' MATCH THREAD ' CARDIFF CITY v NORWICH' MATCH THREAD

Hoolahan looks for Wildschut at the back post, Connolly heads behind. Corner, Murphy to take... [Car 0-0 Nor]

Murphy looks for Dijks at the back post but the corner clears everybody and Cardiff come away with the ball. [Car 0-0 Nor]

Norwich are incisive, playing the ball on the deck, but forward with good tempo when they break. Cardiff are attempting to do the same, with Harris and Hoilett off and running at any opportunity. It’s the Canadian on the left, who’s causing all sorts of problems right now. Cardiff corner.

Whittingham’s corner is nodded away but Cardiff pen Norwich in their own area for a time. A really positive start this from the Bluebirds.

Gunnarsson with his first long throw of the match, Dijks gets a head to it in the box. [Car 0-0 Nor]

Pressure

Gunnar with a long throw... cleared partially by Norwich but Zohore earns applause by putting the Canaries’ back line under severe pressure, before Connolly’s deflected shot bounces safe.

Dijks holds off the full-back and crosses well, but Cardiff get it clear.

Hoilett beats Pinto on the left and crosses, Martin is there to head away.

Sol solid

Careful lads! Bamba with a couple of Sol Bamba clearances (TM).

He humps the ball into row Z after Norwich enjoyed a period of sustained pressure. Murphy whizzes a ball across the face of goal. And breathe.

Early thoughts

Midway through the first half and you’d think Neil Warnock will be the happier of the two managers. There have been moments of spark from Junior Hoilett on the left flank, and Ken Zohore is putting himself about. You wouldn’t say the Bluebirds merited a 1-0 lead (and they haven’t, yet, got one) but it’s been pretty positive. The Norwich fans and players know they’re in a battle. Cardiff need to be wary of the counter-attack though. The Canaries boast some searing space.

Lucky

Crunch goes Gunnar into a big challenge to trigger a Cardiff attack. Poor from Hoilett to give it away and here come Norwich...oooh Cardiff escape with an offside decision against Jerome, who had the goal at his mercy following a fine through ball by Hoolahan.

Three wise men

The Norwich coaching staff are putting their heads together, trying to devise a way of uprooting this resolute Cardiff team. They’re tough and they’re brave.

Unfortunately they’re not composed, as Zohore takes a heavy touch when a lighter one would have allowed him a shot on goal.

Safe hands

McGregor does well there, when Jerome was looking to wriggle free and stab it goalwards. The big Scot smothered the ball and clung on. Good hands

Howson high and wide

There’s absolute no time for the Norwich midfield when they get the ball! Joe Ralls hasn’t stopped. Jonny Howson with the first genuine Norwich shot on goal, blazed over.

Howson fires in a half volley from 30 yards, McGregor watches it over his bar. Half an hour gone here. [Car 0-0 Nor]

Close! Morrison's header is short and Jerome races onto it, McGregor does very well to block his shot. [Car 0-0 Nor]

Great save!

Super McGregor! He makes himself big to deny Jerome... who had the goal gaping following a loose header from Morrison. The Norwich forward was trying to bend it into the far corner.

City move forward, Hoolahan holds onto the ball in the box and looks for Tettey but his pass is intercepted. [Car 0-0 Nor]

Jerome again. Damn him.

Murphy races with Richards and goes down in the area, nothing given.

Gunnarsson sticks out his leg and brings down Jerome, City free-kick about 35 yards out. [Car 0-0 Nor]

Honestly why is it always Jerome, since he left us he always manages to get on the sheet.

Cardiff 0 Norwich 1 HT

Norwich in complete control.

KEY EVENT
GOAL!

1-0 Norwich. And it’s former Cardiff man Cameron Jerome, who heads it beyond a stranded Allan McGregor and that stat about Cardiff not conceding can be put to bed.

Sorry about that half-time Norwich leading 0-1

We had the chance to bring in Jerome when we went down but we bought rubbish instead.

Jerome wins another flick-on, Murphy nearly gets to Richards' header but McGregor is there. [Car 0-1 Nor]

Hoilett crosses from the left, City had left Whittingham free but he can't reach it. Goal-kick.

Hoolahan falls down and City have a free-kick. Central position, about 30 yards out...

Now a chance for Whittingham to deliver a set piece from the right. It was aimed towards Bamba but had a little too much pace on it.