SIMEON JACKSON’S first-half strike was enough for the Canaries to overcome struggling Middlesbrough, and climb their way back up the table. Backed by their biggest crowd of the season, 25,410, they continued their impressive record under Lambert, never losing two games in succession.

FIRST-HALF: After Tuesday’s disappointing display, Lambert took bold action, dropping Hoolahan, Askou and Korey Smith, replacing them with McNamee, Fox and Ward. In bitterly cold conditions, both sides were slow to start. With eight minutes gone, the Canaries won a corner. McNamee’s flag-kick caused havoc within the Boro box; it fell to the returning Ward who smashed over. At the opposite end, Boyd won a free-kick after being chopped down by Barnett. O’Neill swung in a dangerous delivery which Ruddy claimed well from under the crossbar. In an opening of few openings, Holt let fly from thirty yards, his effort dropping wide of goal. With eighteen minutes on the clock, the City defence parted like the red sea and Lita was on the chase. Ruddy had to come out, let down by his defence, finding himself caught in no-man’s land as he tried to close the angle for Lita. Luckily, Russell Martin got back to slide the ball to safety. David Wheater headed over from the resulting corner.

The impressive Russell Martin then showed good strength to dispossess O’Neill outside the Boro box. He stole forwards, playing the ball to Simeon Jackson. The Canadian caught his effort too well and it flew over the crossbar. The lively Jackson then did well to win a corner, his cross flying off Wheater into the Norwich & Peterborough stand. The initial corner was cleared; McNamee swung the ball back in finding Crofts. He controlled well and fired a shot at goal; it stung the post before rolling back into the hands of a grateful Jason Steele. The Canaries were having the better off the first period and were inches from taking the lead. It was Jackson again, brilliantly flicking Russell Martin’s cross at goal, yet, it flew wide of the post.

Boro continued to make a contest off it, Williams breaking forwards before playing in Lita. Lita smashed an effort at goal that was well blocked by Ward. An apparent City target in the summer, Nicky Bailey went close for the visitors, smashing a fizzing low-drive wide of goal from distance. Russell Martin continued to impress, breaking forwards and playing in Crofts. The fiery midfielder stepped forwards and hammered over from distance. Simon Lappin was the next to go close; driving at goal from a McNamee corner, but his effort was blocked. Finally, the pressure paid off. McNamee cut inside and fired a delightful cross to the far post. Holt slid in for Jackson, who tapped home from close-range for his fourth goal of the season.

SECOND-HALF: Much like the first period, the second started slowly. The first chance of note came when Steven Smith broke forwards, playing in David Fox. Fox’s powerful drive was deflected wide. Boro were awarded a free-kick, five yards from the City penalty area after Bailey was brought down. O’Neill’s effort was disappointing, clonking into the City wall. With time running out and the Canaries defence holding strong, Simeon Jackson was withdrawn to a standing ovation. Chris Martin replaced him.

Soon after Martin’s introduction, the Canaries won a free-kick. Holt, enjoying one of his better games this campaign was fouled. City fans were licking their lips as it appeared the kick was within Martin territory. After much build-up, he drilled his effort straight at the wall. Time continued to tick away and Boro came forwards, Bailey’s shot ricocheting off McNamee for a corner. Though, the kick was poor and cleared everyone. Boro sub Bennett drilled wide from distance, as the Canaries struggled to get out of their own half during the closing stages. With time almost up, Boro had a golden chance to snatch a point. Bailey broke into the box and pulled the ball back for McDonald. The Kiwi found himself in significant space but drilled his shot wide of goal.

FULL-TIME: It was not the prettiest game of football this afternoon but the Canaries ground out an important result. The return of Elliot Ward was crucial; City looked far stronger at the back with Wardy and Barnett appearing to build a solid partnership. Lambert was a happier man compared to the frustrated figure that addressed the press on Tuesday. “I’m delighted to win the game and bounce back from the other day. I said the other night that set pieces were criminal to lose out to and Ward coming back today made a big difference. I thought we were good, I thought we played well today,” said Lambert, “I just felt we needed to freshen things up a bit after Tuesday night. We win together and we lose together. All of the players have been tremendous since we came in here and we play as a squad”

MAN OF THE MATCH, RUSSELL MARTIN: RM was solid, breaking forwards to great effect and doing his job in defence. A few mistakes here and there, yet, he’s improving game by game and resemblances between himself and 2003/2004 right-back Marc Edworthy can be drawn…

NOTE: Due to a prior engagement, it looks unlikely that I will be able to do a Cardiff report. If anyone is interested in doing one, I am happy to give you some tips. Otherwise, normal service will be resumed for Burnley on November 6th.

In: Cory Varney Thread By: Supermarket Prodigy [391 ] Posted: 574 days ago