Reading 1-2 Norwich City: Teemu Pukki penalty sends Canaries top
- Published
Teemu Pukki's goal was his 10th of the season for Norwich
Norwich returned to the top of the Championship table with a deserved win at Reading.
Emi Buendia gave the visitors an early lead after latching on to Andy Rinomhota's loose pass across his own goal 20 yards out, but Michael Olise quickly levelled when he inadvertently deflected in team-mate Ovie Ejaria's effort from 15 yards.
Teemu Pukki put the Canaries back in front after the break from the penalty spot after Max Aarons was felled in the area by Liam Moore.
Substitute Kieran Dowell's deflected effort came back off the post as the away side came close to a third, before Olise forced an excellent diving save from Norwich goalkeeper Michael McGovern in time added on.
Daniel Farke's side are three points clear of second-placed Bournemouth and six ahead of third-placed Watford.
This was a fourth successive 2-1 victory for the Canaries and, though it was one they were worthy of, they were ultimately indebted to McGovern's fine fingertip save from Olise's long-range free-kick to preserve the points.
The Royals have now lost both of their past two home games but gave a good account of themselves against the league's form side.
Norwich host Cardiff on Saturday, while Reading visit fellow play-off hopefuls Brentford.
Reading manager Veljko Paunovic:
"It's a tough one to take. Especially when you have given your best.
"Our fans helped us tons with their support during the whole match and their applause at the end.
"They know that the team gave everything and you can't really ask for anything more.
"Norwich were consistent in the way they played and they were waiting for our mistakes.
"Unfortunately, those mistakes came. And Norwich were capable of converting them."
Norwich City boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Norfolk:
"It was a game between two top sides. We had to be fully switched on in every moment.
"I thought it was a well-deserved win. We controlled almost every minute. Apart from the goal we didn't give anything away.
"Our position is good but it doesn't matter where we are in the table right now it's about the points.
"My gut feeling was to take the risk and bring Kieran Dowell in for a bit longer than I had intended to."
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