We will stay in top flight
KRUL IS BACKING CANARIES
TIM KRUL is convinced Norwich’s Premier League sequel will be a completely different tale to the original horror story.
The Canaries confirmed their instant top-flight return will be as champions thanks to a second-half swamping of Reading.
The Royals looked the team most likely to win at the break, even though Kieran Dowell had cancelled out Josh Laurent’s opener.
But another Dowell strike plus Xavi Quintilla’s cracking free-kick and Teemu Pukki’s
26th goal of the season meant it was party time at
Carrow Road.
Plenty of fans were outside the ground to noisily celebrate a second Championship title in three seasons.
And they should be back inside for another crack at the big time that goalkeeper Krul is convinced will be a major upgrade on 2019-20.
Norwich won just five games that term, lost 27, including all of the final 10, and ended up with a goal difference of -49.
But Krul is convinced that Daniel Farke’s team have learnt their lessons. He said: “We’re more street-wise and that’s going to be so important. It’s not just playing good football, it’s the side things as well.”
On Saturday, Norwich were rampant after the break with Dowell on target for his second from a tight angle, Quintilla curling his free-kick over the wall and Pukki taking advantage of a Tom Holmes backpass blunder.
One win in the last 10 has left Reading outside the play-offs.
Midfielder Dejan Tetek, 18, said: “We have got to make sure we improve in the final third. If we do that I reckon we will have a big shot at it next season.”
NORWICH (4-2-3-1): Krul 6; Aarons 7 (Mumba 89), Hanley 7, Omobamidele 7, Quintilla 7 (Hugill 87); Skipp 7, McLean 7; Buendia 7 (Tettey 82), Dowell 7 (Vrancic 83), Cantwell 7 (Hernandez 86); Pukki 7. Goals: Dowell 30, 64, Quintilla 78, Pukki 85.
READING (4-2-3-1): Cabral 8; Yiadom 7, Holmes 5, Gibson 6, Richards 6; Laurent 7, Olise 6 (Esteves 68, 5); Tetek 6 (Semedo 68, 5), Swift 5 (Meite 62, 6), Ejaria 7; Joao 5 (Camara 83). Goal: Laurent 12.