Norwich City finally ended their away hoodoo with a comfortable 3-0 win over struggling Stoke City in Staffordshire.
Goals from Josh Sargent, Gabriel Sara and Ashley Barnes ensured a win that sees the Canaries move three points clear of Hull in seventh, advancing their Championship play-off push with just eight games left of the season.
The visitors had the best of the early exchanges, creating chances for Borja Sainz and Barnes despite a fervent home crowd. Their failure to convert preceded a significant drop off in the overall quality of the game, allowing the attritional Potters into it.
Ki-Jana Hoever took advantage of that, jinking inside and out before being denied by the near post.
Norwich were soon back in control, however, and in the 24th minute they had something to show for their efforts. Kenny McLean slid the ball through for Sainz in acres of space, with Sargent in support and only Daniel Iversen to beat. The Spaniard chose the unselfish option, allowing Sargent to bundle into an open net.
Four minutes later the lead had doubled. Again it came from a McLean ball through to Sainz, who this time was tackled by Hoever. But that was no trouble for Sara, who coolly strolled onto the ball and struck his 10th goal of the season.
David Wagner's side went into half time comfortable, but a galvanised home team looked more dangerous after the break. Lewis Baker's cross found Tyrese Campbell in the box nine minutes after the break, but he could only lift over the bar.
After 60 minutes the game was over as a contest. Barnes was third on the scoresheet, adapting well to force past Iversen when McLean's volley ricocheted his way.
Norwich saw the game out with little threat from the hosts, creating further chances for Sara and Sargent but coming away with a 3-0 victory they'll be very happy with.
They now face a frustrating 13 gameless days amid the international break, with Plymouth Argyle visiting Carrow Road on Good Friday before table toppers Leicester welcome them to the King Power.
STOKE CITY:
Substitutes:
13. Bonham (GK)
7. Vidigal
14. Ennis (on for Campbell, 58)
15. Thompson (on for Pearson, 20)
19. Mmaee (on for Baker, 58)
20. Haksabanovic
25. Cundle (on for Gooch, 74)
27. Leris
42. Manhoef (on for Wilmot, 45)
Head Coach: Steven Schumacher
Bookings: Campbell (55)
Goals:
NORWICH CITY:
Substitutes:
12. Long (GK)
8. Gibbs (on for Sargent, 82)
14. van Hooijdonk (on for Barnes, 88)
16. Fassnacht (on for Sainz, 69)
21. Batth (on for Sorensen, 69)
35. Fisher (on for Stacey, 88)
43. Welch
44. Aboh
48. Renecke
Head Coach: David Wagner
Bookings:
Goals: Sargent (24), Sara (28), Barnes (60)
KEY MOMENTS
1 - A corner breaks to Sainz via Nunez' scuffed shot, and the Spaniard's firm half-volley is beaten away by Iversen.
4 - Sara's cross finds Barnes in the box, but he flicks his header just over the bar.
12 - Hoever finds some joy on the counter, beating McCallum before being denied by the near post.
15 - McLean seizes on a loose ball and drives forward before setting Sargent up, but the American badly drags his shot.
23 - The ball sits up for Stacey to volley on the corner of the box, but he can only find the body of McNally.
24 - GOAL NORWICH (Sargent): McLean finds Sainz in acres of space with Sargent in support and only Iversen to beat. The Spaniard unselfishly sets up his team-mate to bundle into an empty goal.
27 - Nunez slides the ball through for Sargent to clip back from the byline. Sainz gets there first, but Iversen parries his effort clear.
28 - GOAL NORWICH (Sara): McLean slides the ball through for Sainz again and he cuts inside from the left before being tackled by Hoever. The ball breaks perfectly for Sara, however, and he coolly slides in for 2-0.
33 - A Stoke corner results in a free header for Laurent, but somehow he manages to head over from six yards.
Half time: Stoke City 0-2 Norwich City
54 - Baker hangs a cross up for Campbell, who lifts his header just over the bar.
60 - GOAL NORWICH (Barnes): Stoke fail to clear Sara's corner and it breaks for McLean to volley. His shot is blocked by Thompson but drops to Barnes, who adapts quickly to tap in.
67 - Sargent, Nunez and Sara all pass up the chance to shoot before Stacey eventually decides to, but his shot is high and wide.
72 - Sara unleashes a fierce drive from a tight angle, but Iversen beats it away.
73 - McLean finds McCallum with a searching pass and he squares for Sargent, who should score but pokes straight down the middle with his left foot.
90 - Mmaee goes through on goal and should score, but is denied well by Gunn.
90+3 - Hoever's cross crashes off the outside of the far post.
Full time: Stoke City 0-3 Norwich City
PLAYER RATINGS
Gunn 8, Stacey 7, Sorensen 7, Gibson 8, McCallum 6, McLean 8, Nunez 7, Sara 8, Barnes 7, Sainz 8, Sargent 7. Subs: Batth 6, Fassnacht 5, Gibbs 5, van Hooijdonk 5, Fisher 5.
MATCH STATISTICS
Possession: 44%-56%
Shots: 11-16
On target: 1-7
Corners: 5-6
Fouls: 10-7
Added time: 3 mins/6 mins
REFEREE: Gavin Ward
ATTENDANCE: 21,887 (1,713 Norwich)
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