Teemu Pukki’s 21st-minute strike was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Norwich City at Blackpool, taking them one point clear of the Championship summit.
The 32-year-old’s cool finish means the Canaries’ eight-match unbeaten streak continues as they prepare to face third-placed Reading on Tuesday.
After a promising opening spell for the hosts, it was City who opened the scoring. Ian Poveda and Theo Corbeanu had squandered opportunities for Blackpool but Pukki made no mistake, passing Chris Maxwell after intercepting Dom Thompson’s stray pass.
Dean Smith’s side improved their performance considerably afterwards, with chances missed by Aaron Ramsey, Kenny McLean and Onel Hernandez before half-time.
Blackpool roared early in the second half with no material success, their visitors once again becoming dominant as the half wore on.
Pukki had a good chance of a brace when found by substitute Kieran Dowell, and Josh Sargent would have made it 2-0 had Marvin Ekpiteta not denied him on the goal line.
A late flurry from Blackpool meant Norwich had to stay on their toes until the final whistle, but Sam Byram’s interception of a cross en route to a tap-in for Gary Madine was as close as the Seasiders came equalize.
BLACKPOOL (3-4-3):
Director: Michael Appleton
Replacements:
32. Grimshaw (GK)
2. Connolly
14. Madine (for Poveda, 69)
16. Carey (for Roseate Roseate, 84)
19. Lavery (for Corbeanu, 84)
22. Hamilton (for Yates, 84)
35. Bridcutt
Reservations: Gabriel (10), Roseate (39)
CITY OF NORWICH (4-2-3-1):
The Head Coach: dean blacksmith
Replacements:
28. Gunn (GK)
6.Gibson
9. Hugil
10. Dowell (for Hernandez, 65)
17. Sara (for Nunez, 87)
21. Sinani (in place of Pukki, 76)
46. Gibbs (in place of Ramsey, 76)
Reservations:
KEY MOMENTS
8 – Poveda fires a long shot towards the goal and hits it well, but it flies wide of Krul’s far post.
17 – Poveda’s effort deflects into Corbeanu’s path from 12 yards out, and he smashes the post from a tight angle.
19 – Omobamidele’s heavy touch allows Roseate to enter, but the Norwich man recovers to stop the attack.
20 – Sargent does well to break into the box and cut for Pukki, but he can only shoot Thorniley in the legs.
21 – GOAL NORWICH (Pukki): Thompson fails to spot Pukki when in possession and accidentally finds the Finn with his reckless pass. The City striker moves gratefully towards goal and makes no mistakes.
23 –Ramsey finds himself in space at the edge of the box and shoots, but Maxwell makes a nice save to deny it.
34 – McLean meets Nunez’s corner at the far post and directs it towards the woodwork.
38 – Nunez whips an inverted free kick towards the far post and hits the apex.
38 – Ramsey passes the ball for Pukki and he kicks it with his left foot, but Maxwell recovers from a tight angle.
40 – Hanley’s diving header is just wide after Nunez’s cross free kick.
42 – Nunez’s long pass finds Hernandez wide and he drives inside, but his long-range effort is wide.
43 – Norwich counter and Hernandez finds Nunez, but the Chilean’s drive is well saved by Maxwell.
44 – Ramsey’s flick finds Sargent working the ball to his left but sees his shot deflected into Maxwell’s arms.
45+1 – Wright goes one-on-one and is denied by Krul, whose save loops for Blackpool’s wing-back to head. His effort makes an agonizing loop through the goal.
Half Time – Blackpool 0-1 Norwich City
48 – McLean gives the ball away and Poveda leads the scoring, Yates shooting towards goal from a tight angle but seeing his effort saved by Krul.
56 – Wright has a long shot but he spins wide.
67 – Dowell plays a through ball for Pukki and he shoots for the first time but is denied by Maxwell. The rebound goes to the Finn and he hits Sargent, but the 22-year-old’s effort is blocked off the line by Ekpiteta.
70 – A well-worked corner routine finds Ramsey in space at the edge of the box, but his tame effort is straight on Maxwell.
72 – Yates fires a goal from the edge of the box, but Krul pushes it away with equal ferocity.
73 – Madine’s looping header appears to be on its way over Krul, but the Dutchman leaps back to make a crucial save.
77 – Corbeanu cuts in from the right before losing Byram and shooting on goal, but Krul saves and eventually collects.
79 – Aarons’ loose touch gives the ball to Yates and he leads the counter, but Byram intercepts the cross which would have given Madine a tap-in.
90+3 – Thorniley has the last chance of the match, but stretches to go further.
Full Time – Blackpool 0-1 Norwich City
PLAYER EVALUATIONS
Krul 7, Aarons 6, Omobamidele 6, Hanley 8, Byram 6, Nunez 8, McLean 6, Sargent 6, Ramsey 8, Hernandez 6, Pukki 7. Subtitles: Dowell 5, Gibbs 6, Sinani 5, Sara 5.
MATCH STATISTICS
Possession: 47pc-53pc
Strokes: 16-22
On target: 6-8
Faults: 13-4
Corners: 8-6
Time added on: 1 min/3 mins
PRESENCE: 11,594
ARBITRATOR: David Coute
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