Marco Stieps it up
NORWICH PLAYMAKER SINKS SWANS TO GO THIRD
MARCO STIEPERMANN scored his first goal in 19 months as Norwich stopped Swansea from going top.
The German playmaker, 29, struck with six minutes left to send the Canaries up to third – and push the Swans down to sixth.
Stiepermann was a big hit at in 2018- 19 when City strolled into the Premier League as champions.
But he was totally out of his depth in the Premier League and hadn’t scored since April 2019 before winning this one.
Canaries boss Daniel
Farke explained why he had stuck with his fellow countryman. He said: “Stiepi is a fantastic guy who never lets us down, even last season he put in many good performances.
“He was struggling to deliver but he proved two years ago that he deserved to be labelled the best No.10.
“If he can get his confidence back he can shine at this level.” It was all Norwich at the beginning as the Canaries penned Swansea into their own half, but the visitors almost snatched the lead nonetheless.
Andre Ayew lost his marker to get on the end of Connor Roberts’ corner in the 22nd minute and saw h is header bounce back off a post.
Then Jamal Lowe forced a reflex save from home keeper Tim Krul – the first of many.
Lowe missed an even better chance midway through the second half when sub Matt Grimes sent him through only to fire straight at Krul.
Krul saved Norwich again straight after, battering away Ayew’s shot after Max Aarons appeared to have fouled Jake Bidwell in the penalty area as the defender struggled to deal with Roberts’ cross.
Swans boss Steve Cooper said: “The players are adam ant that it was a penalty but I don’t want to say too much.”
Krul then denied Lowe again with a one-handed save after Ayew’s backheel had again opened up the Canaries defence.
It was end-to-end stuff as both sides kept their eye on the prize, with Teemu Pukki shooting on sight for Norwich.
Stiepermann won it with a sweet left-footer that went in off a post after sub Bali Mumba had crossed for Emi Buendia to tee up the German from 16 yards.
“It’s a tough one to take – we created more than enough chances to win the game but we didn’t take them,” Cooper added. NORWICH CITY: Krul 8; Aarons 7, Hanley 6, Zimmermann 6, Sorensen 6 (Mumba 68, 7); Skipp 6, McLean 6; Buendia 6 (Tettey 90), Stiepermann 7, Placheta 6 (Martin 68, 5); Pukki 6.
Unused subs: McGovern, Vrancic, Hugill, Idah. SWANSEA CITY: Woodman 7; Naughton 6 (Grimes 46, 6), Bennett 7, Guehi 7; Roberts 9, Smith 7, Fulton 6 Dhanda 86), Bidwell 6; Palmer 6 (Gyokeres 59, 6); Lowe 6, Ayew 8.
Unused subs: Benda, Manning, Routledge, Latibeaudiere.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Connor Roberts. Magnificent in defence and a menace in attack. REFEREE: Darren England 6.