Norwich City held to goalless draw against QPR

Norwich City had to settle for a solitary point as they were held to a goalless draw at home to Queens Park Rangers.

Norwich City had to settle for a solitary point as they were held to a goalless draw at home to Queens Park Rangers.

The Canaries came close on a number of occasions to go in front. Teemu Pukki hit the post in the first half, with Onel Hernández coming close after coming on as a sub.

City thought they had won the game with the final kick of the game as Grant Hanley volleyed goalwards, just to see the ball hit the post and go wide.

Todd Cantwell and Gabriel Sara both returned to the starting line-up. Sam Byram also started, who made his 50th appearance for the club.

The game's first real opportunity would fall to the Yellows. Cantwell combined well with Sam McCallum, who found Gabriel Sara with his cut-back. Sara's powerful drive forced Seny Dieng into a smart save.

Down the other end, the visitors registered their first attempt on goal through Ilias Chair. The effort was good, but it was met with a strong palm from Angus Gunn.

The Canaries continued to threaten in the game's opening 15 minutes, as Pukki was next to have a go. Aaron Ramsey latched onto Byram's ball forward and found the Finn, but Dieng got a hand to his effort to put the ball over the crossbar.

Pukki then came within inches of the first goal. After a brilliant pass from Byram, the striker jinked beyond one defender before seeing his first effort blocked by another. His second attempt looked destined for the far corner, just for it to come back out off the post.

After a quiet spell in the game, Cantwell latched onto a loose pass and fed Pukki, who couldn't quite squeeze a shot beyond a wall of defenders.

Late in the first half, Gunn was forced into a smart stop low at his near post, saving well from Tim Iroegbunam's drive.

Cantwell almost gave City the lead eight minutes into the second half with a speculative effort, with Dieng having to tip the ball over the bar.

QPR would have two opportunities to open the scoring. The first saw Chris Willock hit the post, before Gunn denied Lyndon Dykes' header.

Marcelino Núñez looked a danger after his introduction. First, his corner caused havoc in the QPR area before his venomous effort required a defender to block for a corner.

Hernández had a chance to find a late winner for the Canaries, breaking beyond the last defender before seeing his shot saved by the body of Dieng.

There was almost late heroics from City and from Hanley, as the Scot's volley hit the outside of the post, but the points would end up shared.

Norwich City: Gunn, Byram (Aarons 83), Hanley, Gibson, Hayden (Dowell 83), Cantwell (Núñez 69), McCallum (McLean 69), Sara (Hernández 65), Ramsey, Pukki, Gibbs.

Subs not used: Krul, Hugill.

Bookings: Byram (30).

QPR: Dieng, Laird, Dickie, Balogun, Paal, Field, Iroegbunam, Dozzell (Willock 56), Amos (Shodipo 83), Chair (Adomah 83), Dykes (Bonne 83).

Subs not used: Archer, Kakay, Hamalainen.

Bookings: Iroegbunam (1), Field (47), Dykes (75),

HT: 0-0

FT: 0-0

Venue: Carrow Road

Referee: Robert Madley

Attendance: 25,458