Match Review 2011 - 2012

The visit of Blackburn Rovers to Carrow Road would have been viewed at the start of the season as a 6 pointer, Steve Keen has been under immense pressure from the fans in the last few weeks with his job looking rightly or wrongly in jeopardy after every result. Blackburn were sitting bottom of the league with only 5 points, are short on confidence even though they did win in the week after extra time in the cup. Norwich by contrast are riding on the crest of a wave, picking up solid wins and a brilliant away point at Anfield last week, Norwich named an unchanged team for the 6th game while Blackburn had dangerous Hoilett and veteran Yakubu in attacking positions.

Both teams started the game in adventurous play with Formica having the first shot of the game after only 2 minutes, 2 minutes later Blackburn had another chance cleared off the line from a corner. On 5 minutes Norwich created their first real chance of the game,Pilkington got away down the left and crossed a lovely ball across the 6 yard box,the Blackburn defender did well to get to the ball before Morison and i thought it should have been a corner when the ball went over. Blackburn were moving the ball around well with Nzonzi looking to dictate play. Yakubu should have done better when he was put through but he took the shot with his left foot when it looked he had a better chance with his right. Both Norwich wingers were causing problems for their respective full back, Bennett created a chance for Pilkington which was well blocked. On 18 minutes Robinson did well to get down to a Fox effort,after a good initial build up play involving Wes and a deft lay off from Morison. Another good run by Pilkington on the 35th minute created another chance for Bennett but his shot ended up in the side netting,he probably should have hit the target. In the 39th minute John Ruddy misjudged a cross and nearly took the ball into his own net,but luckily we got away with it. Just when you thought it was going to be 0-0 at half time Hoilett produced a goal out of the top draw,he cut in from the left,beat a couple of Norwich players and smashed an unstoppable shot into the far top corner, we probably should have sent him down the line on his weaker left foot but that was easier said than done.

Overall, bit of a sucker punch at the end of the first half,Norwich were slightly the better team creating the better chances but Blackburn still had their moments.

Norwich started the second half with a goal of the highest order,with 7 minutes gone the ball dropped to Morison 25 yards out and he hit a magnificent drive that came out of nowhere giving Robinson little chance to react. Norwich nearly scored again on 54 minutes, another excellent Pilkington delivery was met by Johnson 6 yards out but it looked like the defender did just enough to take the sting out of the header. The game then swung in the visitors favour, Formica did well to put Yakubu through and he hit his shot very early.it was sneaked in the near post under Ruddy,he'd of been disappointed with the goal. Another bit of poor defending left City 3-1 down only 2 minutes later,first Barnett fouled Hoilett on the left picking up a booking in the process, Gamst Pedersen free kick eluded everybody leaving big Samba to head in unchallenged at the far post,defensively a bad goal to give away. Paul Lambert made two changes bringing on Holt and Crofts for Bennett and Fox, Blackburn seemed to be in control now with Nzonzi controlling central midfield.Norwich still created a couple of decent chances with first Wes denied with a right foot mishit, then 2 minutes later Holt probably should've shot,instead he crossed with Blackburn doing well to clear. Norwich were handed a life line with 8 minutes to go, Johnsons long range shot was deflected and looped over Robinson giving the unbelieving keeper no chance, Norwich tried to increase the pressure but the assured Nzonzi was slowing the game down well and it looked like Norwich would have to settle for a defeat, but the never say die attitude that served us so well last year struck again,in the 4th minute of stoppage time Blackburns best player Nzonzi was adjudged to have handled the ball under heavy pressure from Holt and Morison. I couldn't really tell if it was a pen or not but if i was a Blackburm fan or player i'd be fuming, Norwich's talisman Holt stepped up and beat Robinson even though he guessed the right way.

Overall a strange second half where Blackburn looked the better team for long periods, Nzonzi had an excellent game and was distraught at the end, a draw for the Canaries that feels like a win.

Norwich: (4-2-3-1) Ruddy; Naughton, Barnett, Russell Martin, Tierney; Fox (Crofts 75), Johnson; Bennett (Holt 68), Hoolahan, Pilkington (Jackson 75); Morison. 

Subs (not used): Rudd, Surman, Wilbraham, De Laet.

Goals: Morison 53, Johnson 82, Holt pen 90+3; Bookings: Bennett, Barnett

Blackburn: (4-4-1-1) Robinson; Lowe, Samba, Givet, Olsson; Rochina (Dunn 70), Nzonzi, Pedersen, Hoilett (Petrovic 82); Formica; Yakubu (Goodwillie 70). 

Subs (not used): Bunn, Vukcevic, Roberts, Hanley.

Goals: Hoilett 45+3, Yakubu 62, Samba 64; Booking: Lowe

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Greater Manchester)

Attendance: 26,440

Another excellent last minute goal to grab something out of nothing,great spirit and desire not to lose.

Pilkington and Bennett both did well especially first half.

Wes was at the heart of all the action,always wanting the ball and trying to make things happen.

Holt showed great bottle stepping up and finishing the penalty.

Wonder strike from Morison added to a great all round game.

2 sloppy goals conceded.

Even though we got a hard earned draw we got a little lucky,but you'd rather be lucky than not.

Nzonzi ran the show second half.

Having seen the replays for the hand ball it was never a Pen, but we've had three or four go against us already this season that were dodgy, wont make Blackburn fans feel any better!

Wes Hoolahan

Steven Nzonzi

match report by Darren Huckerby