Five-nil. I don’t think anyone was expecting such a score line whilst taking their seats at Carrow Road yesterday. Huddersfield, of course, were blighted by the sending off of Murray Wallace on seventeen minutes for a last-man challenge, scything down Cameron Jerome on the edge of the area with the Norwich striker through on goal. Jerome took the resulting free-kick and blazed it over the bar. However, now a precedent had been set: Norwich could not afford to lose this game. Against Huddersfield, a side languishing in the bottom half of the table, with ten men – it would have been disastrous if the result was anything other than collecting three points.
John Ruddy pulled off a tremendous save to deny Nahki Wells from twelve yards, with Russell Martin and Steven Whittaker acting like a comedy double act to allow the Huddersfield striker a run into the penalty area. Cameron Jerome missed an open goal, heading over the bar when it was easier to score, much to the shock of the Carrow Road faithful. His strike partner Gary Hooper then scuffed a chance from six yards, the ball getting stuck between his feet and he could not work it out. There was some unnecessary booing at half time; fans eager to see Norwich take the lead and not satisfied with remaining patient.
No one quite anticipated the lightening quick start Norwich made to the second half. Three goals in the first five minutes put the game beyond doubt, with substitute Nathan Redmond completely changing the game and carving open the Huddersfield defence at will. Adams got his starting line up wrong but rectified that mistake with the inclusion of Redmond for the second half, and City were in no mood to take any prisoners. Bradley Johnson capped a fine display with two goals, separated by a Nathan Redmond header. His first was a scrappy flick at the near post which squirmed its way past Alex Smithies in the Huddersfield goal, whilst his second came from the rebound of a Jonny Howson shot, Johnson powerfully heading home from the edge of the area. Cameron Jerome then made up for his earlier howler by heading in from Gary Hooper’s set-up, whilst substitute Lewis Grabban took a mere thirty seconds to get in on the act, a magical pass from Wes Hoolahan set the striker through and he smashed it into the near post and past Smithies.
There was a overwhelming sense of relief at the score line: Norwich could enjoy the last ten minutes with no concerns. The home side playing some beautiful football at times and Adams seems to be learning on the job, with Phelan as his mentor. Whatever Adams said at half-time evidentially worked and his tactical and personnel changes completely turned the game on its head, something he must take credit for. Everyone knew that something was not working with the Norwich side in the first half, yet it takes a brave man to change his side at half time, especially when playing against ten men. Adams, of course, will need to build on this and the perfect way to do so would be to avoid defeat at Derby next week. A point is acceptable; three is a dream.
