Norwich City ended a six-game winless run in the Premier League by beating Swansea City 1-0 at Carrow Road.
Cameron Jerome headed wide for the Canaries in the first half, as both teams struggled to create chances.
After the break, Gylfi Sigurdsson almost broke the deadlock for the Swans when his effort struck the top of the bar.
However, Norwich soon took the lead when Dieumerci Mbokani's header at the back post was nodded in by Jonny Howson, and it proved to be the winning goal as the hosts held on to claim a vital three points.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Hello everyone! As ever, it's a packed weekend of action in the Premier League, as each team plays their last match before the upcoming international break. Here, our focus will be on the events at Carrow Road, as Norwich City go head-to-head with Swansea City.
The Canaries made a decent start to life in the top flight and won of their opening five games, but last months things started to turn sour. A home defeat to Leicester at the start of October began a four-game losing run, with the latest of those games coming against Manchester City last weekend.
Swansea are also badly out of form and have won just one league game since the beginning of September. It seemed as if they had turned a corner with a late win against Villa two weeks ago, but they could only follow that up with a defeat at home to Arsenal last Saturday.
Right, the team news is in, so let's take a look at which players will be starting this afternoon's match at Carrow Road.
NORWICH XI: Ruddy, Wisdom, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson, Howson, Tettey, O'Neil, Brady, Hoolahan, Jerome
SWANSEA XI: Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor, Ki, Shelvey, Ayew, Sigurdsson, Montero, Gomis
NORWICH SUBS: Whittaker, Mbokani, Dorrans, Lafferty, Mulumbu, Odjidja
SWANSEA SUBS: Britton, Nordfeldt, Routledge, Eder, Rangel, Cork, Bartley
There we have our teams for today's match. Norwich have made three changes from last weekend's defeat in Manchester, as Wes Hoolahan, Andre Wisdom and Gary O'Neil all come into the starting lineup. However, captain Russell Martin is ruled out through suspension and Matt Jarvis is on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Swansea manager Garry Monk has named the same team that were beaten by the Gunners last time out. It means that Bafetimbi Gomis is given the nod up front once again, with Gylfi Sigurdsson, Andre Ayew and Jefferson Montero providing the support in the attack.
Norwich will have been expecting a tough season on their return to the Premier League and that is certainly the way that things are heading for Alex Neil's side. They have failed to win any of their last six games in the top flight, with the previous four all ending in defeats.
© Getty Images
They had looked like stopping the rot last weekend as they took on Manchester City at the Etihad. A goal from Nicolas Otamendi had given the Citizens the lead, but a late equaliser from Cameron Jerome, after a big mistake from Joe Hart, raised their hopes of taking a point.
However, when Russell Martin handled a shot on the line with a minute left to play Manuel Pellegrini's side were awarded a penalty. Yaya Toure then stepped up and slotted in to secure the points for his side, and ensure another miserable afternoon for Norwich.
While the Canaries were only narrowly beaten last weekend, they have leaked goals in a couple of their defeats. They could be considered unfortunate to have lost 3-0 to Southampton in August, after Steven Whittaker was sent off in the first half, but they were horribly exposed against Newcastle a few weeks ago, as four goals from Georginio Wijnaldum helped the Magpies to a 6-2 win.
Taking on Norwich this afternoon are a Swansea side who have underperformed in recent weeks. They have won just one of their last eight games, and a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend saw them slip to a fourth loss of the season.
© Getty Images
They didn't play too badly against the Gunners, but Arsene Wenger's side turned up the style in the second half to take all the points. That result came a week after they ended a five-game winless run at Aston Villa, with Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andrew Ayew scoring to complete a late fightback.
One of their biggest problems in recent weeks has been finding the back of the net, and they have failed to score in five of their last eight fixtures in all competitions. They did suffer a similar spell last season, though, when top scorer Wilfried Bony was sold to Manchester City.
The sale of the Bony opened the door for Bafetimbi Gomis, and with goals in each of the opening four league games, it seemed as if the French striker had hit top form. However, he has now gone the last seven league games without finding the back of the net, and it is an area that Garry Monk may be looking to improve when the transfer window opens.
These teams have met on six previous occasions in the Premier League, but Swansea have only come out on top once. That did happen to be the last time they faced off, with two goals from Jonathan De Guzman and a strike from Wayne Routledge helping the Swans to a 3-0 victory.
