DYNAMIC DUO KEEP CANARIES ON SONG
DANIEL FARKE hailed Todd Cantwell and Emi Buendia for the goals that kept the Canaries perched on the top of the Championship Christmas tree.
Fit-again Cantwell netted a cracking clincher for the league leaders after Buendia had struck midway through the first half.
Norwich boss Farke said: “Theirs were two good performances, no doubt about it.
“Emi has been in top-class shape for the last six weeks and delivered with a great goal and a great assist.
“With Todd, I got the feeling since he was back on the training pitch after his injury that he was totally focused. I wasn’t sure if he could play for 90 minutes but he delivered.”
Norwich started racking up chances from the off, with Kenny Mclean heading just wide and Teemu Pukki firing across goal and beyond the far post.
Cardiff were dangerous from set-pieces, though, with Sean Morrison’s header from Harry Wilson’s free-kick grabbed right on the line by Norwich keeper Michael Mcgovern.
Buendia broke the deadlock in the 27th minute with his fifth goal in his last seven games.
The Argentinian took a pass from Mclean, shrugged off Marlon Pack and, as defenders backed off, unleashed a low 20-yarder past Bluebirds keeper Alex Smithies.
Cantwell (left), starting for the first time since October, wrapped things up in the 70th minute.
The local lad was found in space by Buendia and unleashed a rising 20-yarder that gave keeper Smithies no chance.
Morrison went close again at the other end as sub Junior Hoilett fired over but Cardiff had to accept being second best.
Cardiff boss Neil Harris said: “When you play good teams you can’t give them the chances we did.
“They are top of the league for a reason – they find ways to win games.”