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‘It’s a big surprise’ – Stoke special takes Teemu a step closer to his Norwich City goal
Teemu Pukki hopes Norwich City can get the promotion party started against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
There was a Teemu Pukki collectors item at Stoke, as the striker used his head to take Norwich City one step closer to the Premier League.
The Finland international glanced the Canaries into their second lead of the day in Staffordshire – only for Tom Edwards to cancel out City’s advantage just three minutes later.
But given Pukki’s 28th goal of an incredibly productive campaign – and events at Griffin Park following City’s draw – there was still plenty of reason to smile before arriving back in Norfolk, after a 12th game without defeat and 88th point of the season.
“Of course I’m really, really happy how my season has been – and it’s not finished yet,” smiled City’s leading scorer.
“In the end, everything that matters to me is what we do as a team. So we win on Saturday, and then I’ll be more proud.”
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“It was my first header here I think. I’m not so used to scoring with my head so it’s a big surprise. Everywhere I’ve played I think I have scored just one header, so I hope I can score here more than one.”
MORE: Stoke 2-2 Norwich City – How the Championship clash unfolded
Leeds’ defeat at Brentford subsequently took Norwich to within a point of their Premier League return – but the immediate aftermath for Daniel Farke’s men was of significant disappointment at an opportunity missed; and what felt a crucial one at that.
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“All of us are a bit disappointed,” added Pukki. “It was a tough game but we were in front two times so I think we should have got more here than what we got.
“We are tired. It was really warm weather and we’re not used to it after a really long winter! But that’s how it is.
“Against Sheffield Wednesday we came back so it felt like a win and got the point. Here I felt we deserved more. It was a tough fight and especially in the first half, I didn’t think they had anything. We could’ve done better with both goals.
“I think we have a day off on Wednesday, so after Tuesday for sure I will not think about football for a couple of days and just be with my family.
“I think the other guys as well, we just need to forget this one and in a couple of days we’ll be switched on again.”
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