Bradley Johnson header condemns Stoke City to defeat

Norwich City have secured a 1-0 win over Stoke City thanks to a first-half header from Bradley Johnson.

© PA Photos

Stoke started the better of the two sides but it was the Canaries who had the game's first clear chance, when Wesley Hoolahan found Anthony Pilkington inside the area. However, his effort was superbly blocked by Asmir Begovic.

Pilkington continued his personal battle with Begovic moments later by turning on the edge of the box before firing a strike at goal that the Stoke goalkeeper did well to push past the post.

Norwich were rewarded for their pressure before the break when a Robert Snodgrass free kick found Johnson, who headed the ball into the far corner of the goal.

Hoolahan almost doubled his side's lead just after the interval with a speculative effort from the halfway line that Begovic had to tip over the crossbar.

Against the run of play, Stoke nearly equalised when a deep ball was headed towards goal by Jonathan Walters but John Ruddy did superbly to keep his team ahead.

Tony Pulis introduced Kenwyne Jones to the contest and the change almost had an instant impact but the striker's header was pushed away by Ruddy.

Stoke searched for a late equaliser until the final whistle and it was Jones once again who had the clearest opportunity, but his powerful strike went inches wide of the post as Norwich held on for the three points.