DESPITE THE BEST EFFORTS of Martin Atkinson and his assistants, who made a series of torrid decisions, Norwich emerged victorious in a thrilling 4-2 triumph over Newcastle United. Grant Holt grabbed a brace, Steve Morison scored a cracking header while Wes Hoolahan also got himself on the scoresheet in an early Christmas cracker of a game!

TEAM NEWS – Lambert reverted to the diamond as Newcastle arrived at Carrow Road. Leon Barnett, Bradley Johnson and Anthony Pilkington were dropped to the bench, which left John Ruddy in goal, Kyle Naughton, Zak Whitbread, Russell Martin and Marc Tierney were in defence. In midfield started David Fox, Andrew Surman, Wes Hoolahan and Andrew Crofts while up front was the pairing of Steve Morison and captain Grant Holt.

FIRST-HALF – The Canaries started the better as Steve Morison came close to latching onto a loose ball, though Krul raced out in time to clear. Despite their early pressure, Newcastle had the first chance of proceedings as Ruddy palmed away Gutierrez’s cross. It fell to Demba Ba who’s follow up was comfortably saved by Ruddy. After a David Fox free-kick was deflected wide, Andrew Crofts came close to snatching a shot from the loose ball – though Shola Ameobi flicked the ball away. Crofts was subsequently booked, despite it being a ball he was completely entitled to challenge for. City were still looking bright as Holt chased down a long ball and powered into the box, he advanced on goal though saw his stinging drive blocked by James Perch. The Canaries were beginning to pepper the Newcastle goal with shots as David Fox spun a 30 yard volley over the crossbar. The Magpies responded as Gosling managed to latch onto Ryan Taylor’s cross, though his volley crashed wide. Then came the first moment of controversy as Mr. Atkinson inexplicably turned down a seemingly stonewall Norwich penalty appeal! Norwich built down the right as Naughton thumped a cross into the box, Santon’s outstretched arm appeared to be the source of the block, yet Atkinson waved play-on despite furious protests from the Canary faithful.

Atkinson continued to build the foundations for pantomime villain as he waved play on after a apparent foul on Kyle Naughton. The ball fell to Cabaye who let rip with a long-range effort, it took a deflection and was creeping in the far corner though Ruddy scampered across, before clawing the ball away. Then came a deserved opener for the Canaries, with Wes Hoolahan the scorer. After a disputable corner was awarded to City, with Tim Krul adjudged to have carried the ball out of play, Andrew Crofts saw his header blocked on the line. A scramble erupted before Wes stabbed the ball home, sending Carrow Road wild with celebration. They say that you’re most vulnerable after conceding, it proved to be the case as the Toon nearly drew level. Dan Gosling was let loose down the wing, before stumbling just as he entered the area. Surman and Fox got back brilliantly though, to shepherd the ball out for a corner. In first-half stoppage time Newcastle drew level. Cabaye clipped a neat ball over the top, Demba Ba brought it down, controlled and slid past the onrushing John Ruddy. It was out of nothing, against the run of play and a bit of a sucker punch for City as the first period was drawn to a close.

SECOND-HALF – Norwich were still in the dressing room it seemed as Newcastle started the better, with Obertan dancing down the wing. It was an excellent run before he fired in a cross, Ameobi flicked it onto Ba at the far post. The big striker controlled and smashed an emphatic volley against the crossbar. There was another nervy minute a moment later as Gutierrez won a free-kick on the far side. It was curled in by Ryan Taylor, Ruddy flapped at it and missed the ball before it drifted harmlessly out of play. Naughton had City’s first chance with an ambitious 30 yard effort, though it was well blocked. The Toon responded as Gutierrez bought another free-kick from Atkinson, it was taken quickly and blocked by Hoolahan who looked to break forwards – yet Atkinson blew up and booked the little Irishman! The Canaries responded up the other end as Morison held the ball up on the far side before drilling in a low ball, Perch crept in just before Surman to put the ball out for a corner. Whitbread headed it to Holt, though as the big man tried to get the ball across it was blocked – sparking more handball appeals with the desired answer lacking from Atkinson.

But from the resulting corner, the Canaries regained their lead! After Holt had seen his initial header well saved by Krul, it bounced back out to him and he made little mistake in finding the back of the net with his head, with assistance from the underside of the crossbar! Carrow Road was rocking, before rocketing into party mode as Morison scored a fine third for the Canaries. After Newcastle had gifted Norwich the ball, Andrew Crofts whipped in an excellent cross for Morison to charge onto and smashed a header into the corner! He raced towards the Jarrold before fluffing his attempted knee slide, but it was clear to see the Welshman relished his latest City strike! Norwich were then handed another advantage as Dan Gosling saw red. The ball was loose in midfield before Russell Martin prepared to clear, Gosling came storming in very high and late, clattering into the City defender who was left in a heap. Atkinson came off and brandished the red, it was certainly warranted.

Norwich were in control now, putting together some lovely passing moves with the latest seeing Perch just deny an onrushing Holt. Though despite appearing so comfortable, Norwich were pegged back – again out of nothing. Whitbread dallied with possession on the halfway line before Ameobi robbed him. He slotted a neat ball through to Demba Ba who raced at goal, took it past a City defender before firing past Ruddy. The visitors had their tails up now as Obertan stormed forwards with intent, though his cross was cut out by Ruddy. Lambert chose to make a change as Bradley Johnson replaced Andrew Surman. After weathering the Newcastle storm, City gradually regained their composure with Fox seeing a long range drive deflected for a corner. The corner came to nothing, though it was Norwich’s next attack which proved decisive. Marc Tierney picked out Hoolahan with a lovely long ball, the little man controlled before being dumped on the floor by his marker. Bradley Johnson trotted across, curled in a deadly delivery which saw Holt rose highest. The net bulged. Carrow Road erupted once more and City were in full ascendancy now! Leon Barnett and Simeon Jackson both came on for the Canaries in the closing stages, though they were never really troubled as they stood up well, numbing Newcastle forward forays and seeing out a fine three points.

MAN OF THE MATCH, THE MORROHOLT – It’s impossible to separate the pair for me, both Morison and Holt were sublime for us today. They’ve built up a great understanding and really could be a promising partnership for games to come. Morison’s goal was a fine header, while Holt led by example throughout.

SUMMED UP IN A SENTENCE, Our best performance of the season, we played some fine football and fully deserved the 3 points.

In: Cory Varney Thread By: Supermarket Prodigy [391 ] Posted: 161 days ago