Jack Stacey’s first goal in yellow and green was the difference for the Canaries, who are now fourth in the table with 13 points.
Ashley Barnes will be disappointed not to have added to his two goals as a Norwich player when Dimitris Giannoulis’ cross tempted him into a lunge at the ball, the Greek’s ball fractionally evading him early on.
Summer signing Lynden Gooch had the best chance of a barren first half for the Potters, but his close-range effort was cleared eventually by Gabriel Sara.
Adam Idah could have opened the scoring when compatriot Shane Duffy found him in the box in the 40th minute, but his powerless effort was straight at Stoke goalkeeper Mark Travers.
Stacey then found the goal to break the deadlock, poking beyond Travers after Jonathan Rowe’s header fell into his path.
Stoke constructed a brief resurgence as the second period started, but Campbell couldn’t convert either of his chances in its first 10 minutes.
Sead Haksabanovic and Josh Laurent came close to equalising in the game’s final quarter, but neither could find the target as time ticked away.
Wouter Burger had Stoke’s first shot on target of the afternoon in the 85th minute, but the hosts held out to secure their fourth victory of the league campaign.
NORWICH CITY:
Substitutes:
12. Long (GK)
8. Gibbs (on for Barnes, 82)
20. Placheta (on for Giannoulis, 60)
21. Batth
25. Hernandez (on for Rowe, 71)
29. Forshaw
31. Hwang (on for Idah, 60)
35. Fisher
42. Springett (on for Fassnacht, 82)
Head Coach: David Wagner
Bookings: Hughes (coach, 26), Giannoulis (43), Fassnacht (81)
Goals: Stacey (44)
STOKE CITY:
Substitutes:
13. Bonham (GK)
11. Gayle (on for Burger, 88)
12. Johnson (on for Jun Ho, 61)
15. Thompson
20. Haksabanovic (on for Wesley, 61)
21. Jojic
23. McNally
24. Tchamadeu (on for Leris, 74)
35. Lowe
Manager: Alex Neil
Bookings: Leris (20), Pearson (31)
Goals:
KEY MOMENTS
4 – Sara strikes sweetly from range and his shot swerves just wide of the far post.
5 – Giannoulis’ chip finds Fassnacht, whose half-volley is straight at Tavers on the turn.
14 – Sara’s pass finds Giannoulis, whose volleyed cross just evades Barnes.
22 – Burger finds room and tries a shot from distance, but it flies well over the bar.
33 – Stoke counter and Gooch shoots from inside the box, but Duffy, Gibson and Sara combine to clear.
40 – Duffy finds Idah in the box, but Irishman’s shot is softly straight at Travers.
42 – Rowe cuts in and shoots, but Travers collects.
44 – GOAL NORWICH (Stacey): Rowe heads into Stacey’s path from Fassnacht’s cross, and the full-back can’t miss for his first Norwich goal.
45+2 – The ball falls to Campbell in the box and he should score, but inexplicably drives wide.
Half time – Norwich City 1-0 Stoke City
57 – Giannoulis finds Idah on the edge of the box, but he can only drive over the bar.
64 – Fassnacht gets the wrong side of Gooch and shoots, but can only pick out the side netting from a tight angle.
72 – Stacey’s cross finds Hernandez at the back post, but he blazes his left-footed volley well over.
75 – Haksabanovic has time in the box but falls as he shoots, with the result dribbling into Gunn’s arms.
77 – Laurent cuts in and shoots, but his effort is just over.
Full time – Norwich City 1-0 Stoke City
PLAYER RATINGS
Gunn 7, Stacey 8, Duffy 7, Gibson 7, Giannoulis 7, McLean 7, Sara 7, Fassnacht 8, Rowe 6, Barnes 6, Idah 6. Subs: Hwang 5, Placheta 6, Hernandez 5, Springett 5, Gibbs 5.
MATCH STATISTICS
Possession: 46pc-54pc
Shots: 12-11
On target: 5-1
Corners: 5-3
Fouls: 7-13
Injury time: 2 mins/5 mins
ATTENDANCE: 25,816 (1,095)
REFEREE: Oliver Langford
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