Norwich City 2-0 Cardiff City: Marquinhos debut goal helps Canaries to victory

Norwich City have now won four of their last five home league games against Cardiff City

Marquinhos scored on his debut as Norwich continued to push for a play-off spot with a routine 2-0 win over a lacklustre Cardiff City at Carrow Road.

Gabriel Sara fired Norwich ahead on 33 minutes with a precise finish from the edge of the penalty area.

Four minutes later the Canaries took control as Marquinhos swept home at the far post from Onel Hernandez's cross.

Norwich might have scored more goals in the second half, while Jaden Philogene hit the post for Cardiff late on.

Norwich are a place and a point off the Championship play-offs in seventh after the win, while Cardiff remain 21st, consoled at least that they preserve their four point cushion above the drop-zone.

Canaries boss David Wagner's decision to hand a debut to Brazilian winger Marquinhos following his January loan move from Premier League leaders Arsenal was partially enforced.

Marquinhos replaced midfielder Kieran Dowell who will be out of action until at least mid-April because of a knee injury.

The Bluebirds arrived in good form after securing back-to-back wins and Cardiff boss Sabri Lamouchi gave Connor Wickham a first start for the club with top scorer Callum Robinson out until April with a hamstring issue.

Cardiff's improvement under Lamouchi was evident as they started the game brightly, with Mahlon Romeo forcing Angus Gunn to save as the Bluebirds counter-attacked with purpose.

However, the Championship's lowest scorers were unable to take advantage of a sleepy start from the hosts and they were fully punished as Norwich scored twice in four minutes to take complete control.

Sara scored the first goal on 33 minutes as he drove a low shot into the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area.

Cardiff were under pressure after conceding and they failed to deal with a cross from Hernandez that travelled across the penalty area before being smashed home by Marquinhos.

Adam Idah missed a great opportunity to add a third on 49 minutes when Cedric Kipre's poor play allowed him to run clear, but he blazed over under pressure from Mark McGuinness as the angle worked against him.

The hosts again came close on 55 minutes, but Hernandez's volley grazed the post after Sara's pass found him in space.

Cardiff were struggling to create opportunities but when Norwich gifted them a chance with some careless defending on 65 minutes, Ryan Wintle fired wide with a clear sight of goal.

A pair of Norwich substitutes missed golden chances on 75 minutes as the returning Teemu Pukki saw his shot brilliantly saved by Cardiff goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, with Dimitris Giannoulis firing wide from the rebound.

Perry Ng forced Gunn to tip over a free-kick as Cardiff continued to push, but Pukki again might have added a third on 88 minutes, but his attempted lob went over the crossbar.

Cardiff did nearly find a consolation goal in stoppage time, but Philogene's effort struck the post.

Norwich head coach David Wagner said:

"I was proud of the commitment and togetherness we showed in the opening 20-25 minutes because it was not easy for us.

"Cardiff had not played in midweek like us and I think that showed early on. Cardiff started very well and caused us a lot of problems but the players held their heads high and defended really well.

"Then we scored two good goals and from then on I thought we controlled the game and deserved to win in the end.

"It was a third straight win here and if we want to achieve anything this season we need to turn Carrow Road into a fortress so I am very pleased with the result."

Cardiff boss Sabri Lamouchi said:

"We really disturbed Norwich in the first half an hour and I think we deserved to score first, but unfortunately we didn't take our chances.

"When you do that against a strong side like Norwich, who were in the Premier League last season, you are always likely to get punished.

"They could have scored more goals in the second half - but I thought we very unlucky to be behind at half-time.

"You can see why we are the lowest scorers in the league because we need to take more of our chances."