Championship play-off final to feature former Canaries on both sides
There was play-off disappointment for former Norwich winger Josh Murphy, as Cardiff were beaten in the semi-finals by Fulham Picture: John Walton/PA Wire - Credit: PA
There will be former Norwich City players on both sides during next week’s Championship play-off final at Wembley.
Fulham boss Scott Parker and midfielder Harrison Reed, both of whom spent time on loan with the Canaries, will be facing off against Sergi Canos and Brentford on Tuesday evening.
Parker is still on course to lead the Cottagers straight back to the Premier League, having been handed his first managerial role during the closing stages of their relegation campaign.
Reed has been a regular for the former England international in midfield during his latest loan away from Southampton and played all of both legs against Cardiff and his former Norwich team-mate Josh Murphy, with a 2-0 away win followed by a 2-1 home defeat on Thursday to edge through 3-2 on aggregate.
While in the other tie, Spanish winger Canos stayed on the bench as Brentford lost 1-0 at Swansea in the first leg but came on for the final 14 minutes of a 3-1 home win in the second leg on Wednesday as he continues making his way back from a long-term knee injury - as the Bees said farewell to Griffin Park before moving to a new stadium.
Fulham manager Scott Parker (left) and Tom Cairney celebrate reaching the Championship play-off final Picture John Walton/PA Wire - Credit: PA
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Fulham boss Parker, who scored once during a six-game loan from Charlton during the early stages of his career, said of his team’s success: “Overall we’ve got ourselves to the final, which is an incredible achievement in terms of a long drawn out season, the 48th game that was.
“The goal was to get to the final and we have done that. The performance and where we were was tough. Cardiff made it very difficult for us, come here like a wounded animal after the first leg and had nothing to lose, in that sense.
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“You see the difference between the two teams, a bit of an edginess to us, while goals change that equation.
“They had nothing to lose. We sensed that, the way they play they constantly put you under pressure from all over the pitch.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank celebrates play-off victory over Swansea with Sergi Canos at Griffin Park Picture: John Walton/PA Wire - Credit: PA
“Brentford are a very good side, we’re playing against a very good side and we understand that.”
Former City winger Murphy played 81 minutes for Cardiff at Craven Cottage, as a win was not enough.
