Premier League: Norwich 3 Swansea 1

Anthony Pilkington’s double fired Norwich City to a convincing 3-1 home win over Swansea City on Saturday.

The match was the first meeting between any of the Premier League’s newly promoted sides and Norwich backed up their standing as the highest placed of the three with a fine performance.

The Canaries made the brightest possible start. Elliot Bennett’s cross was headed back into the area by Welsh international striker Steve Morison and Pilkington was on hand to smash the ball in to give Norwich the lead inside the first minute.

Paul Lambert’s men had a chance to double their lead just minutes later as Morison looked to run through one-on-one before being hauled down by Swansea skipper Garry Monk who was booked.

Norwich made it 2-0 in the 10th minute, however after Russell Martin was given a free header from David Fox’s free-kick.

Just as it looked like it was going to be a tough afternoon for Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers, his side grabbed a quick reply.

Scott Sinclair burst down the left hand side leaving Kyle Naughton and Bennett in his wake, slipped in the area but still managed to prod the ball into the path of Danny Graham who swept in his second goal in as many games.

The game continued at break-neck speed, Graham just failing to latch on to Ashley Williams’ ball into the area and the lively Morison volleying wide.

Angel Rangel and Sinclair both had efforts from distance which failed to properly test John Ruddy as the Swans began to dominate.

But Norwich came right back, former Millwall striker Morison initially turning provider for Pilkington who could only hit the ball into the side netting and then testing Michel Vorm out with a low drive.

The Canaries started the second half in a similar vein to the first with Bradley Johnson heading wide from a corner and Morison troubling the entire Swansea backline with his pace, strength and touch.

The Swans only had a scuffed Sinclair effort to show for their efforts and made a change on the hour as Stephen Dobbie replaced Wayne Routledge.

The sub failed to have the desired impact for the Swans as a Norwich corner fell to Johnson who was unable to shoot but prodded the ball to Pilkington who swivelled and restored Norwich’s two-goal cushion.

Johnson hit an effort from the edge of the box straight at Vorm who was then tested by a 25-yard drive from Holt which sent the Dutchman sprawling to his right to parry away.