The expression on Martin Olsson’s face was almost incredulous. And no wonder. The Swedish defender had just lashed a first-time shot into the bottom corner of the net to give Norwich a precious last-minute victory in an incredibly dramatic match. In doing so he gave Norwich’s Premier survival hopes a mighty boost, and deflated those of Rafael Benítez and Newcastle.
Olsson’s goal came right at the end of a taut, action-packed game with ramifications for both teams. The first half was relatively sedate in view of the drama that unfolded in the second, with the only goal in the first period coming from Timm Klose just before the break. Newcastle were transformed at half-time and drew level through Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was introduced in the second-half to do just that. Dieumerci Mbokani fired the hosts back in front before Mitrovic equalised again near the end, this time from a contentiously-awarded penalty.
Newcastle stormed forward for a the winning goal that they felt they needed and deserved, but when Olsson joined in a Norwich attack by running on to a pass at the corner of the Newcastle box, he hammered a low shot into the net to trigger wild celebrations at Carrow Road. Except in the away end, where fans were again confronted by their worst fears.
Both managers had been forced to start with altered lineups, partly by injuries, partly by unacceptable form. Benítez made five changes to the Newcastle side that laboured to a draw against Sunderland two weeks ago. Karl Darlow, as expected, started in goal in place of the stricken Rob Elliot, while Vernon Anita, contrary to expectations, began at left-back. Papiss Cissé replaced Mitrovic up front, thereby making his first Premier League start since suffering a groin injury the week before Christmas.
Andre Wisdom’s last league appearance dated back even farther than that, but the right-back was drafted in to the Norwich side instead of the injured Russell Martin. That was one of three adjustments made by Alex Neil, with Ryan Bennett replacing Sébastien Bassong in central defence and Steven Naismith returning to perform the second striker role instead of Wes Hoolahan.
Norwich knew that Newcastle needed the win more urgently than them and practically dared the visitors to come at them full-tilt. But Benítez, aware of how scatty this team can be, had apparently been preaching composure and Newcastle seemed more intent on respecting their team shape than unhinging their opponents. It is one thing being patient, but when everyone is waiting for someone else to do something nothing gets done. The only Newcastle player that regularly took initiatives in the first-half was Andros Townsend, but he lacked the accuracy to make good on bold intentions. The Norwich goalkeeper, John Ruddy, did not have to dirty his gloves in the first period.
Once Norwich realised that the threat from Newcastle was not what it should have been, they began to put down their shields and brandish their weapons. Naismith’s first shot, in the 11th minute, presented Darlow with a gentle reintroduction to the Premier League. The home crowd tried to spook Newcastle’s inexperienced goalkeeper with regular taunts, but Darlow rose to their challenge in the 33rd minute by making a superb save with his left foot, stabbing away a close-range shot by Mbokani.
As half-time approached Norwich must have been regretting their failure to convert pressure into a lead, but that concern turned to joy just before the break. After Cheick Tioté committed his umpteenth needless foul, Brady delivered a marvellous inswinging free-kick from the right and Klose, having shaken off a negligent marker, nodded the ball into the bottom corner from eight yards.
Benítez had spent most of the first half gesticulating to his players from the sidelines. It was not obvious that they knew what the manager’s signals meant. At half-time he had a chance to deliver his message more clearly, and also to replace Tioté, a red-card-waiting-to-happen, with Ayoze Pérez. And five minutes after the resumption, the manager’s feelings were plain for everyone to see: he, like Newcastle’s players and fans, was incredulous when Cissé missed a wonderful chance to equalise, shanking the ball wide from five yards after John Ruddy spilled a long shot by Townsend. It had been a big call by the manager to start with the Senegalese, and that wild shot meant it backfired.
At least Newcastle, in general, were looking more dangerous. Townsend, in particular, raised his performance and began tearing holes in the home defence with jagged runs. But Norwich knew the prize for keeping a third clean sheet in a row was breathing room in the fight for survival, and they defended accordingly. On the hour, Benítez withdrew Anita and threw on another striker, Mitrovic.
Panicky defending prevented Newcastle from making a proper clearance after a renewed Norwich attack, and Mbokani collected the ball wide on the left before barging into the box and walloping a shot past Darlow and high into the net.
The game hurtled from one end to the other for the remaining quarter of an hour. Mitrovic’s aerial power was Newcastle’s most obvious weapon and they catapulted crosses towards him. But Norwich appeared set to hold on – until four minutes from time, when the ball hit O’Neil’s arm as Pérez tried to flip it past him, and the referee Mike Dean awarded a penalty. Mitrovic kept his cool and converted.
Norwich ended the game clinging on for just a point as Newcastle stormed forward for the win. Cissé almost atoned for his earlier miss by redirecting a Mitrovic header towards goal, but Ruddy foiled him with a full-length save.
