Cherries spoil Canaries' promotion party with victory at Norwich

The Canaries got off to a perfect start at Carrow Road thanks to Emi Buendia’s fifth-minute opener.

But Norwich were reduced to 10 men on 17 minutes after full-back Dimitris Giannoulis was dismissed for a challenge deemed reckless on Ben Pearson.

And goals from Sam Surridge, Arnaut Danjuma and Lloyd Kelly after the break ensured the Dorset club moved seven points clear of seventh-placed Reading to extend their winning run.

Cherries, looking for their sixth league success in a row, named an unchanged line-up for the clash with the league leaders.

There was still no Shane Long in Jonathan Woodgate’s squad – the striker having been struggling with a groin injury earlier in the week.

The promotion party had, of course, already started for the high-flying Canaries. Their return to the top flight was confirmed after draws for Brentford and Swansea earlier in the day.

And it was one of their key men in Buendia who got them off to a slick start after just five minutes.

Kenny McClean put frontman Teemu Pukki in on goal and, despite a sliding challenge from Kelly, he waited for the run of Buendia, who made no mistake in lifting the ball over Asmir Begovic.

Cherries barely had a kick in the opening 15 minutes before eventually working their way into the Canaries’ box. After David Brooks’s cross was half-cleared, Philip Billing’s fierce effort was blocked to safety.

But Norwich were reduced to 10 men after a flashpoint on 17 minutes.

Full-back Dimitris Giannoulis was given his marching orders by referee Graham Scott after a challenge which was judged reckless on the shin of Ben Pearson.

That forced the hosts into an early change but, with the man advantage, Cherries should have been level.

Danjuma found room down the left to beat fellow Dutchman Tim Krul on the angle – but after Dominic Solanke tapped in from close range, he was judged offside and was left with his head in his hands.

Cherries continued to press in the latter stages of the opening period. Danjuma again found space and saw his dangerous delivery blocked out for a corner.

Woodgate opted to make a change at the interval and it was an attacking one, with Surridge replacing Jefferson Lerma, who had been cautioned.

And with just five minutes into the second half, the switch paid dividends. Kelly’s deflected cross eventually fell to academy graduate Surridge to stab home from close range.

He had initially been flagged offside but after man-in-the-middle Scott consulted his assistant, the goal was given.

And just seven minutes later Cherries were ahead thanks to a moment of magic from Dutchman Danjuma.

The in-form winger cut in from the left before firing a sublime effort from the edge of the box into the top corner, leaving a diving Krul with no chance.

And the game was wrapped up 14 minutes from time when Danjuma was set free on the counter. He pulled back for full-back Kelly to drill into the bottom corner and add a third.

Fireworks went off around Carrow Road in the latter stages as those around the area still celebrated promotion.

But it was Woodgate’s men who ensured they kept up their sparkling league form.

Cherries: Begovic, Smith, Carter-Vickers, Cook, Kelly, Lerma (Surridge, h-t), Pearson, Brooks (Stanislas, 72), Billing, Danjuma (Stacey 90+1), Solanke.

Unused subs: Rico, Mepham, Wilshere, Riquelme, Anthony, Travers (g/k).

Booked: Lerma, Brooks.

Norwich: Krul, Aarons, Hanley, Omobamidele, Giannoulis, McLean, Skipp, Buendia (Hernandez, 77), Dowell (Sorensen, 22), Cantwell (Hugill, 77), Pukki.

Unused subs: Mumba, Tettey, Vrancic, Placheta, Stiepermann, Nyland (g/k).

Booked: Krul, McLean.

Sent off: Giannoulis.

Referee: Graham Scott.