BRADLEY Johnson and Lewis Grabban got the goals to earn Norwich City an excellent 2-0 win over fellow promotion hopefuls Wolves on Saturday.

Johnson's header midway through the first half gave the Canaries the crucial half-time advantage after a dominant 45.

Wolves edged back into the game after the break but Grabban netted at the vital moment to stem their momentum and wrap up the three points.

The result meant the Canaries elevated themselves into the top six, with their promotion charge gathering pace after an impressive display at Carrow Road.

City were unchanged before kick-off with Gary Hooper and Grabban retaining their places in attack as Tuesday's matchwinner Cameron Jerome had to settle for a spot on the bench.

Sebastien Bassong started against former club, who made one alteration from their 4-1 midweek victory at Huddersfield Town.

Alex Neil had not made any attempts to downplay the importance of the game before kick-off, and in the first half his side rose to the occasion.

They were the better team from the off, restricting their opponents high up the pitch and applying constant pressure.

Nathan Redmond missed with a whipped shot and Johnson stretched to head over at the back-post, but it was those two players who were to combine to break the deadlock on 28 minutes.

Redmond delivered City's first corner into the danger area, and Johnson flew in to head it past Tomasz Kuszczak via a deflection for his eighth goal of the campaign.

John Ruddy was quickly off his line to deny Nouha Dicko in one of Wolves rare ventures forward, but Neil's plans were working for the Canaries as they looked hungrier and tactically sharper than their visitors.

Clearcut chances were at a premium, though, with Grabban and Martin Olsson going closest before half-time for the home team, while Bakary Sako struck an effort at Ruddy just prior to the whistle.

HALF-TIME: Norwich City 1-0 Wolves

Kenny Jackett made a tactical switch at the break, introducing Dave Edwards - scorer of the winning goal at Molineux on the opening day of the season - for Dicko.

Grabban and Gary Hooper tried to test Kuszczak from range, while up the other end the direct running of Dominic Iorfa caused problems for City's backline.

Thankfully Ruddy was quickly onto his low cross, but this was Wolves' best spell of the game as the Canaries back-line was under real pressure for the first time.

However, on 67 minutes, Carrow Road erupted as Grabban doubled City's advantage against the run of play.

Bassong with the unlikely creator, sliding a delightful ball the Olsson on the left flank, and Grabban was on hand to convert his low cross.

The goal came at a crucial time for Neil's men and the momentum of the contest swung back in their favour.

From then on, they were the dominant side once more and progressed comfortably to an important three Sky Bet Championship three points.

FULL-TIME: Norwich City 2-0 Wolves

GOALS: Canaries: Bradley Johnson (28), Lewis Grabban (67) - Wolves:

NORWICH CITY: Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin (c), Bassong, Olsson (Garrido 90); Redmond (Andreu 66), Tettey, Howson, Johnson; Hooper (Jerome 83), Grabban. Subs not used: Rudd (GK), Cuellar, Hoolahan, Josh Murphy.

WOLVES: Kuszczak; Iorfa, Batth (c), Stearman, Hause (Golbourne 78); McDonald, Price, van La Parra, Afobe, Sako; Dicko (Edwards 45). Subs not used: Flatt (GK), Henry, Evans, Ebanks-Landell, Jacobs.

REFEREE: Neil Swarbrick

ATTENDANCE: 26,322

GOLDEN GOAL TIMES brought to you with Richard Pike Associates:

27:12, 66:15

Norwich City v Wolves

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