Swansea City 0-1 Norwich City: Match report, player ratings and stats

It didn't take Dean Smith's side long to break the deadlock, Kenny McLean flicking Gabriel Sara's corner on for Pukki to tap home before the end of the first minute.

The Swans should have responded quickly when the ball fell to Jay Fulton six yards out, but Angus Gunn miraculously kept it out.

Sara had the best chance of the remainder of the half, but his effort from 15 yards was blocked well by Ben Cabango.

Former Canary Kyle Naughton had the first chance of a stale second period, Gunn making another good stop after the experienced full-back headed into the ground.

Russell Martin's charges worked hard to find an opening in the final stages, but Norwich stood firm to earn a win that takes them fourth in the second division table.

The gap to the automatic promotion places remains at six points after Sheffield United's 1-0 defeat of Huddersfield, while Burnley can extend their lead at the top in their meeting with QPR tomorrow.

SWANSEA CITY (3-4-3):

Swansea City's starting line-up for their Championship match against Norwich City. (Image: Newsquest)

Substitutes:

1. Fisher (GK)

6. Darling

7. Allen (on for Latibeaudiere, 71)

10. Ntcham (on for Trundle, 60)

20. Cullen

21. Oko-Flex (on for Naughton, 80)

31. Cooper (on for Paterson, 60)

Head Coach: Russell Martin

Bookings: Naughton (49)

Goals:

NORWICH CITY (4-1-2-1-2):

Norwich City's starting line-up for their Championship match against Swansea City. (Image: Newsquest)

Substitutes:

1. Krul (GK)

4. Omobamidele

10. Dowell (on for Sinani, 67)

11. Idah (on for Pukki, 80)

25. Hernandez

30. Giannoulis (on for McCallum, 74)

46. Gibbs (on for Sara, 74)

Head Coach: Dean Smith

Bookings: Gibson (9), Hayden (36), Idah (84), Giannoulis (86)

Goals: Pukki (1)

KEY MOMENTS

1 - Sinani has the chance to slip the ball through to Pukki, but the Finn can't get a shot away.

1 - GOAL NORWICH (Pukki): McLean glances Sara's corner on and Pukki taps home to open the scoring.

10 - A Swansea free-kick ricochets around the Norwich box and falls to Fulton, but he can't force the ball in.

20 - A looping cross finds Manning at the back post, but he miscues his volley.

28 - Paterson tees up Naughton for an ambitious half volley that flies well over.

31 - Cundle's deep cross finds Paterson at the back post, but he can't beat Gunn from a tight angle.

32 - Sargent's cut-back finds Sara in the Swansea box, but a good block from Cabango denies him.

35 - Piroe finds space on the edge of the Norwich box, but slips as he scuffs his shot wide.

39 - Sargent steals the ball high up the pitch and drives towards goal, but scuffs his left-footed effort well wide.

42 - Sargent can't quite reach the ball after City counter and Sara flashes it across the face of goal.

44 - Sinani finds Aarons in space in the box, but his cut-back is poor and cleared.

Half time - Swansea City 0-1 Norwich City

Gabriel Sara shoots during Norwich City's Championship game against Swansea City. (Image: Focus Images Ltd)

53 - Swansea counter and the ball falls for Manning, whose shot is blocked by Gibson.

65 - Grimes' cross finds Naughton at the back post and he should score, but he heads into the ground and Gunn tips over.

68 - Naughton's cross is deflected and spins across the Norwich box with no takers.

85 - Manning's cross finds Piroe, but the Swans striker can't get any power on his header.

86 - Oko-Flex goes down in the box under the challenge of Giannoulis, but the referee rules that the Greek's tackle was made outside it.

87 - Manning's resulting free-kick is tipped over by Gunn.

Full time - Swansea City 0-1 Norwich City

PLAYER RATINGS

Gunn 8, Aarons 6, Hanley 7, Gibson 8, McCallum 6, Hayden 7, McLean 6, Sara 5, Sinani 5, Sargent 6, Pukki 7. Subs: Dowell 5, Giannoulis 4, Gibbs 6, Idah 5.

MATCH STATISTICS

Possession: 64pc-36pc

Shots: 16-5

On target: 7-2

Corners: 7-4

Fouls: 8-13

Added-on time: 4 mins/4 mins

REFEREE: Stephen Martin

ATTENDANCE: 615 Norwich