Barnsley 2 Norwich City 1: Resilient Reds hold on for fine win

The Reds had to dig deep in the second period before securing a first win against the Canaries since August, 2000.

The Reds were fully-deserved two-nil leaders at half-time thanks to a terrific effort in the opening 45 minutes.

Paul Heckingbottom’s men went in front after 13 minutes. A sweeping move down the right flank culminated with James Bree crossing for Tom Bradshaw, who volleyed home low past John Ruddy to register his third goal of the season.

The Canaries went close when Robbie Brady’s free-kick was saved by Adam Davies, but the Reds deservedly doubled their lead five minutes before the interval.

A Bree cross wasn’t sufficiently cleared by a hesitant Norwich defence , allowing Conor Hourihane to pounce on a loose ball as he curled home a shot, via a slight deflection, from 20 yards.

It only took the Canaries seven minutes of the second half to halve the deficit.

It was Nelson Oliveira who made it 2-1, lashing home left-footed from 25 yards.

Minutes later at the other end, Bradshaw thought he’d made it 3-1, only to be denied by a linesman’s flag.

Back came Norwich, with Davies being forced to dive full length to keep out a curling free-kick for Portuguese front-man Oliveira.

The visitors couldn’t force an equaliser, though.

Barnsley (4-4-2): Davies; Bree, MacDonald, Roberts, Yiadom; Scowen, Morsy, Hourihane, Kent; (Janko, 90) Winnall (Hammill, 72), Bradshaw (Payne, 72).Subs not used: Townsend, Kpekawa, Evans, Williams.

Norwich (4-2-3-1): Ruddy; Brady (Lafferty, 85), Bassong, Pinto, Bennett; Josh Murphy (Olsson, 46), Pritchard (Mulumbu, 46); Howson, Jacob Murphy, Dorrans; Oliveira. Subs not used: Jones, Marton, Hoolahan, Klose.

Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).