Ramsey and Sara strike in 3-1 win over Stoke City

Aaron Ramsey scored a brace and Gabriel Sara netted as Norwich City returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Stoke City.

Aaron Ramsey scored a brace and Gabriel Sara netted as Norwich City returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Stoke City.

Ramsey opened the scoring before half-time and added a second after the break, with Sara making it three shortly after.

Nick Powell would pull one back for Stoke in injury time, as they claimed a late consolation.

The victory sees the Canaries returning to winning ways in the SkyBet Championship.

Dean Smith made six changes from Tuesday night's defeat at Burnley. Sam Byram, Ben Gibson, Kieran Dowell, Ramsey, Onel Hernández, and Liam Gibbs all went into the starting-line up.

The game's first effort fell to the hosts. Lewis Baker fired one from distance, but it was well wide of Angus Gunn's post.

Gunn was later called into action to deny Harry Clarke's effort, saving well with his knee.

The Canaries' first chance of the game came from a corner, as Byram rose to meet Dowell's delivery. He couldn't keep his header down, however.

We'd take the lead seven minutes before half-time. Liam Gibbs won the ball back from Baker and found Teemu Pukki, whose shot was parried into the path of Ramsey who bundled the ball home.

The Yellows were immediately on the front foot after the break, as Isaac Hayden saw his venomous volley saved by Joe Bursik at the second attempt.

Stoke would come forward with their first attempt on goal in the second half, with Jacob Brown only finding the side-netting with his effort.

The visitors almost had an equaliser through substitute Nick Powell, but couldn't guide his header on target.

Despite Stoke's chances, Ramsey would add his, and Norwich's, second of the game as the lead was doubled. After combining well with Pukki, the Finn's backhell sent Ramsey one-on-one and he finished beyond Bursik.

Sara then came close to adding a third shortly after, forcing the Stoke goalkeeper into a smart stop.

The flurry of attacks continued for Norwich, with Todd Cantwell the next to threaten. His effort saw Bursik making another save.

Norwich's third goal would inevitably come. Marcelino Núñez's shot is saved, before Sara reacted quickest to fire in the rebound.

Gunn was forced in a double save as Stoke went in search of a way back into the game, but the 'keeper did well to deny both Ben Wilmot and D'Margio Wright-Phillips.

Jordan Hugill almost added a fourth for Norwich, but was smothered by Bursik.

Stoke would find a way beyond Gunn, as Powell fired in a late consolation for the visitors.

Norwich City: Gunn, Byram, Hanley, Gibson, Hayden (Cantwell 67), Dowell (Sara 56), McCallum, Ramsey, Pukki (Hugill 80), Hernández (Núñez 67), Gibbs.

Subs not used: Krul, Aarons, Tomkinson.

Goals: Ramsey (38, 71), Sara (77)

Bookings: Dowell (19), Hernández (45), McCallum (59), Hayden (62), Byram (65), Hanley (87)

Stoke City: Bursik, Clarke, Jagielka, Wilmot, Fox, Smallbone (Powell 63), Laurent, Baker (Thompson 75), Brown, Gayle (Delap 75), Fosu (Wright-Phillips 75).

Subs not used: Bonham, Flint, Sparrow.

Goals: Powell (90)

Bookings: Gayle (31), Laurent (81)

HT: 1-0

FT: 3-1

Venue: Carrow Road

Referee: Keith Stroud

Attendance: 26,159

Golden Goal Time:

Goal 1 - 37:49

Goal 2 - 70:20

Goal 3 - 76:45

Goal 4 - 90:00

Today's Lucky Number is 1759, with the prize being a rollover consisting of a VIP Away Day for two v Coventry, and a £250 retail voucher.