Cam-do attitude
CAMERON JEROME scored against his former club to prove Norwich boss Alex Neil has taught his team to win ugly.
Norwich went on a dreadful run around Christmas. Their tippy-tappy style of passing football was their undoing and, having been top in October, they were mid-table last month.
But this was a fourth win in five games to put them right back into promotion contention.
Neil said: “We were physically competitive today and that’s what we have not been doing.
“We went toe-to-toe and I am pleased with that. If you don’t fancy it at places like this you will get beat.”
Neil thought debutant Mitchell Dijks shone alongside man-of-the-match Timm Klose in defence. He said: “He has never played in the Championship before and he’s come off a winter break.
“He was physically dominant.”
The game was poor for long periods.
Cardiff had little joy going forward and the visitors were equally blunt.
When Jerome did get a chance, after a woeful back pass from Sean Morrison, Allan McGregor made an easy save.
Then, six minutes before the break, Wes Hoolahan’s free-kick was met with a slick Jerome header to beat McGregor.
Cardiff went all out in the second half and might have had two penalties.
Rhys Healey was booked for diving when there appeared to be contact, then, 10 minutes from time, Kadeem Harris thought he had been tripped.
Craig Noone brought out the best in John Ruddy, but when the ball broke to Harris he blazed over from eight yards.
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock said: “On another day we could have had a couple of penalties. Seven or eight out of 10 of the referees would have given them.
“On the second one, the linesman said the defender got a touch on the ball. We have watched it and no way did he.” Possession Shots On Target Shots Off Target Blocked Shots Corners Fouls Conceded Offsides Yellow Cards Red Cards 57% 43% 3 4 5 1 1 1 3 4 11 15 2 2 2 3 0 0