© Getty Images
Their last two meetings at Carrow Road have both ended in draws, and you have to go back to 2011 for the last time Norwich won at home. Anthony Pilkington was the hero that day, as he scored twice, including a goal in the opening minute, to give Norwich a 3-1 win.
We've still got a few minutes left to go until kick off, so make sure you check out our video preview of today's match if you haven't already.
The teams have just made their way out onto the pitch to a good reception from the supporters. There are now just three minutes until the match starts, and as always we will have every Premier League fixture covered for you live throughout the afternoon.
KICKOFF! We are underway at the Carrow Road!
SHOT! Despite his recent lack of goals, Gomis is still confident in his shooting ability, and he lets fly from range after allowing the ball to run across him. His final effort goes well wide of the post, but that could be a tactic for the Swans this afternoon.
Norwich have bossed possession in the opening five minutes and they are firmly on the front foot. They are also getting into some areas, with Ayew bursting down the right and seeing his cross cut out before it could find Gomis.
Monk will be pleased at what he has seen from his players this afternoon and they show their threat out wide again, with Montero charging past his marker down the left. He eventually wins a corner after seeing his low cross deflect wide, but the visitors are unable to make any thing of the set piece.
CHANCE! Swansea may have made the better start to the game, but Norwich waste the first big chance of the afternoon. Jerome should do better when he breaks away from his marker to meet Brady's free kick, but from just a few yards out he is only able to head over the bar.
SHOT! Norwich are coming into the game now and they work another opening when Howson picks up a loose clearance 25 yards out from goal. The midfielder is not closed down so he decides to fire in a powerful effort that ends up heading straight down the middle and into the gloves of Fabianski.
The visitors are still looking better on the ball, but they have not created too many chances in the final third. Norwich, meanwhile, do pose a genuine threat on the counter attack and they have created the best chance of the game so far.
I suppose we shouldn't be too surprised by the lack of goalmouth action, given the recent form of both teams. There is just a real lack of cutting edge, and neither side's creative players have had a chance to make an impact on the game.
Norwich are certainly looking more of a threat from set pieces and O'Neill causes problems with his latest delivery into the box. Bassong is closest to meeting it, but Fabianski is there to punch the ball over the bar, with the keeper taking a knock for his troubles.
It's not just at Carrow Road where the action has been at a premium, as there have been no goals in any of the other Premier League matches taking place right now. There was just one in the early kick off, with Newcastle claiming a vital win over Bournemouth.
Almost a chance for Jerome to threaten as he is slipped through on goal by Hoolahan, but the linesman raises his flag for offside. It was a tight one, but the striker was just slightly beyond the Swansea backline.
SHOT! Decent chance for the Swans as Taylor gets in down the left and whips a teasing cross into the box. Gomis arrives to meet the delivery at the front post, but the Frenchman can only guide his effort wide of the target.
Of course it's quite early to be talking about any changes, but both managers might be thinking about what they can do to their teams at half time. Their is a real lack of quality from each side when they get into the final third and a goal does not look likely at the moment.
Good play from Olsson down the left, who battles his way to the byline before winning a corner off Ayew. O'Neil then whips in the delivery, but after some difficulty, Fabianski is able to claim the ball.
PENALTY APPEAL! Gomis feels that he should be given a spot kick by the referee when he appears to be tugged back in the box by Bassong. It did seem as if there was contact from the Norwich man, but nothing is given by the official and the striker probably went down far too easily.
HALF-TIME: Norwich 0-0 Swansea
So, there hasn't been too much to get excited about, as the first half at Carrow Road ends goalless. Cameron Jerome probably had the best chance of the match with a close-range header from a free kick, but there is still everything to play for in the second half.
© Getty Images
Here's how the statistics are looking after the opening 45 minutes. Swansea have been in control for large periods of the match and they saw a dominant 71% of the possession. However, there has been little goalmouth action, with both teams mustering only three attempts each.
I mentioned earlier that there had not been a lot of goals in the Premier League this afternoon and only one of the 3pm kick offs has seen the net breached. That has come at Upton Park, where West Ham are level at 1-1 against Everton, with Romelu Lukaku's goal cancelling out an earlier strike from Manuel Lanzini.
