Norwich City and Cardiff City shared a goalless draw in their Premier League match this afternoon.

Both teams were looking to put recent defeats behind them and pick up valuable points in their battle to stay up.

Despite having over 30 shots on goal, Norwich couldn't make the breakthrough with David Marshall making a host of saves for the Welsh side.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the events that unfolded at Carrow Road.

Match statistics:

Norwich:
Shots 31
On Target 10
Possession 61%
Corners 13
Fouls 8

Cardiff:
Shots 6
On Target 2
Possession 39%
Corners 2
Fouls 10

Was the result fair?

Norwich dominated the game from start to finish today and if they were more composed in front of goal then they would have won the game. To have 31 shots and not score shows that they lack real quality in front of goal and will need to address the issue if they are to avoid a relegation battle this year.

Norwich's performance

The Canaries played some decent football today and had the vast majority of the possession throughout the match. Chris Hughton will have been desperately disappointed they did not made their domination count and will wonder how one of their many chances didn't find the back of the net.

Cardiff's performance

It was clear from kick off that Cardiff were set up to take a point from today's game and Malkay Mackay will have been delighted to see his team achieve an away draw. They didn't cause Norwich many problems but wasted the best chance of the match through Jordon Mutch. A point and a clean sheet will give the manager confidence in what is going to be a tough season for the Welsh side.

Sports Mole's man of the match

David Marshall: The Cardiff goalkeeper was outstanding today. He constantly kept the Norwich strikers at bay throughout the match, with his best save coming in the last minute to deny a close-range header from Johan Elmander. If the Bluebirds are to survive in the Premier League this season, then Marshall is a player they will need to be at the top of his game every week.

Biggest gaffe

Cardiff could well have won the game had Mutch put them into the lead in the first half, but he saw his strike from close range blocked by John Ruddy. From just a few yards out the young midfielder should have tucked his effort away instead of giving the keeper a chance to make the save.

Referee performance

Michael Jones had a solid game all afternoon but in the fourth minute of added time he was forced into a difficult decision. Leroy Fer kicked the ball into an empty net from a throw-in instead of giving it back to Marshall after it had been put out of play to allow Alexander Tettey treatment. He was then surrounded by angry Cardiff players and decided that the goal would not stand. It was a tough position for the official to be put in but he dealt with it well.

What next?

Norwich: Next up for the Canaries is a trip to Old Trafford for their League Cup tie with Manchester United on Tuesday.

Cardiff: The Bluebirds welcome their fierce rivals Swansea City to the Cardiff City Stadium next Sunday.