Rotherham United 1-2 Norwich City - Ramsey winner sends Canaries fourth

Aaron Ramsey in action for NorwichImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Aaron Ramsey's goal against Rotherham was his third in three games

Aaron Ramsey's winner at Rotherham sent Norwich City up to fourth in the Championship table.

Kenny McLean nodded the visitors ahead after a blocked Teemu Pukki shot sat up kindly for the midfielder to finish.

Rotherham were level for a minute when Ollie Rathbone struck early in the second half, only for Ramsey to immediately restore the Canaries' advantage.

Viktor Johansson made a fine save to deny Josh Sargent from adding to Norwich's lead, while Angus Gunn kept Tom Eaves out at the other end.

An excellent block from Canaries defender Max Aarons on Ben Wiles proved decisive as the Millers slumped to a third successive defeat.

Rotherham were left feeling aggrieved at being denied a late penalty, with Chiedozie Ogbene shown a yellow card for diving when he appeared to be fouled in the box.

Rotherham started strongly against the highly-fancied Canaries, showing that they were keen to quickly bounce back from the midweek disappointment of conceding two stoppage time goals in a dramatic defeat by leaders Burnley.

While bright, the Millers failed to truly threaten before McLean headed the visitors in front on 17 minutes.

The hosts were forced into two first-half changes, with forward Conor Washington unable to continue and replaced by Georgie Kelly, who succumbed to injury himself before the interval.

Rathbone levelled in the 48th minute, finishing well after latching onto a loose ball and running at the Norwich defence, only for Ramsey to make it 2-1 seconds later as he followed-up a shot from Sargent that had been saved.

Sargent then linked up well with Gabriel Sara, but could not beat Johansson as the visitors quickly tried to add to their advantage.

Gunn kept Eaves and Brooke Norton-Cuffy out, while Aarons' block on Wiles summed-up the hard work the Millers demanded of a Norwich side that moved to within four points of the automation promotion spots with their first win in five games away from home.

Ogbene's late penalty appeal and 96th-minute half-volley that flashed just wide left Rotherham again ruing their luck against one of the competition's high-flyers.

'We are climbing mountains' - reaction

Rotherham United manager Matt Taylor:

"The performance was pretty much where it needed to be against another top team.

"It was a 98% performance, I'm afraid. We got back into the game and 30 seconds later, they're ahead again. We are climbing mountains."

On the late penalty shout: "It's a clear penalty. These are decisions which are constantly going against us.

"But we have spoken enough about referees. I can't continue to comment.

"It seemed to be a very one-sided officiating affair. He has made two huge errors. I am sounding like a broken record but I can't describe those moments any other way. The culmination of decisions which went against us was incredible. It feels like a lot is going against us."

Norwich City head coach Dean Smith:

"It was a good performance. We controlled some large parts.

"I thought we dropped off in the last 15 minutes and allowed them to come onto us a little. But I thought we defended really well.

"We knew what the game was going to be about. It's not an easy place to come. The fans are on top of you, it can be hostile and we had to deal with that."

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