Top of the League? You're Having a Laugh!

After some early pressure from the visitors, which saw Darren Huckerby's pace trouble the Cardiff defence, the Bluebirds took the lead on 17 minutes courtesy of a bizarre Paul Parry strike. The left-winger netted his first goal for the club after launching a cross into the Norwich penalty area which caught the wind and flew through everyone before ending up in the bottom corner of Robert Green's goal.

The advantage was doubled only minutes later  with Paul Parry once again involved. The Welsh international, who was playing non-league football only two months ago, turned provider with Robert Earnshaw putting home Parry's cross sending the 15,000 home fans into delight.

City could have tied up victory with several chances going begging in the minutes that followed. Alan Lee hit the woodwork with his head, Robert Earnshaw wasted an opportunity with Robert Green foiling the forward, and Gary Croft spooned a shot wide as the Bluebirds showed an air of confidence in their play following two consecutive First Division defeats. A rare lacklustre first-half display from Norwich, who have played some excellent football so far this season, and City took advantage to take a two-goal lead in at the break.

Instead of the children's football helping us through full-time, we had our owner Sam Hammam and Russell Goodway coming onto the pitch to sign yet another document linked with the building of our new ground. The signing seemed to take up most of half-time, and was followed with Hammam giving Goodway a thank you message that looked more like a marriage proposal.

Norwich looked a much better side in the second-half, with Nigel Worthington's bringing on Ian McKenzie and former Manchester United midfielder Phillip Mulryne to replace Paul McVeigh and Jim Brennan as the Canaries looked to get back into the game. Unsurprisingly, the visitors seemed to adopt a more attacking formation for the second-period, and their improved start to the second period gave their supporters

Worthington's substitution paid off a treat, with Norwich deservedly getting themselves back into the game just under 10 minutes into the second-half. The duo brought on by the Canaries boss at half-time combined with Mulryne sending in the cross for McKenzie who finished coolly passed Martyn Margetson to give the hosts hope. If only our very own Lennie Lawrence could make substitutions like that!

Speaking of Mr.Lawrence and his substitutions, his first was met by boos from the home fans as Paul Parry, who had been on top form all afternoon, was replaced by Richard Langley. To be fair, Parry had been suffering from an injury, and with Langley also not 100% fit Lawrence may have felt it was a change that would benefit both players, but it meant a midfield re-shuffle and the majority of fans clearly weren't happy with the Bluebirds boss. There was another confusing change to follow later in the game, with Gavin Gordon returning from injury to replace Alan Lee up front with 20 minutes to go.

Norwich continued to attack, but the Cardiff defence stood strong with Tony Vidmar and Daniel Gabidon particularly impressive at the heart of the defence. City looked far more composed and relaxed after the woeful display at home to Coventry despite the absence of skipper Graham Kavanagh, and the 11 day break the team have enjoyed seemed to do all a power of good. Gary Croft limped off injured as time ticked away and was replaced by the experienced Spencer Prior, who covered did well at centre-back with Tony Vidmar reverting to the right-hand side of defence.

Substitute Iwan Roberts, the former Cardiff City target, headed Norwich's last good chance wide in the closing minutes as the Bluebirds clung on. Clever possession-holding play in the Norwich half throughout the four minutes of injury time secured the victory. Jeff Winter's full-time whistle was greeted by celebrations on the Ninian Park terraces as the Bluebirds stopped a run of two defeats and surely stomped out any fears of relegation troubles this season. The play-offs are an unrealistic aim, but the club will still harbour ambitions of a place in the top six come the end of the season despite not closing the gap this afternoon.

Full Time - Cardiff City 2-1 Norwich City
Attendance - 16,137

Cardiff City: Margetson, Croft (Prior 74), Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Robinson, Whalley, Boland, Parry (Langley 59), Lee (Gordon 71), Earnshaw. Subs Not Used: Campbell, Alexander.

Norwich City: Green, Edworthy, Mackay, Fleming, Drury, Holt, McVeigh (McKenzie 45), Francis, Brennan (Mulryne 45), Svensson (Roberts 75), Huckerby. Subs Not Used: Crichton, Henderson.

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