PROMOTION BID DOWN TO TEEM-WORK

NORWICH 4

Pukki 8, 56, Stiepermann 25, Buendia 34 TEEMU PUKKI passed up the chance to score a hat-trick but still kept Norwich on course for the Premier League.

The Finland international’s double took his season’s tally to 23 league goals – but he could have celebrated a treble if he had been greedy.

Norwich head coach Daniel Farke blamed himself for allowing Kenny Mclean to take the spot kick saved by ex-canary Remi Matthews, which means the leaders have now missed six of their seven penalties this season.

Pukki (above) probably wouldn’t have made the same mistake such is his rich net profit in a Championship campaign boosted by further goals from Marco Stiepermann and mesmerising Emi Buendia.

Team-mate Tom Trybull couldn’t hide his admiration for Pukki who, after signing on a free in the summer from Danish club Brondby, was in deadly form to right the wrongs of the midweek defeat at Preston.

Trybull said: “Yes, he could have scored a hat-trick but it also showed a side of his character. I am very pleased how it is going for him. So many times he scores the important goals and this is what helps the team.”

Keeper Matthews, at Norwich as a youngster, held his nerve to save the penalty and has no regrets about leaving to join Bolton on a permanent deal last month despite finding himself second from bottom.

Matthews said: “The spirit in the dressing room is very good considering where we are. We’re confident we can turn it around.”