ADAMBUSTER

Canaries’ teen star Idah blasts hat-trick

TEENAGE terror Adam Idah stole the show with a superb hat-trick as Norwich put their Premier League struggles behind them.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 striker was on fire as the Canaries made sure there was no upset away to Championship promotionchasers Preston.

Cuban winger Onel Hernandez was also on target as Daniel Farke’s on-song side claimed a much-needed victory to end an unwanted eight-game winless run.

Billy Bodin pulled a goal back for the hosts immediately after the break, but the East Anglian outfit’s stellar first-half display ultimately did the damage.

And Idah secured his first senior hat-trick from the penalty spot just after the hour mark having been hauled down by Connor Ripley, the stand-in Preston keeper, who had a horror show.

There was still time for Josh Harrop to reduce the Lancashire side’s deficit, when he scored with five minutes left, but it couldn’t take the gloss off a fine win.

“Adam deserves to be in the spotlight,” said Farke. “He grabbed his chance with both hands, he was ready to deliver on this stage.

“Believe me I criticise him a lot on his weaknesses, but it’s also important to give him confidence.

“Adam has to prove a lot in the future, but this was an ideal start.

“It was a professional and concentrated performance. We’re pleased to be through to the fourth round for the first time in seven years. I never had a feeling we’d lose the game. The lads were brilliant.”

Idah (left), who could now stand in for the injured Teemu Pukki, needed just 84 seconds to fire the Canaries ahead.

The 18-year-old coolly slotted in the bottom corner after the Lilywhites were caught sleeping.

And then Hernandez doubled the lead in the 28th minute with a shot which Ripley inexplicably let sneak under his body.

Ripley’s miserable afternoon got worse when he raced off his line, scuffed his clearance and Idah gladly lobbed him from 45 yards into an empty net.

Bodin pulled a goal back, heading in from close range after Jayden Stockley set him up.

But despite a string of smart saves from impressive keeper Michael Mcgovern, Farke’s side were never in doubt at Deepdale.

And Ripley made sure of that with yet another error, sending Idah sprawling with a reckless challenge and the striker scored from the spot.

Preston boss Alex Neil said: “The first goal is far too simple, but one of my biggest disappointments is that their second goal was offside.

“There were a couple of poor decisions against us for goals.”