Premier League: Stoke 1 Norwich 0

Stoke kept up their momentum with a second straight Premier League win for the first time since December with a 1-0 victory over Norwich.

The victory at the Britannia Stadium meant Stoke again leapfrogged their opponents on the day in the league and gave them further chance of cementing themselves in the top half of the table.

Stoke dominated the first half, but a lack of clinical finishing and a fantastic save from John Ruddy denied them a chance to go in the lead, with the Canaries’ keeper stopping Peter Crouch’s effort just before the break.

Matthew Etherington made the difference in the second however, the Potters taking advantage of Norwich’s willingness to allow them to attack frequently. The winger used a mix of luck and skill to blast the ball past Ruddy and into the far corner.

There was just a single change from Stoke as they looked for some consistency following their win over Swansea City and replaced Matthew Upson with Robert Huth at the back, with the German returning from a three-match suspension.

Promising winger Ryan Shotton kept his place ahead of regular flanker Jermaine Pennant, with the 23-year-old very much in favour of manager Tony Pulis of late.

Norwich made just two changes, with Jonny Howson finally getting his full debut after arriving at Carrow Road from Leeds United in January. Grant Holt started as the sole striker, with five midfielders behind as the visitors looked to restrict the Potters’ movement in the middle.

Stoke had the best of the early moments, going close on two occasions inside the first 25 minutes.

Jonathan Walters with a stinging shot from just inside the Canaries’ box tested John Ruddy, the Norwich keeper taking hold of the ball after spilling his initial save.

Dean Whitehead then latched onto a ball in the area and sent his effort low and hard towards the far corner, but Ruddy once more made sure the danger was eliminated with a save into his chest.

Holt had the visitors’ first opportunity of the afternoon with a header from a searching cross. The striker’s accuracy was there, but so was Asmir Begovic to make the save.

A frenzied attack from Stoke just before the break saw Crouch at the back post with a perfect chance to put the Potters in the lead but Ruddy was up to the task with his instinctive effort one of the saves of the season.

Stoke didn’t give up their momentum as the second half began and continued their bombardment of Norwich’s area with long balls and aerial threats.

It was just a matter of time before the hosts made their dominance pay and rewarded the Britannia faithful for their patience with a brilliantly taken goal when Etherington burst into the Norwich area and got a bit of luck with a failed tackle from his marker to open himself up to goal and strike into the far corner of Ruddy’s net.

The solitary goal was enough to see the Potters once more rise above their opponents on the day and further back their chances of a top-half finish.