Norwich win to hamper Burnley's Premier League survival bid

Goals from Pierre Lees-Melou and Teemu Pukki helped reinvigorate Norwich's slim survival hopes with a 2-0 home win over relegation rivals Burnley.

The Canaries were 10 points from safety before kick-off, but Lees-Melou's early deflected strike gave Dean Smith's men a precious lead and Pukki's composed finish late on clinched a first Premier League victory in nine attempts.

It could be too little too late for bottom club Norwich, who remain in a perilous position but at least has kept 18th-placed Burnley within touching distance and dealt a serious blow to the visitors' own chances of beating the drop.

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While this fixture may have been overshadowed by the top-of-the-table clash between Manchester City and Liverpool later in the afternoon, it was a match of vital importance in the battle to remain in the division.

The result from the other game between Merseyside and Manchester teams this weekend had served to ramp up the pressure at Carrow Road, but chances were created from the off with Milot Rashica testing Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope before Jay Rodriguez saw a tame header easily saved by Tim Krul at the other end.

Playing with an unexpected degree of freedom, it was Norwich who broke the deadlock through Lees-Melou in the ninth minute.

Burnley, who had Republic of Ireland international Nathan Collins in their back four, failed to deal with Kieran Dowell's corner and Lees-Melou side-footed into the bottom corner from the edge of the area via a deflection off Josh Brownhill.

Pope was left with no chance but played his part soon after to prevent the Canaries doubling their lead.

Lees-Melou was again involved and sent Pukki away down the right, with the striker's low effort stopped by the outstretched right boot