Canaries fly high as Pukki gets off mark
NORWICH propped up the Championship table in mid-August amid a worrying start. But a fifth consecutive win saw them lead the standings on Saturday night as they hunt for another immediate return to the Premier League. They made light work of COVENTRY, winning 3-0 thanks to goals by Teemu Pukki, Josh Sargent and Kieran Dowell.
United States international Sargent has scored five goals in eight appearances, while Pukki — the club’s top scorer in each of the last four campaigns — opened his account for the season after injury struggles had limited him to cameos from the bench.
‘It was important for me to get Teemu in,’ said Norwich boss Dean Smith. ‘He changed the last two games and he deserved his start and his goal. He’s a massive player. ‘It’s never easy to win five games on the trot in any league, let alone this one.’
In League One, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house at EXETER as Jay Stansfield made his debut wearing the No 9 shirt worn by his late father Adam.
The 19-year-old Fulham loanee came off the bench in the Grecians’ 1-0 win over MK DONS on the ground where his dad was a fan favourite before he died of bowel cancer in 2010 aged just 31.
‘To see him in the No 9 shirt is incredible and it brings back memories of the Exeter team I played in alongside his father,’ said
Exeter boss Matt Taylor after Cheick Diabate headed the winner. ‘It’s a tragic story and one we were all part of. Jay is outstanding and had a really positive impact on the game. We’ll offer all the love he needs and I can’t wait to see what he can do.’
In League Two, STEVENAGE boss Steve Evans lost his temper but then saw his team win three points to continue their bright start to the season. Trailing to Rod McDonald’s goal after CREWE had earlier missed a penalty, Evans was livid when his own side had a spot-kick appeal turned down and was booked for his rant.
He gave his players a half-time ‘hairdryer’ and they fought back thanks to two Jamie Reid goals. ‘I would call it a brash conversation with the players’, said Evans.