extremely passive resistance.
The former West Ham spare part is deputising for the injured Teemu Pukki.
But Norwich boss Daniel Farke reckoned the £5million summer signing had already proved his worth.
He said: “If someone deserves to be in the spotlight, it is Jordan. You can’t ask for a better team player.
“Right now, he is on a mission. Jordan plays a key role and deserves all the praise and the spotlight.”
The Canaries bossed the first half, but had only Hugill’s 36thminute header to show for it.
Robins pair Tomas Kalas and Daniel Bentley did their best to delay the inevitable with a series of blocks and saves.
Goalkeeper Bentley leaped to stop Kenny Mclean finding the top corner after defender Kalas had got in the way of efforts from the Scot and Emi Buendia.
And the former Brentford keeper Bentley somehow got a leg to Hugill’s close-range flick when a goal seemed inevitable.
The reprieve was short-lived though as Hugill broke the deadlock from Norwich’s next attack.
Todd Cantwell – wearing one orange boot and one blue – curled a cross into the mixer and Hugill rose to nod home from 12 yards. Bristol City’s only
Krul 6, Aarons 8, Hanley 7, Gibson 7, Sorensen 7, Skipp 8, Mclean 7, Buendia 7, Vrancic 6 (Placheta 77), Cantwell 7 (Dowell 89), Hugill 7 (Hernandez 90).
Bentley 8, Hunt 6, Kalas 7, Mawson 6, Rowe 6, Adelakun 5 (Semenyo 56, 5), Vyner 6 (Bakinson 85), Nagy 6, Palmer 7 (Wells 75), C Martin 5 (Massengo 85), Diedhiou 6.
James Linington moment of note during a passive first 45 minutes had been early on, when Kasey Palmer’s deflected shot evaded Hakeeb Adelakun at the back post as fit-again goalkeeper Tim Krul dithered.
The second half began with Bentley somehow parrying a point-blank diving header from Hugill, who was offside anyway.
Buendia blasted just wide before Bentley pulled off another reflex stop, from Max Aarons’ deflected effort.
A second goal was coming and Hugill was able to claim it in the 76th minute – just.
Aarons fired the ball into a crowded six-yard box and saw it hit Kalas and then Hugill before crossing the line.
The Robins failed to land a single shot on target and boss Dean Holden said: “The second goal was one that put the game to bed.
“There is no doubt Hugill puts a forearm across Tommy Rowe’s face – not on purpose, but Rowey goes down with a head injury, so I’m not sure why the game wasn’t stopped.
“But we didn’t create nearly enough.”