Norwich City extended their winning streak to six games following, seeing off a competitive and dangerous Bristol City side at Carrow Road.
A first-half brace from Teemu Pukki and Josh Sargent’s header after the interval proved more than enough for the Canaries.
Bristol City did threaten for prolonged periods, twice hauling themselves back into the game through goals from Tommy Conway and substitute Antoine Semenyo.
Ultimately, Norwich refused to ever surrender the lead, despite some defensive rearguard action.
Dean Smith named an unchanged starting team following the victory against Coventry City. The only change came from the bench, where Michael McGovern came in for Angus Gunn.
Prior to kick off, both teams paid tribute to the late Her Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth II, observing a minute’s silence followed by the national anthem.
Within the first minute Tommy Conway found himself in space just inside the Norwich area following a loose pass, but his shot was tucked wide of the far post.
A mis-judgement at the other end presented City with the opening goal of the game on 11 minutes.
Kenny McLean’s clever quick free-kick from inside his own half bounced awkwardly in-front of the backpedaling Bristol defender Kai Naismith. Pukki was alive and alert, stealing in behind the Bristol rearguard, poking the bouncing ball over the onrushing goalkeeper before nodding into an empty net.
Norwich’s second goal followed shortly after. Following an impressive interception by McLean, Aaron Ramsey then delivered precise through ball to Pukki. The Finn raced away before firing beyond Dan Bentley, via a slight deflection from covering defender Zak Vyner.
Bristol responded immediately, countering down the right side. A ball into the area fell at the feet of Nakhi Wells, who saw an effort blocked by Andrew Omobamidele, before Jay Dasilva slammed the loose ball into a covering Max Aarons.
Just before half time was called, Bristol halved the deficit on the stroke of half time.
Conway headed home from point blank range following Wells’ cross from the left channel following a sustained period of press for the visitors.
The second half passed with little action, as the game became somewhat disjointed and lacking in tempo.
Following double Norwich substitution and injection of energy came in the form of of Gabriel Sara and Onel Hernández.
On 66 minutes Sara was the provider for Norwich’s third of the evening.
The Brazilian delivered a pinpoint corner kick that was met by the head of Sargent at the near post, with the ball flashing beyond Bentley an into the back of the Barclay-end net.
With the wind in their sails, Norwich went in search of a fourth. Marcelino Núñez saw a dipping shot from range fumbled clear by Bentley before the Bristol stopper was alert to claw away Pukki’s point blank effort.
With just ten minutes remaining Bristol struck back once again. Substitute Semenyo fired home from just inside the area, after the visitors had pinched possession deep inside the Norwich half.
Another Norwich sub, Danel Sinani, saw a late chance saved and being sent in the clear by Hernandez, but for the remainder of the game it was the visitors who pushed for an equaliser.
But despite numerous advances from the away side, Norwich stood strong to secure victory.
Norwich City Starting XI: Krul, Aarons, Byram, Omobamidele, Hanley (C) (Gibson 84), Cantwell (Sara 60), Ramsey (Hernández 60), Pukki (Sinani 76), McLean, Sargent, Núñez (Dowell 85)
Subs not used: McGovern, Hugill
Goals: Pukki (11, 23), Sargent (66)
Bookings:
Bristol City Starting XI: Bentley (C), Dasilva, Naismith, Atkinson (Martin 85), James, Scott, Welmann, Conway (Williams 76), Sykes (Semenyo 68), Wells, Vyner
Subs not used: O'Leary, King, Tanner, Massengo
Goals: Conway (45), Semenyo (77)
Bookings:
HT: 2-1
Venue: Carrow Road
Referee: David Webb
Attendance: 25,287
Additional minutes: six
Tonight's official Golden Goal times are as follows.
1st Goal:10.19
2nd Goal: 22.14
3rd Goal: 43.43
4th Goal: 64.40
5th Goal: 76.28
Our Lucky Number is 1201. The winner will receive a squad signed replica shirt.