Blackburn 0-2 Norwich: Liam Gibbs scores the first senior goal after winning over Teemu Pukki to help the Canaries claim a VITAL victory over play-off rivals and bring them to within one point of Rovers in the final to place sixth
- Liam Gibbs scored his first senior goal for Norwich as they beat Blackburn 2-0
- Gabriel Sara scored the second just after the break to secure the crucial victory
- There was fear of Grant Hanley suffering a serious looking knee injury
- The result puts the Canaries within one point of Rovers who sit in sixth place
Young Norwich’s Liam Gibbs scored his first senior goal after beating club legend Teemu Pukki, but his side’s joy was curtailed by a serious-looking injury to skipper Grant Hanley on his 400th career appearance.
Canaries boss David Wagner benched Pukki for a key clash between two play-off contenders and Gibbs needed just 11 minutes to justify the decision.
The 20-year-old ran away from the Rovers defense to hammer Jacob Sorensen’s long pass into the top corner, forcing the home players to finger-launch a search before starting again.
Gabriel Sara added a classy second early in the second half and with Rovers still occupying the final play-off spot, Norwich are now just a point behind.
However, there will be fears for Hanley, who has a history of knee problems and fell to the ground in his own penalty area without any challenge.
Norwich City’s Liam Gibbs (R) claimed his first senior goal in their 2-0 win against Blackburn
Gabriel Sara (below) scored their second just after the break to keep their play-off hopes alive
Grant Hanley was taken off the field on a stretcher after sustaining a worrying injury
The Scotland international was cheered by both sets of fans. He started his career at Ewood Park and played for the club for nine years.
City had not won in their previous four games, but their 2,000 fans who had made the 440-mile round trip could be heard before the early breakthrough.
Max Aarons almost gave them something else to cheer about when he almost added a second with a decent fetch from the edge of the box.
Andrew Obomamidele came on for Hanley after 42 minutes, but Norwich reached half-time without goalkeeper Angus Gunn needing to catch a shot on target.
Blackburn were disappointing as they were unbeaten at home in 2023 with Norwich extending their lead after 55 minutes.
Onel Hernandez led a quick breakaway after receiving the ball near the touchline and his pass to Sara was first struck by the Brazilian, a left footer who deflected away from the desperate Aynsley Pears.
In the far corner, the Brazilian flag, matching the green-and-yellow of Norwich, happily waved away.
The goal was Gibbs’ first senior goal for Norwich, with Gibbs gaining attention over Teemu Pukki
David Wagner’s side are now within easy reach of a play-off spot one point clear of Rovers
Pukki, who announced last week that he will be leaving Norwich at the end of the season, came out with applause in the 64th minute as another centre-back Ben Gibson limped off and Sorensen fell back.
The Finn hit the side net with his best chance as Rovers mounted a late rally with no reward.
Gunn was finally called into action when he clawed the ball away from Sam Gallagher who was able to finish and then held out a shoe to deny Tyrhys Dolan. He then dove left to stop Ben Brereton-Diaz.
Sam McCallum headed off the line and then Gunn got lucky as Brereton-Diaz’s shot went through his legs before the ‘keeper recovered.