Marcelino Nunez scored a brace to help Norwich City produce one of the most comfortable football scores of the weekend in the Championship. After 27 minutes, the Chile international scored with a magnificent volley from well outside the box and swiftly added a second to put the Canaries in possession. Birmingham gave them a scare when Maxime Colin equalized early in the second half, and they went on to give a decent account of themselves until a late third from substitute Christos Tzolis decided the issue. The victory enhanced Norwich’s Championship play-off hopes, but the Blues’ third straight defeat left them looking anxiously over their shoulders at the clubs behind them.
Despite the absence of their major forwards Teemu Pukki and Josh Sargent, the Canaries were quick to gain the initiative, and their former goalkeeper John Ruddy produced a fantastic point-blank save to deny Kieran Dowell after only three minutes. As the hosts continued to dominate, Kenny McLean blasted wide after a goalmouth scramble, and they rightfully took the lead in 27 minutes thanks to a fantastic goal by Nunez. Kevin Long appeared to have nothing on as a Dowell corner was headed well clear by him, but as the ball came down, he connected superbly to volley it into the top corner from 25 yards out.
Because of the angle and the distance from the goal, the home fans were stunned into silence for a single second before the celebrations began. Nunez extended Norwich’s lead nine minutes later with a far more easy attempt. Weak Birmingham defending gave him plenty of space in the area, and when McLean’s left-wing cross came in, he had no trouble heading it into the roof of the net.
Tahith Chong blasted narrowly wide from distance as the visitors sought an equaliser before Norwich came agonizingly close to regaining their two-goal lead. When McLean used an outstretched leg to take the ball past the onrushing Ruddy, it seemed like a goal all the way, but Long came out to scoop the ball off the line. Birmingham fought to the finish but was caught short at the back, with a rapid break allowing replacement Tzolis to curl home a third for the hosts.
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