CANARIES FLY BACK INTO THE PREMIER
...but Blades drop
JUBILANT Norwich City are heading back to the Premier League – despite losing 3-1 at home to Bournemouth last night.
Daniel Farke’s Canaries knew they were up even before the game against the in-form Cherries. Home draws for third-placed Swansea, 2-2 against Wycombe, and fourth-placed Brentford, 0-0 versus Millwall, meant they were promoted.
Emi Buendia gave Norwich a fifth-minute lead, but they then lost defender Dimitris Giannoulis to a a red card for a foul on Ben Pearson.
Bournemouth hit back with second half goals from Sam Surridge, Arnaut Danjuma and Lloyd Kelly to spoil the party mood.
While Norwich make an instant return to the Premier League, Sheffield United are coming the other way after relegation from the top-flight was confirmed with a 1-0 defeat at Wolves last night.
BOURNEMOUTH spoiled the Norwich promotion party when they swept to victory at Carrow Road.
The hosts, whose elevation to the top flight had been confirmed by other results earlier in the day, took an early lead through Emi Buendia before the course of the game was turned by a first-half red card.
With more than 70 minutes still to play, Greek left-back Dimitris Giannoulis was dismissed for a poor challenge on Ben Pearson, and it was a totally different game after that, with Jonathan Woodgate’s side taking control after the interval.
The visitors scored twice in seven minutes early in the second half through substitute Sam Surridge and the hugely impressive Arjan Danjuma, with a third goal from Lloyd Kelly putting the icing on the cake.
It was a sixth straight win from Bournemouth, who now look secure in the playoff positions, and only a sixth defeat of the season for the home side, who will now be looking to clinch the title by beating second placed Watford on Tuesday.
Norwich celebrated promotion in style by opening the scoring after just five minutes with a brilliant team goal.
Playing out from the back in the style that helped them make an immediate return to the top flight, the Canaries worked the ball to Kenny McLean, who picked out Teemu Pukki in the box with an inch-perfect pass.
The City top scorer held the ball up as Buendia made a burst into the box before releasing a perfectly timed pass which allowed the Argentine playmaker to flick the ball past Asmir Begovic for his 13th goal of the season.
The hosts continued to look dangerous every time they attacked but were dealt a severe blow on 17th when Giannoulis mistimed a challenge on Pearson and caught him on a shin, prompting referee Graham Scott to brandish a red card.
With the champions-elect down to 10 men the dynamic of the game quickly changed and Solanke went close on the half hour mark when his flick from a low Danjuma cross was blocked by keeper Tim Krul.
The visitors finally got the goal they deserved after 50 minutes, with half-time substitute Sam Surridge quick to make his presence felt.
On for midfielder Jefferson Lerma, Surridge popped up at the back post to convert Lloyd
Kelly’s cross, which had taken a deflection off a defender.
Buendia fired a shot just wide as Daniel Farke’s side sought a response, but it was Bournemouth who scored again after 57 minutes to turn the game on its head.
There seemed little danger when Danjuma picked the ball up on the left midway inside the home half. He moved inside and skipped past a couple of challenges before cracking a right foot drive into the top corner.
The Cherries stretched their lead after 76 minutes. This time Kelly provided the fireworks, sending a low shot past Krul from 25 yards out after Danjuma had stroked the ball into his path. Replays suggested Danjuma was offside, but the goal was allowed to stand.
flect on the chances we had, a game that we should have won.
“But we’ll come in tomorrow, go again. We’ll be positive. As a staff, we have to make sure that we’re bright, that we show the lads things they did well. We’ve still got a chance.”
If the games are running out too swiftly for Smith and Moore, Pearson must be grateful that the fixtures calendar is drawing to a close.
Injury-plagued and woefully short on confidence, the side he inherited from Dean Holden in February have lost 12 of their last 17 matches and – on this evidence – couldn’t beat an egg.
Even before the red card, they were careless in possession and looked horribly vulnerable every time a ball was swirled into their box.
The opener was a case in point. Bannan dispatched a deep corner, Josh Windass nodded across goal and Julian Borner glanced in from close range.
After 22 minutes, Callum Paterson was allowed the freedom of the box to meet an Adam Reach delivery. Though his connection was poor, the ball looked to be looping into the net before Lansbury leapt with arm outstretched. Replays showed that the ball hit the bar, but Pearson has no complaints. “I can see why it was given,” he said. “In real time, it looks like handball.”
Had Bannan showed his customary cool, the points would have been safe. But Bentley guessed right, caught the Scot’s weak effort, and so the tide turned.
Smith’s side huffed and puffed.
Liam Palmer struck a post. City were again grateful to Bentley for saving at the feet of Kadeem Harris. But, all too often, Owls players hurried a shot or failed to capitalise on an error.
Bristol City had created nothing but, with just three minutes left, sub Steven Sessegnon found Bakinson who whipped a precise effort into the bottom corner.
“Tyreeq was good today,” said Pearson, whose side climbed one place to 14th. “He’s a still a very young player and it’s important that he understands what is needed to improve.
“But in possession he was very assured, and he did the legwork, which was important. We couldn’t have got the result without every player being fully committed and Tyreeq exemplified that.”