Norwich close in on the top six after sweeping aside Huddersfield

Posted Sunday, December 24, 2023 by PA

Norwich moved to within two points of the Championship play-off zone with a comfortable 2-0 win over lowly Huddersfield at Carrow Road.

The Canaries were dominant throughout and finally made their superiority count with second-half goals from Sam McCallum, his first for the club, and Borja Sainz.

The win made it five in eight games for David Wagner’s in-form side, who suddenly look like genuine promotion contenders after struggling for form earlier in the season.

But Wagner’s former club failed to register a shot on goal until the 87th minute, a tame effort from Delano Burgzorg, and with just one win in 11 will need to improve quickly if they are to avoid a long relegation battle.

Huddersfield goalkeeper Chris Maxwell produced a magnificent save to keep the scoreline level at the break after a first half which was largely controlled by the hosts. It looked a goal all the way when Ashley Barnes connected with Jack Stacey’s cross at the back post but Maxwell was somehow able to move across and claw away his powerful header.

Although Norwich dominated the opening period that was the only time they looked likely to score, with the Terriers defending well to keep them at arm’s length.

The in-form Jon Rowe had a shot well blocked after tackling Huddersfield defender Yuta Nakayama on the right and Gabriel Sara fired a free-kick into the wall from a dangerous position, but those were rare moments of alarm for the visitors.

At the other end Town failed to register an effort on goal in the first half, although Jaheim Headley would have had one had his control not let him down in a good position.

It took Norwich less than two minutes of the second period to make their superiority count, with half-time substitute McCallum the unlikely hero.

The defender, who had just replaced the injured Dimitris Giannoulis, was perfectly placed to head in Marcelino Nunez’s cross from close range after a half-cleared corner had been recycled.

Rowe and Sara both had long-range efforts comfortably gathered by Maxwell as the Canaries continued to press, before substitute Christian Fassnacht headed over with the goal at his mercy.

But a second Norwich goal looked inevitable and it finally arrived from a quick breakaway in the 73rd minute, with Sainz picking up possession on the left side of the box before picking his spot in the far corner to double City’s advantage.