Hugill’s double keeps Norwich clear at the top
Jordan Hugill made the most of Teemu Pukki’s absence by netting both goals as Norwich moved seven points clear of their nearest promotion rivals. Pukki is all but certain to reclaim his place once he recovers from a side strain, but his deputy showed his worth with a goal in each half.
The £5million summer signing opened the scoring with a trademark header and bundled home a clinching second on a night when the visitors failed to land a single shot on target.
“If someone deserves to be in the spotlight it is definitely Jordan,” said Norwich manager Daniel Farke. “You can’t ask for a better team player or team-mate. Right now he is on a mission. Jordan plays a key role and deserves all the praise. He was fantastic.”
The former Preston striker, bought, ignored and then jettisoned by West Ham, had been gamely
picking up scraps from occasional substitute appearances. Only recently, too, had his team-mates began to supply him with the sort of delivery that played to his strengths, but that was exactly what Todd Cantwell provided in the 36th minute. Hugill headed in from 12 yards.
Bristol City goalkeeper Daniel Bentley was already overworked, having previously denied Kenny Mclean and Cantwell, and began the second period with another reflex stop of Hugill’s diving header. Hugill was credited with Norwich’s second by virtue of having been in the right place at the right time as Max Aarons fired into the six-yard box. It hit a defender and then Hugill before nestling in the net.
Bristol City manager Dean Holden said: “The better team won, they are the best team in the division without a shadow of doubt.”
Norwich City (4-2-3-1) Krul; Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Sorensen; Skipp, Mclean; Buendia, Vrancic (Placheta 77), Cantwell (Dowell 89); Hugill (Hernandez 90). Subs Barden, Rupp, J Martin, Tettey, Omotoye, Omobamidele. Booked Cantwell.
Bristol City (4-4-2) Bentley; Hunt, Kalas, Mawson, Rowe; Adelakun (Semenyo 56), Vyner (Bakinson 85), Nagy, Palmer (Wells 75); C Martin (Massengo 85), Diedhiou. Subs O’leary, Mariappa, Moore, Bell, Edwards. Booked Palmer. Referee James Linington (Hampshire).