World news – FI – Creative genius helps Canary Islands secure number one Christmas

Emi Buendia and Todd Cantwell were on the score sheet when Norwich City beat Cardiff City on Carrow Road
– Photo credit: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images Ltd

Back in September, two attacking midfielders gave Norwich City boss Daniel Farke a headache. Fast forward three months and both are thriving as the Canary Islands continue their promotion with the win over Cardiff City

Emi Buendia and Todd Cantwell were both dizzy after widespread speculation meant they were not focusing on the job for Norwich. Both were heavily criticized by Farke for leaving both of his roster when they traveled to Bournemouth in September / p>

But as we neared another transfer window, Buendia found rich form and Cantwell scored his first goal of the season when the Canaries beat Cardiff City 2-0 on Carrow Road

Buendia opened the scoring after receiving a sweet pass from Kenny McLean and heading for goal. His shot kissed the bottom corner and brought City into the 27th Minute in lead Cantwell doubled his lead with a violent drive into the top corner after teaming up with the Argentine in the second half

City’s boss made two changes to his side, naming the City Academy graduate in place of Josh Martin, who fell on the bench

Mario Vrancic came into play before Marco Stiepermann, and the Canaries appointed a full matchday squad for the first time in six games Lukas Rupp returned after an injury and was named among the substitutes

Canarian striker Teemu Pukki was there in the early hours of Saturday morning for the birth of his second child Ella, before leading the line to City just a few hours later

The Bluebirds also shuffled their backpack with Neil Harris, who made two changes from the side that won 3-2 against Birmingham City

Greg Cunningham and Joe Ralls returned to the grid in place of Joe Bennett and Gavin Whyte, with the latter dropping Josh Murphy’s Carrow Road meeting suspended due to an illness

Although the visitors prevailed successfully in the first ten minutes of the game, Cantwell had the first chance Buendia’s sweet pass made Jacob Sorensen run off to the left, cutting in and finding the 22-year-old but his side attempt was from outside the box blocked

The Canaries were even closer to the deadline after Max found Aarons Buendia on the right after some decent legwork, the Argentine noticed Kenny McLean shot into the pits and selected the Scot with a pass His fleeting header fell just wide

Pukki had his first goalscorer moments later after Cantwell rolled the defender and found the Finn with an excellent pass The angle was tight and City’s top scorer failed to hit the target with his little effort

Cardiff’s first chance at the game came after 25 minutes when towering striker Robert Glatzel hit Harry Wilson’s free kick and headed him in. The German had a real force behind him and Michael McGovern claimed the ball on his line

Buendia has been criticized in a few areas for not adding goals to his game, which he continues to do in the championship this season

After a clever pass from McLean that broke the lines, Buendia shot towards goal before triggering a low ride into the corner of the net, making it his fifth goal in seven games for City

Wilson’s free kicks proved a dangerous weapon in Cardiff’s arsenal The Liverpool loanee won a set piece after being fouled by Sorensen. His efforts from the left never worried McGovern

City had to thank his goalkeeper shortly afterwards when Sean Morrison’s header was destined for the net from close range McGovern made an incredible save to scrape it away before Glatzel’s attempt deviated from the goal, the linesman then reported offside / p>

Just before half-time, Cantwell had a great opportunity to double the Canaries’ lead. Buendia found him on the left and he opened his body looking for the back corner but was blocked by Curtis Nelson

Teemu Pukki had a frustrating afternoon despite playing hours after his hidden daughter was born
– Photo credit: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images Ltd

Pukki got the chance to score seconds after the break as he clung to Leandro Bacuna’s loose pass, the Finn was one on one with Alex Smithies and was about to beat the Cardiff goalkeeper but hit his shot wide

The Finland international was clearly sent again soon after, this time around an excellent teamwork between Buendia, Mario Vrancic and Cantwell when that Pukki found his touch was heavy and Smithies collected with ease

A counterattack by the city almost resulted in them adding to the lead in 60 minutes Ollie Skipps pass let Cantwell run away His pass to Pukki was poor but the striker managed to return it to the 22-year-old

His pass found Buendia, who cushioned the ball in Vrancic’s path but pulled his shot far

The influential Argentine then saw another shot after Pukki was sent off Cardiff’s defense to find Buendia and his efforts from outside the box were pushed far by Smithies

Buendia was the architect again and found Cantwell despite being occupied by a multitude of Cardiff players Cantwell turned around before delivering a heavy blow on the gate It nestled in the top corner and hit Smithies

The pair almost added themselves to a third when Cantwell released Buendia within the area.His curling effort only went a long way

Buendia played the lead role in the win, scoring his fifth goal in seven games
– Photo credit: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images Ltd

– Norwich City (4-2-3-1): McGovern; Aarons (Tettey, 90), Zimmermann, Hanley (C), Sorensen; Skipp, McLean; Buendia (Dowell, 84), Vrancic (Stiepermann, 80), Cantwell; Pukki (Hugill, 90) Unused Subs: Barden (GK), Omobamidele, Rupp, Martin, Omotoye

– Cardiff City (4-2-3-1): Smithies; Bacuna, Morrison (C), Nelson, Cunningham; Vaulks, Pack (Hoilett, 66); Ralls, Wilson, Ojo (Harris, 76); GlatzelUnused subs: Phillips (GK), Benkovic, Whyte, Bamba, Bagan, Patten, Zimba

– Bookings: Nelson (outside the ball, 54), Ojo (foul on Buendia, 58), Bacuna (foul on Pukki, 81), Wilson (foul on Cantwell, 90)

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