Norwich Win But Wait For Promotion Confirmation

A Swansea victory over Millwall meant that Norwich could not win promotion today but they started the game like a team bent on returning to the Premier League. The Canaries dominated the first half with wave after wave of attack.

Max Aarons #2 of Norwich City and Kamil Jozwiak #7 of Derby County challenge for the ball

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They got their reward in the 21st minute when Kieran Dowell was fouled on the edge of the penalty box by Craig Forsyth. Dowell took the free kick and curled it beautifully into the top left corner of the net leaving Derby keeper David Marshall stranded. It was a thoroughly deserved reward for Norwich’s inventive play.

GOAL Kieran Dowell #10 of Norwich City scores from a free kick to make it 0-1

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CELEBRATION, Kieran Dowell #10 of Norwich City celebrates scoring to make it 0-1

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Although they kept pressing they couldn’t find a second goal but Todd Cantwell came closest with a low driving shot which Marshall saved.

Todd Cantwell #14 of Norwich City reacts

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The second half was a completely different story. Derby seemed to have worked out at half time what they needed to do to nullify the threat from Norwich. Their continuous driving from midfield seemed to knock Norwich off their rhythm and th fluency of play was lost.

Daniel Farke the Norwich City Manager on the sidelines during the game

Photo: Conor Molloy/News Images

Derby had their chances but just couldn’t make the final ball work through to goal. Their biggest chance came when goalkeeper Tim Krul ran out of his box towards the corner flag and was dispossessed by Colin Kazim-Richards who then passed to Graeme Shinnie. With an open goal at his mercy shine was put off by some good defending and fluffed his chance for an equaliser.

Colin Kazim-Richards #13 of Derby County during the game

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Wayne Rooney the Derby manager seemed to sum up the game perfectly when he said afterwards that his team showed the league leaders too much respect in the first 25 minute but said they grew in confidence and created a lot of problems for Norwich in the second half.

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Wayne Rooney the Derby County Manager on the sidelines during the game

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Rooney knows that the next few games are now crucial fore Derby particularly the two home fixtures against fellow relegations strugglers Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City. Norwich meanwhile just have to wait a bit longer to celebrate their automatic promotion place.

Wayne Rooney the Derby County Manager and Daniel Farke the Norwich City Manager touch fists at the end of the game

Photo: Conor Molloy/News Images

Written by: Conor Molloy

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