Nottingham Forest 1-0 Norwich City
- Published
Nottingham Forest's Daryl Murphy went close to opening the scoring but his first-half header went just over
Daryl Murphy's second-half goal earned Nottingham Forest a professional win over Norwich and took them to within two points of the play-off places.
Forest, who have now not drawn any of their past 25 league games, earned a ninth league win this term when Murphy turned in Mustapha Carayol's cross.
Norwich's best chance saw Marley Watkins shoot wide in the first half.
But they created very little after the break as the Reds secured a fourth consecutive home victory.
Forest, who move into seventh, just about edged an open first half.
The impressive Kieran Dowell had a low strike well saved by keeper Angus Gunn and Murphy sent a header over the bar.
Norwich struggled to create chances after the interval as the game became tighter, although Forest defender Joe Worrall made two superb defensive tackles to stop dangerous situations in the latter stages.
The Reds have now won nine and lost nine matches in the league season, with their last league draw coming against Preston North End in April last season.
Nottingham Forest boss Mark Warburton:
"It was a very important three points. Norwich are a very good team, with a lot of talented individuals and have a real physicality about them.
"We had to be patient and we always felt it was going to be nip and tuck. The league is so demanding and relentless and you have to be prepared for games of this nature.
"I am delighted for the players, with the win and clean sheet."
Norwich City manager Daniel Farke:
"I am disappointed to lose because I thought it was our best away performance of the season.
"We controlled the whole game, we calmed the whole stadium down and had everything under control, but the only thing that was missing was a goal.
"Their goal was disappointing as we reacted too late and it was a soft goal in the end - the ball hit the chin of Murphy and it went in. Defeat is hard to accept as my lads invested so much."