Norwich City defeat Newcastle United with ease at Carrow Road

Newcastle United were taught a lesson at Carrow Road as Teemu Pukki scored three times to deliver three points for Norwich City.

The trend of negative results against newly-promoted sides on the road continues as Norwich City defeated Newcastle United 3-1 at Carrow Road. Norwich City were comfortable and confident on the ball all afternoon and it was reflected in the final result. Newcastle United had no answer for for Teemu Pukki who scored a hat-trick with ease.

First Half

The atmosphere was booming at Carrow Road in the opening minutes of this match and it certainly motivated the home side as Norwich City dominated in the early stages. The Canaries came within inches of scoring in the fourth minute, but Martin Dubravka saved the close range effort with his foot at the near post.

Teemu Pukki, who scored against Liverpool last weekend, had a great look at goal from inside the box, but his dangerous shot was dragged just wide of the goal. The Magpies finally woke up in the eighth minute when Emil Krafth fired a powerful shot just over the bar. The action continued to pick up as Norwich City once again attacked through Pukki in the 14th minute, but Dubravka stepped up to make yet another save.

Matt Ritchie created something out of nothing after a quick throw in, but his effort from distance in the 16th minute was saved with ease by former Magpie Tim Krul. The game settled down a bit over the next eight minutes until Pukki tested Dubravka in the 24th minute with a grounded shot, but the Slovakian keeper got the job done at the near post.

Two minutes later it was Joelinton who just missed out on scoring the opening goal. A wonderful cross from Isaac Hayden found Joelinton a few feet away from goal, but the Brazilian’s header curled around the wrong side of the post.

Norwich City punished Newcastle United after Joelinton’s miss as they took the lead in impressive style in the 32nd minute when Pukki’s perfectly timed volley stung Dubravka’s hands and flew into the top corner. It would not be a surprise to see that goal earn a nomination for the Goal of the Season award.

Newcastle United came close to scoring the equalizer when a diagonal cross from Jonjo Shelvey found Fabian Schar at the far post, but Schar’s header was saved by Krul. Overall, Norwich City were the better team. They were more lively, created more chances – seven to five – and they really controlled the flow of the game with over 200 more passes than the Toon.

Second Half

Newcastle United looked better to start the second half as Matt Ritchie and Isaac Hayden created two chances inside the box in the opening two minutes, and the Magpies also earned a corner kick and a free-kick from a dangerous area before the 50-minute mark.

Joelinton went down to the ground holding his hip in the 53rd minute and he was down for quite some time, however, the Brazilian was able to jog it off. The Magpies really dominated the first 15 minutes of the second half as they kept creating chances and almost found the equalizer off a corner kick in the 59th minute, but Krul maintained the Canaries’ 1-0 lead.

Norwich City then started pressing forward and extended their lead in the 63rd minute. Norwich City’s midfielders looked for Pukki at the edge of the box and the Finnish international cut inside and drilled a quick shot past Dubravka.

Things got worse for Newcastle United in the 75th minute when Pukki completed his hat-trick. Impressive dribbling inside the box enabled Pukki to shrug off Emil Krafth and finish an easy goal by passing it into the net.

Newcastle United pulled one back in stoppage time as Jonjo Shelvey dribbled his way into the box and placed the ball in the side netting past Krul, however, the goal was meaningless so late in the game.

Norwich City dominated the majority of this match against a slow Newcastle United side. The Canaries picked up right where they left off at Anfield, but this time made the most of their chances in front of goal. The Magpies have their work cut out for them in training this week and the pressure continues to pile up on Steve Bruce’s shoulders.

What’s Next?

Next weekend the Magpies will travel to London for an even more difficult test against Tottenham. Newcastle United have many things to correct before taking on a team that will look to keep up with Manchester City and Liverpool this season.