Warnock hails “brilliant result” as Cardiff snatch win at Norwich

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock described his side’s dramatic 2-0 win at Norwich – secured by late goals from Kenneth Zohore and Junior Hoilett – as their best result of the season.

The victory boosted Cardiff’s hopes of automatic promotion but, perhaps more importantly, ended a poor run that had seen them pick up just one point from three matches at a crucial stage of the season.

With just three minutes left, and an entertaining match looking to be heading for a goalless draw, the Bluebirds finally took the lead through substitute Zohore.

Having seen his close-range header brilliantly saved by Angus Gunn, the Danish frontman kept his cool and slid the ball home from a tight angle to send a big travelling contingent wild.

The points were then wrapped in injury time with a cracker of a goal from Hoilett, who connected perfectly as Alex Tettey’s poor header fell for him on the edge of the box.

After 1-0 defeats to Wolves and Aston Villa recently, Warnock said: “I am delighted as I was deflated after our two previous games.

“How we didn’t take at least four points from those two I will never know but you don’t always get what you deserve in this game.

“Today we got a brilliant result, I would say our best result of the season, and it’s all still in our own hands. If we keeping winning no-one can catch us.

“Norwich are a good side, and we made a bit of a slow start, but I thought we defended really well. All the back four were excellent, and Bruno [Ecuele Manga] when he came on, but I thought Sean Morrison stood out. I’d give him 12 out of 10.

“Norwich probably played the better stuff in the first half but I think we created the better chances.

“In the second half we kept going and eventually got our reward.

“That’s what I love about the Championship, being in charge of sides like these, a group of lads who are brave and honest and will go out there and die for you, week in, week out. They have done it again today and now I should think they are looking forward to a week’s break. I know I am!”

Warnock had a positive bulletin on influential defender Sol Bamba, who went off injured midway through the first half.

He added: “It’s something he has had all season and he felt it again when he made an important tackle. I just told him he wouldn’t have picked up the injury if he hadn’t tried to be [Franz] Beckenbauer with the ball at his feet just before, when he could easily have cleared.

“The good thing is Sol is okay and I am expecting him to be ready for the next one.”

The result was tough on Norwich, who had been the better side in the first half before fading away after the break, and manager Daniel Farke was feeling hard done by afterwards.

He said: “Sometimes football can be the most unfair sport in the world, you just have to accept that, but this result is really tough to take.

“After 85 minutes I don’t think Cardiff were expecting to win the match, they would have been happy with a point, I think.

“It was a brilliant performance from my team and I am really happy with the way they played.

“They were playing against a good, strong side and did really well – I can only compliment my players for that.

“They were committed, there was great togetherness and I thought we created the better chances. Certainly in the second half I think there was only one team trying to win the game.

“When they scored in the 87th minute it was very harsh on us.”