Cardiff City were knocked out of the Carabao Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Norwich City at Cardiff City Stadium, with 15-year-old Noah Anyadike making history on a difficult night for the Bluebirds.
Anyadike became Cardiff's youngest-ever senior player at 15 years and 98 days when he was handed his debut by Brian Barry-Murphy, starting at centre-back in a much-changed side as City attempted to reach the third round.
Norwich take control
Mathias Kvistgaarden gave Norwich the lead in the first half before Ante Crnac doubled the visitors' advantage 14 minutes from time. Yousef Salech pulled one back in stoppage time, but Cardiff could not find a late equaliser as their Carabao Cup campaign came to an end.
Barry-Murphy made several changes following Saturday's 2-2 draw at Derby County, with Anyadike joined in the starting XI by David Turnbull, Joel Colwill, Isaak Davies and Callum Robinson.
Cardiff started positively, with Robinson's cross narrowly evading Davies before Alex Robertson fired wide from distance. The hosts were enjoying possession in the opening stages, but Norwich soon began to threaten.
Historic debut cut short
Anthony Musaba caused problems down Cardiff's left and Nathan Trott was called into action before Norwich broke the deadlock after 26 minutes. Liam Gibbs swung in a corner and Kvistgaarden rose highest to send a powerful header beyond Trott.
The Cardiff goalkeeper then produced a superb save to prevent Norwich from doubling their lead. Anyadike was unable to win a header as the visitors broke forward, with Gibbs found unmarked at the back post, but Trott flew across his goal to keep the deficit at one.
Cardiff struggled to create a clear opening before half-time and went into the break behind.
Late rally falls short
Norwich struck the crossbar shortly after the restart when Anis Ben Slimane headed against the woodwork, before Cardiff suffered another defensive setback. Anyadike went down injured after 53 minutes and was forced off, with Rubin Colwill replacing him. Robertson subsequently moved back into defence as City's injury problems at the back continued.
Cardiff improved after the changes, with Turnbull forcing a save from Daniel Grimshaw and Davies seeing a dangerous cross cleared. Moylan, Salech and Cian Ashford were introduced in the 68th minute as Barry-Murphy looked for a way back into the tie, but Norwich landed the decisive blow 11 minutes later.
Joel Bagan lost possession on the left before Jack Stacey drove forward and sent a low cross into the box. Crnac slid in to finish first time and make it 2-0.
Salech gave Cardiff hope in the 90th minute when he was played in behind and held off Harry Darling before firing a left-footed shot past Grimshaw from 18 yards. There was still time for Moylan to go down in the box under a challenge, but no penalty was awarded, and Norwich saw out the remaining minutes to progress to Round Three.
Cardiff now turn their attention back to the Championship, with their cup run ending at the second-round stage.
