Stoke fight-back too late as Norwich hang on 3-2

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After sweeping to a deserved 3-0 lead by the hour mark, league-leaders Norwich nearly threw it all away with a stupid red card that led to a spirited comeback by Stoke. Stoke were robbed by ref’s decisions? You decide. Here’s what Michael O’Neill thought about the game:

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Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:

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Top club & in-form side (4 wins & 2 draws in 6 games) Norwich won’t be brushed aside like previous top-club Reading were. But Norwich have only conceded 3 whilst Stoke have scored 13 in the last 6 games. One way traffic? But which way?

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13.01 With their 4th corner, Norwich’s Capt Hanley misses a headed sitter.

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17.04 0-1 !! Norwich stretch Stoke’s defence apart, and Buendia finishes casually into the corner. Stoke caught out, Bursik no chance.

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26.00 0-2 !!! What a strike as Pukki tears down the left on the break & half volleys past Joe from a tight angle.

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28.50 Stoke throw kitchen sink in Norwich goalmouth but despite hitting bar, the ball won’t go in. Fletcher collides with advertising hoarding & is limping around like Long John Silver. Eventually Fletch gives up & is replaced by Lee Gregory.

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34.50 Tyrese does his obligatory push in the back…how does he get away with it? Well, he doesn’t.

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42.03 Attacking Batth is manhandled to the floor by Hanley. Nasty challenge is missed by the ref.

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HT Sleepy team 0 Wide-awake team 2

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45.00 Collins replaces ineffective Tommy Smith…at right back? Ince on for Tymon?! Tom trying to remember what it’s like to play football. It’s been a long time.

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56.43 0-3 !! Stoke slit up like a kipper. Pukki through & round the keeper.

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59.00 Ince free kick? Over the bar, of course.

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60.25 Powell taking the obligatory boot in face…

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68.05 Buendia decides he’s fed up of playing and sticks a ludicrously high boot in Powell’s face. RED CARD. Perhaps a 2nd yellow or more likely a straight red. And he has the nerve to complain!

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69.01 1-3! Tyrese heads home, much to the surprise of…well, everyone.

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74.10 Batth hits the post as Norwich start to fall apart.

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78.50 2-3 !!! Collins heads in a Clucas corner from the right. Nathan might not have got a touch on it, but who cares! Now it’s got interesting.

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86.57 Mikel shot goes off a hand, but he at least gets a corner. Ball then in back of Norwich net from the corner, but ref gives free kick. Replay is not kind on ref for either decisions.

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90+4 Vokes misses his chance, and that’s it…!

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Stoke fight back but it’s not enough. Stoke 2 Norwich 3