COOK’S HANDBALL GIFT TO CANARIES
STEVE COOK’S bizarre save-of-the-season contender ended up sinking Bournemouth in this badtempered basement battle.
The Cherries defender was sent off for conceding a firsthalf penalty that Teemu Pukki converted for the only goal.
Norwich defender Ben Godfrey also saw red late on to become the first Premier League player to be dismissed via use of a touchline monitor.
And it added up to Norwich’s first home win since September and Bournemouth’s 10th defeat in their last 12 games.
That heaped more pressure on boss Eddie Howe, who admitted Cook’s moment of madness had cost his side.
He said: “The red card has decided the game. It was pure instinct from Steve. If he had thought about it, I think he would have let it go by. But you have to support him. A feeling of blame isn’t going to help us.”
Norwich remain bottom, but are now six points shy of safety thanks to their first Carrow Road clean sheet of the season.
Bournemouth are just three points ahead of the Canaries and seemingly stuck in a downward spiral.
Howe (below, in a bust-up with Pukki) added: “We have to keep fighting or we’re going to run out of games. Today was an opportunity lost.”
Cook’s Superman save was the highlight of a tense first half.
Cherries keeper Aaron Ramsdale came out swiftly to get to a through ball ahead of Pukki but gave it straight to debutant Ondrej Duda.
The on-loan Hertha Berlin man’s instant effort was going in until Cook leaped to divert it on to a post with his hand.
Referee Paul Tierney had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and sending Cook packing with a straight red.
Pukki had to wait for VAR to confirm the obvious, but the Finn made no mistake for his 10th league goal of the season.
Harry Wilson’s afternoon ended straight after as Howe brought on Simon Francis to fill the gap at the back. Norwich struggled to make use of their extra man and were relieved when Callum Wilson miskicked a great second-half chance in front of goal.
Nervous Norwich perked up eventually and Ramsdale made quality stops to deny Pukki, Duda and Emi Buendia.
Then came the Godfrey incident with 15 minutes to go.
The centre-back caught Wilson with a lunge that saw the VAR official urge Tierney to hotfoot it to the monitor.
So did all the players, goalkeepers included, and while Tierney made up his mind many argued and jostled each other.
Bournemouth piled on late pressure but Dan Gosling headed a great chance wide and keeper Tim Krul tipped Nathan Ake’s header over.
Norwich boss Daniel Farke said: “There are still another six wins needed and we probably need a few draws.
“But we want to work on this miracle.”