If just one thing is to be taken from a 4-0 victory against struggling Blackpool, it should be that the importance of midfield maestro Jonny Howson cannot be overstated. The ex-Leeds captain showed why many regard him as the heir to the Hoolahan throne, dictating the tempo and elegantly tearing the Seasiders’ defence to shreds. Alongside him in the middle of the park, Bradley Johnson helped to break up any loose and occasional attack from the visitors, with those two pivotal to the building of forward movement. Hat-trick hero Gary Hooper showed just how clinical he can be in front of goal, and Nathan Redmond capped it all with a stunning free kick right at the death. Alex Neil said post-match that you have to “give credit when they deserve it” and it is hard to disagree – how can anyone possibly darken a clean sheet, four goals and a professional performance?
The first twenty minutes was a blitz, easing any nerves and basically securing the three points. Hooper got his first before ten minutes had passed after an exquisite through-ball from that man Howson, but it was the second goal that deserves all the headlines. A terrific team goal, culminating in Hoolahan and Hooper playing neat one-twos in the Blackpool area before the latter rifled the ball into the back of the net to doubled the Canaries’ advantage; the Englishman recapturing his scoring form in recent times is pleasing to see, especially with his partner Cameron Jerome nursing an injury. With Blackpool never threatening and their striker Steven Davies doing his best to quell any chance of a Seasiders fightback with consistent fouling and always being offside, there was never any need for City to get out of second gear after that.
Lewis Grabban had a chance that should have been taken after a delightful – yet possibly too fast – cross from Howson, but the once-prolific striker could not caress the ball home from six yards, instead finding the upper rows of the lower Barclay. One slight hindrance was an injury sustained by Seb Bassong midway through the first half, seemingly suffering from a bad landing and a “back spasm”, Alex Neil later describing in his post-match comments. Hopefully the Cameroonian will not be out for long, with an away trip to Charlton on Tuesday and a crunch tie against Wolves next Saturday. His replacement Michael Turner, however, did not put a foot wrong in his seventy-odd minutes.
The second half was flat, yet completely controlled by the home side. John Ruddy only had to make two saves the entire match, yet the Norwich goal was never under any threat. Such was the extent of the domination, Blackpool fans celebrated like they had just scored when they were awarded a corner. Grabban won a penalty after some neat footwork in the box, giving Hooper the chance to complete his hat-trick – a chance that he did not pass up, comfortably sending the ball into the empty side of Ell Parish’s goal. New signing Tony Andreu received a warm welcome after replacing Wes Hoolahan, and the Frenchman showed some intricate touches to set up chances for Jerome and Redmond, even having a few shots himself but they lacked any real power and he could not open his Norwich account on his début.
Late on, an absolutely spellbinding free-kick from Nathan Redmond sealed a pleasing victory as he smashed one in from all of thirty yards. The youngster certainly enjoyed that one, and myself and Jack Reeve spotted him – big bottle of champagne in hand – walking out of Carrow Road and congratulated him. Also one to deserve praise was defender Steven Whittaker, who has bounced back well after his horror show in central midfield against Brentford to prove his worth to the club in his natural position at right back. Two clean sheets in a row is nothing to be sniffed at – especially considering the defensive frailties that Norwich were fraught with under Neil Adams – and shows a good building block that Alex Neil had put down already. Three points, clean sheet, Ipswich lost – what more could you ask for?
