Covid-19 hit Barnsley fight all the way

Barnsley head coach Valerien Ismael felt his side gave a good account of themselves against the Championship leaders.
Challenge: Norwich City's Oliver Skipp and Barnsley's Cauley Woodrow battle for the ball.Challenge: Norwich City's Oliver Skipp and Barnsley's Cauley Woodrow battle for the ball.
Challenge: Norwich City's Oliver Skipp and Barnsley's Cauley Woodrow battle for the ball.

The Canaries got back to winning ways after taking just one point from two festive games as they beat a spirited Barnsley, who had four players, including captain Alex Mowatt, missing through Covid-19 test protocols.

The match was settled by a wonderful piece of finishing just past the hour mark, with Argentine midfielder Emi Buendia converting a lofted pass from deep with a brilliant first touch.

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Reds chief Ismael said: “The first half was excellent and there were many situations when we won the ball in transition.

“We had a big opportunity with Luke Thomas to score. We have to learn to be more clinical in such a game. When you play teams like Norwich you won’t have many chances and you have to make the most of them. The second half, we left Norwich to play a lot of balls in behind and we conceded a goal like that.

“After conceding the goal, it was a question of staying in the game and we did it until the end. This is our mentality – to fight. Maybe with a lucky punch at the end, we could score and get the point. We deserved it.

“From one side we are delighted about the performance – the development from the team, the squad. From another side, for sure we are disappointed to lose this game. But it’s a good feeling to know that we can compete at this level.”

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Barnsley almost grabbed a unlikely point in the final minute of stoppage time when Michal Helik diverted a low cross just wide from close in.

Barnsley started well, almost taking the lead in the 11th minute.

When Cauley Woodrow’s shot from outside the area took a big deflection, it fell nicely for Thomas 10 yards out but his volley hit the bar and rebounded clear.

A super goal-line clearance from Callum Brittain denied the Canaries, for whom Teemu Pukki wasted an excellent opportunity in the second half before they got the goal they deserved after 62 minutes.

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Kenny McLean did well to pick out his midfield colleague’s run into the area with a long raking pass and the little Argentine Buendia converted with a sublime first touch.

Norwich City: Krul, Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Sorensen, Skipp, McLean; Emi (Tettey 87), Vrancic (Dowell 77), Cantwell (Placheta 90); Pukki (Hugill 90). Unused substitutes: Zimmermann, Quintilla, Martin, Barden, Omotoye.

Barnsley: Walton, Sollbauer, Helik, Andersen, Brittain; James (Palmer 63), Kane, Styles, Frieser (Adeboyejo 63), Woodrow; Thomas (Schmidt 75). Unused substitutes: Christie-Davies, Oduor, Kendrick, Moon.

Referee: M Salisbury (Lancashire).

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