Leaders Norwich survive Stoke fightback

Pukki has scored in his last four games, including two matches for Finland

Teemu Pukki's double helped Championship leaders Norwich City stretch their unbeaten run to nine games as they survived a Stoke City fightback.

The Canaries were made to work for their win in the final 20 minutes after Emi Buendia - who scored the opener and then provided a superb assist for Pukki's first - was sent off for two bookings.

Pukki's second had put Norwich 3-0 up by then and it was a much needed cushion as Tyrese Campbell and Nathan Collins both headed in late goals for Stoke, who could not find an equaliser.

The result means Norwich, looking to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, will remain one point ahead of Bournemouth at the top of the table - if the Cherries can beat Nottingham Forest later on Tuesday - while Stoke stay seventh.

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Argentine Buendia had set Daniel Farke's side on their way, finishing a slick Canaries move by slotting in Marco Stipermann's through ball.

Finn Pukki, who scored twice during the international break and came off the bench to net the winner against Middlesbrough on Saturday, lashed in from a tight angle after bringing down Buendia's clipped, first-touch pass over the top.

And he had his eighth league goal of the season after the break, rounding home goalkeeper Joe Burski after a pass from impressive teenager Josh Martin.

But Buendia, whose creativity on the ball can be tempered by his indiscipline off it, made a straightforward night harder for the Canaries, picking up a second yellow card for a high boot - this was his third red card in as many seasons.

Stoke, who had won three of their last four and would have gone level on points with the visitors with a win, sparked into life after the sending-off and showed the thrust that saw them pick up back-to-back victories over Reading and Huddersfield.

Morgan Fox crossed for Campbell to thump in a superb header and Collins nodded in Sam Clucas' cross to set up a frantic last 10 minutes.

And Norwich, who saw keeper Tim Krul go off with what looked like a hamstring injury to take their absentee list to 10 first-team players, survived a late scare when Krul's replacement Michael McGovern knocked a looping ball into his own net, only for a foul to be given against the home side.

Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text

Line-upsStoke

32Bursik36Souttar6BatthBooked at 18minsSubstituted forVokesat 79'minutes3Fox14SmithSubstituted forCollinsat 45'minutes13Obi22Clucas35TymonSubstituted forInceat 45'minutes25Powell21FletcherBooked at 28minsSubstituted forGregoryat 35'minutes26Campbell

Substitutes

7Ince9Vokes12Chester18Brown19Gregory20Oakley-Boothe24Cousins37Collins40Nna Noukeu

Norwich

1KrulSubstituted forMcGovernat 40'minutes2Aarons5HanleyBooked at 58mins34Gibson19Lungi Sørensen27Tettey20Skipp17BuendíaBooked at 69mins18StiepermannBooked at 23minsSubstituted forVrancicat 60'minutes24MartinSubstituted forPlachetaat 60'minutes22PukkiSubstituted forZimmermannat 73'minutes

Substitutes

6Zimmermann7Rupp8Vrancic11Placheta33McGovern42McAlear50Barden57Dickson-Peters

Referee:Geoff EltringhamMatch StatsHome TeamStokeAway TeamNorwichPossessionHome48%Away52%ShotsHome24Away5Shots on TargetHome5Away3CornersHome9Away5FoulsHome19Away12Live TextPost update

Match ends, Stoke City 2, Norwich City 3.

90'+6'Full Time

Second Half ends, Stoke City 2, Norwich City 3.

90'+5'Post update

Attempt missed. Sam Vokes (Stoke City) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Nick Powell.

90'+4'Post update

Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Ben Gibson.

90'+3'Post update

Jacob Lungi Sørensen (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90'+3'Post update

Foul by Harry Souttar (Stoke City).

90'+2'Post update

Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Oliver Skipp.

90'+2'Post update

Attempt blocked. Nick Powell (Stoke City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

90'Post update

Oliver Skipp (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90'Post update

Foul by Nick Powell (Stoke City).

90'Post update

Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Christoph Zimmermann.

87'Post update

Michael McGovern (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

87'Post update

Foul by Lee Gregory (Stoke City).

87'Post update

Attempt missed. Nick Powell (Stoke City) header from very close range misses to the right. Assisted by Sam Clucas with a cross following a corner.

87'Post update

Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Ben Gibson.

87'Post update

Attempt blocked. John Obi Mikel (Stoke City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.

84'Post update

Attempt saved. Sam Vokes (Stoke City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Nathan Collins with a cross.

83'Post update

Attempt missed. Sam Vokes (Stoke City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Tom Ince with a cross.

82'Post update

Attempt blocked. Tyrese Campbell (Stoke City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nathan Collins.

81'Post update

Christoph Zimmermann (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

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Source: bbc.com