Norwich City 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion: Leandro Trossard hits winner at Carrow Road

Leandro Trossard scored his first goal since netting against Aston Villa on 18 January

Norwich boss Daniel Farke says it is "unrealistic" to talk about avoiding relegation from the Premier League after Saturday's home defeat by Brighton.

The Canaries players appeared devastated at full time as the significance of the result struck home - with Todd Cantwell remaining on the pitch for 10 minutes after the final whistle

While Leandro Trossard's winner means the Seagulls are now well-placed to see in a fourth straight season in the top flight, Norwich are seven points from safety with five games remaining.

"It was more or less our last chance to get back in the mix and we are disappointed," Farke said.

"It was more like the performance we ask for. The story of our game was the story of our season, we didn't find the cutting edge and we then make a big mistake.

"After a few losses, we don't have the right to make any fighting messages or to make any unrealistic claims. We are not naive, lets show our pride."

Farke dropped Teemu Pukki and Cantwell - his two leading scorers - but the move backfired as the Premier League's bottom club mustered just one serious attempt on target.

Belgian winger Trossard settled a scrappy match with a smart finish, sweeping home Aaron Mooy's perfect delivery in what was Brighton's first genuine attack.

Nineteen-year-old substitute Adam Idah was denied an equaliser when he headed against the post in stoppage time.

Brighton's third away win of the season lifts them nine points above the relegation zone.

• Reaction from Carrow Road as Norwich slip closer to relegation

Farke's bold changes backfire

This was a must-win game if Norwich were to revive their fading hopes of staying in the Premier League. Instead they fell to a fifth straight league defeat without scoring.

They can still reach 36 points, and 17th-placed Watford have 28 points. But it is hard to see where their next goal - never mind win - is going to come from.

This was the first of three successive matches against teams in or just above the relegation zone yet Farke opted to start without Pukki and Cantwell for his side's fifth match in 15 days.

Finland forward Pukki has scored 11 of his team's 25 league goals this season, but none in his past 10 league and cup games, while midfielder Cantwell has also chipped in with some key goals, including efforts against Manchester City, Arsenal and Wolves.

Farke said the changes were to freshen up the side after an error-ridden 4-0 midweek defeat at Arsenal but there was a distinct familiarity to the way his team huffed and puffed without creating much.

Cuban forward Onel Hernandez was lively without testing keeper Mat Ryan, while Republic of Ireland Under-21 forward Idah was only denied by a post in the dying moments.

In two of their final three games before football was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, Norwich beat Leicester in the Premier League and Tottenham on penalties in the FA Cup.

Since the restart, they have failed to register a single point and are going backwards.

Are Brighton safe?

While Norwich have faltered since the restart, Brighton have thrived.

The Seagulls were just two points above the relegation zone when the season was suspended. They are now nine points clear of 18th-placed Aston Villa and 19th-placed Bournemouth, both on 27 points.

Graham Potter's side have reached 36 points - a tally that has been good enough to stay up for the past three seasons - with five games to go, meaning the pressure of hosting champions Liverpool and second-placed Manchester City in back-to-back fixtures is eased considerably.

"No I don't think it makes us safe," said Potter afterwards. "It's a huge win for us and a hard-fought three points."

Brighton carved out more and better openings than their hosts, the move for Trossard's composed finish coming straight off the training ground. Yet once again they impressed especially at the back.

With Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster dominant at the centre of defence, they came away with an eighth clean sheet of the season and are now unbeaten in five straight league away games.

And despite 11 places separating the two sides in the table, Brighton have conceded only as many goals - 44 - as fourth-placed Chelsea.

Man of the match - Aaron Mooy (Brighton)

There were several eye-catching performances for Brighton but Aaron Mooy marked his return to the side with an energetic display that included a perfect delivery for Leandro Trossard to score

First double over Norwich since 1951-52 - the stats

• Brighton have completed their first league double over Norwich since 1951-52 (they won 2-0 at the Amex in November).

• Norwich have failed to score in three consecutive home Premier League games for the first time ever.

• Brighton enjoyed their first win in their past nine away Premier League games (D5 L3).

• Norwich have lost each of their past six games in all competitions, the worst run suffered by Daniel Farke in his managerial career.

• Brighton have registered three consecutive away clean sheets in all competitions for the first time since December 2016.

• Norwich have failed to score in 16 Premier League games this season, more than any other side.

What's next?

The games are coming thick and fast - Norwich are away at fellow strugglers Watford on Tuesday (18:00 BST), while Brighton host champions Liverpool on Wednesday (20:15 BST).

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