RESTART! Swansea take the kick off and get the match back underway.
CHANCE! Norwich have made a good start to the half and they come close to carving out an opening goal. Howson does well to get down the right before whipping in a cross that is met by Brady, but he is unable to get enough power on his header, which is held onto by Fabianski.
Sigurdsson has the chance to show his free kick talents when the Swans win a free kick by the left-hand touchline. The Iceland international then whips a decent ball into the middle looking for Gomis, but it it just slightly out of his reach and goes harmlessly wide of the far post.
The Canaries have made more an effort to push higher up the pitch since the break, as they were dropping far to deep in the opening 45 minutes. It has made things a bit harder for Swansea and has given a great deal of encouragement for the home fans.
While the general play from each team in the midfield has been fine, the final ball has been so disappointing on numerous occasions. Jerome and Gomis have been feeding on scraps this afternoon and they can hardly be blamed for not scoring if things continue this way.
We've just seen a few players warming up on the touchline and it can't be too long until we see the first substitute. Some changes will be greatly appreciated by everyone involved, as there is still no indication that we will be seeing any goals this afternoon.
Over the past few minutes, Swansea have just started to reassert their dominance and they are seeing the ball much higher up the pitch. Neil will want to see his players push up a bit more, with so much of the game left to play.
SUB! Swansea make the first change of the match, with Routledge coming on for Montero.
OFF THE BAR! This is about as close as either side have come to scoring this afternoon. Routledge is straight into the action when he receives the ball down the right. He then looks up and spots Sigurdsson in the middle, before whipping in a cross that the Icelandic midfielder can only guide onto the top of the bar.
SHOT! Sigurdsson is starting to make a real impact on the game now and his neat flick finds Ki on the edge of the box. The South Korean then cuts inside and onto his left foot before curling in a strike, but he gets too much on his effort and fires the ball a few inches over the bar.
SUB! This time it's Norwich who make the change with Mbokani coming on for Jerome up front.
CLOSE! The game has really opened up and down the other end of the pitch Norwich threaten with the ball cleared out to O'Neil. He then drills in a low strike towards the far corner, but the ball heads narrowly wide of the far post.
GOAL! Norwich 1-0 Swansea (Jonny Howson)
What a crucial goal this could prove to be in Norwich's season. Brady had come close with a powerful strike that was turned behind by Fabianski, but from the resulting corner Mbokani's header back into the middle is nodded into the net from close range by Howson.
The substitution from Norwich made all the difference there as Mbokani showed his strength and power in the air to supply the goal. It has given the Canaries a crucial lead to defend as they try and head into the international break with a massive three points.
SAVE! Norwich are full of confidence now and Hoolahan seizes upon a poor clearance by Fernandez to race forward. He then gets within range and fires in a powerful drive that is heading towards the top corner until Fabianksi sticks out a hand to tip the ball over the bar.
SUB! It's a second change for Swansea, with Britton coming on for Sigurdsson.
As things stand, Norwich would move a point behind Swansea in the table and a further four points clear of the bottom three. It will also end a six-game winless run, but there is still a big 10 minutes left to play for the Canaries.
SHOT! It just isn't happening for Gomis at the moment, as the striker fires in a strike from around 30 yards out that flies high and wide of the bar. That really was a huge waste, and his drought without a goal looks set to continue.
SUB! Swansea make their third and final change of the afternoon with Eder coming on to replace Shelvey.
It's a late change for the Canaries too, as Hoolahan heads off to be replaced by Mulumbu.
There are going to be at least four minutes of stoppage time added on.
Swansea are struggling to put together any sort of pressure on their opponents' goal and it is going to take something special now for them to snatch a point. Norwich have been resolute since taking the lead, and they have everyone back behind the ball now as they look to hang on.
YELLOW CARD! O'Neill is given the first booking of the afternoon deep into stoppage time for a foul on Ki.
FULL-TIME: Norwich 1-0 Swansea
It's all over at Carrow Road, where Norwich have stopped a four-game losing run to beat Swansea. Jonny Howson's header has proven to be the difference, and it could end up being massive for the Canaries as they battle to avoid the drop this season.
That's all we've got time for here, but there's more Premier League action from the Britannia, as Stoke City host Chelsea in the evening's late kick off. You can find our coverage of that match right here. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Goodbye.
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
