First-half Pukki goal enough to see off Blackpool

Norwich City returned to winning ways in the Sky Bet Championship with a 1-0 win at Blackpool, courtesy of a first-half Teemu Pukki strike.

Norwich City returned to winning ways in the Sky Bet Championship with a 1-0 win at Blackpool, courtesy of a first-half Teemu Pukki strike.

After drawing 1-1 with West Brom last time out, the Canaries returned to winning ways at Bloomfield Road.

The hosts certainly started the livelier of the two sides but without testing Tim Krul in the Norwich goal.

One effort glanced past his post while, at the other end, the Yellows looked threatening when they got forward.

Blackpool's best chance came in the 16th minute when Theo Corbeanu got on the end of a deflected loss and fired an effort off the upright and wide.

The first half turned on Pukki's goal. The Finn latching on to a ball just inside the opposition half and making no mistake in finishing off the chance.

Soon after, Marcelino Núñez curled a free-kick on to Chris Maxwell's crossbar before the 'keeper was called into action to tip over Kenny McLean's fizzing long-range strike.

Krul was busy after the break to first deny Jerry Yates with his feet before tipping a Callum Wright free around the post.

Norwich's best chance to extend their lead came when Pukki struck low at Maxwell and Josh Sargent's rebound was cleared off the line by Marvin Ekpiteta.

Dean Smith's side were forced to dig deep to see out the win in the end as the rain started to come down but a huge, and vocal, travelling support played their part in clinching the three points.

Blackpool FC: Maxwell, Gabriel, Ekpiteta (C), Thompson, Thorniley, Dougall (Carey 83), Patino, Wright, Corbeanu (Lavery 84), Yates (Hamilton 83), Poveda (Madine 69).

Subs not used: Grimshaw, Connolly, Bridgett

Bookings: Gabriel (10), Dougall (39), Ekpiteta (90+2)

Norwich City: Krul, Aarons, Hanley (C), Omobamidele, Byram, McLean, Ramsey (Sinani 76), Núñez (Sara 87), Hernández (Dowell 65), Sargent, Pukki (Gibbs 76).

Subs not used: Gunn, Gibson, Hugill.

Goals: Pukki (21)

Bookings: None

HT: 0-1

FT: 0-1

Venue: Bloomfield Road

Referee: David Coote

Attendance: 11,594