Buendia belter widens the gap
Over to you, Leeds. For a long time this didn’t look like Norwich’s night but that was before emi Buendia scored with a brilliant effort that dealt a decisive blow to a Swansea side who had looked lively in parts.
It was the type of goal the fans will look back on as being pivotal should they continue their charge back towards the Premier League. It is four wins on the spin now and Daniel Farke’s side seem able to lift themselves when it really matters.
They also score plenty of goals, though it wasn’t so obvious last night, and their tally of 72 leads the eFL. A week ago it was Leeds who had to take the plunge, playing before their promotion rivals.
They managed it with little fuss. A 4-0 win against West Brom put them top before Norwich made light work of Millwall.
Last night it was Norwich’s turn. Win and go five points clear of Leeds, or lose and know they will be overtaken if Marcelo Bielsa’s side triumph at Bristol City today.
Much is made of how Bielsa has got elland road rocking but Carrow road is proving just as inhospitable. That said, Norwich can’t get too complacent and perhaps they were guilty of that in the opening minutes.
Goalkeeper Tim Krul dallied on the ball in his own area, which allowed Swansea’s Daniel James to close him down. James’s anticipation was nearly rewarded but Krul got lucky as his clearance rebounded off the winger, playing as a striker in Oli McBurnie’s absence, and away from danger.
James should have done better moments after waking Krul up but this time the goalkeeper made a comfortable save from his tame effort.
Norwich weren’t able to cut through Swansea’s holding midfield duo of George Byers and Matt Grimes, whose job it was to force Norwich’s creative pair Buendia and Marco Stiepermann into playing the ball early.
With no options to play the ball through the middle, Norwich instead had to go down the flanks to try to find Teemu Pukki. Stiepermann controlled the ball on the left, passed to Buendia and he found Pukki. The Finn took a touch just inside the box but dragged a left-foot shot wide. For someone who has scored 24 goals in the Championship this season, he should have done better.
Farke showed his frustration on the touchline and got a response nine minutes into the second half. Onel Hernandez cut the ball back to Buendia. The 22- year- old Argentine took a touch past Grimes, dropped his shoulder and blasted the ball past Kristoffer Nordfeldt from outside the area.
There was an outpouring of relief inside Carrow road, and Norwich sensed Graham Potter’s side begin to buckle. Again and again, Norwich swarmed down the left, with youngster Jamal Lewis backing Hernandez up.
Hernandez appealed for a penalty with 20 minutes to play after Swansea defender Mike van der Hoorn appeared to push him to the ground. referee robert Jones didn’t think there was any contact and played on. Swansea came back but with little conviction. Bersant Celina put a shot wide before substitute Courtney Baker-richardson did the same.
Pukki hit the post late on but an extra goal wasn’t needed. Job done for Norwich, who can now relax for the rest of the weekend.