Match Review 2011 - 2012

High flying Newcastle were the visitors to Carrow Road this afternoon all be it with an injury crisis on their hands, both first choice central defenders out with Taylor being out for the rest of the season. Newcastle effectively started the game with 4 full backs playing in defence,they still had danger man Ba upfront. Norwich also made changes bringing in Fox, Hoolahan, Holt and Whitbread was back from injury. Norwich were looking to get over last weeks heavy defeat from league League leaders Man City.

Newcastle started the game the brighter in the first 10 minutes looking good in possession and making Ruddy make a couple of routine saves, Norwich were probably a little more direct than usual and it looked a miss match with Holt and Morison looking to dominate the make shift Newcastle centre backs. Holt made a good chance for himself on 18 minutes, he managed to out muscle Perch and make his way into the box, he shot with the outside of his right foot and only an excellent last minute block from Simpson stopped the ball going into the far corner. On 23 minutes Gosling should have done a lot  better with his volley but only managed to hit his shot wide from 10 yards out. 3 minutes later Norwich had a penalty appeal turned down, it clearly hit Santon's arm but the ref didn't even consider it. Norwich were slightly on top 30 minutes in without really creating any clear cut chances, Ruddy had to be on alert after Cabaye's deflected shot nearly looped in over him but he managed to swat it away. On 38 minutes Norwich took the lead even though the corner which it came from was debatable, it didn't look like Krul took the ball out of play but the ref made a decision that would anger the Newcastle players and lead to the first goal, Surman swing out a corner Croft's met it with a header, it was blocked on the line but the rebound hit Wes and went in. Newcastle hit back in injury time, a great lofted ball from Cabaye found the excellent run of Ba, who with 5/6 yards of space slotted past Ruddy with ease.

Overall, a good first half for Norwich even though the equaliser was a bit of a blow, we were the better team first half and Holt and Morison won virtually every header against Perch and Simpson.

Newcastle nearly made the perfect start to the second half, Ba again unlucky when his shot from the far post hit the top of the bar. On 59 minutes Norwich again took the deserved lead, Fox played a one-two with Hoolahan from a short corner, his cross was met by Holt who's first effort was saved but Holt again reacted quickest to head in from 7 yards out. 4 minutes later Norwich went 3-1 up, Morison scoring a superb header from a Croft's cross. Things got even worse for Newcastle when Gosling was sent off for a reckless challenge on Russell Martin, the ref had no choice but to send him off. 10 man Newcastle then pulled a goal back, Zak Whitbread was caught in possession by Ameobi who picked out Ba, he skipped past Martin before curling past Ruddy with his left foot. In a game where Newcastle looked dead and buried, they probably had their best little spell of the game but Norwich finally put the nail in the coffin with 8 minutes to go, Bradley Johnson's free kick was expertly headed in by Holt, the Newcastle defending left a lot to be desired.

Overall a game Norwich deserved to win,apart from the dangerous Ba we contained them without to much trouble, apart from a 10 minutes spell after the sending off we controlled the game.

Holt and Morison had the beating of their opponents from the start of the game, they just couldn't cope with the power and presence of the forwards.

Lambert tactically perfect again with his starting line up and formation.

Scored 4 goals from set pieces, it's a massive advantage if your dangerous for dead balls (just ask Stoke).

Mixed our game up well, going direct when we needed to but also keeping it well.

Fox when playing well is the heartbeat of the team, had a great game.

Naughton kept Gutierrez relatively quiet and the poor Obertan didn't look interested half the time.

Again used a different formation and adapted very well to it.

Newcastle will moan about the injuries, while they have a good point ,Norwich have had a fair few defenders injured already this season.

Conceded 2 goals, Zak obviously made a mistake but apart from that thought he did really well in his first game back from injury.

David fox

David Fox

Match report by Darren Huckerby