Wednesday’s mishap against Wigan proved that when Norwich aren’t on their game, they’re not very good. To avoid further embarrassment to another team at the wrong end of the table they would have to overcome the treat of Millwall, away at The Den. A place and a set of fans who are tarnished with a reputation for being nasty. Travelling supporters are separated immediately after stepping off the platform for their own safety. In similar fashion, the walk to the away end is a narrow path enclosed by pointed steel fences on either side, as well as a green mesh netting which has many a time stopped missiles being thrown from the vantage point of South Bermondsey train station. But the game which was played on Saturday afternoon was witnessed by a meagre 11,000, with 3000 being away fans, and the the majority of home fans sitting quietly anyway. Hardly a force to fear.
For much of the first half, the game was devoid of quality. City struggled to get ahold of possession, and while Millwall’s lack of ability was evident, they were managing to match the visitors in both graft and guile. Bradley Johnson was one of many trying, and ultimately failing, to create a clear cut chance; his exquisite ball required pace, but such pace made it difficult for Jerome to control as he raced through on goal – unfortunately the opportunity evaporated. Nitty gritty fouls here and there disrupted the flow of the match, and the stop-gap partnership of Martin and Cuellar (which had been forced upon Alex Neil due to Bassong picking up an injury) looked nervy. This could not be more apparent than when Cuellar recklessly hacked down Millwall’s Ricardo Fuller, to which he received a yellow card.
Following a corner which was conceded and then defended by ex-Norwich loanee Jos Hooiveld, Hooper shot from a tight angle, but the effort was well saved. The breakthrough came on 38 minutes when Howson charged forward in classic fashion, and with help from the two strikers ahead of him whose runs created the space, he unleashed a lethal left footed effort which crisply crashed into the net.
Before the celebrations of that goal had died down, City were in search of a second. Dorrans’ shot was well saved but Alan Dunne was laborious in his attempted clearance, and thus allowed Jerome to nip in, meaning the swing of the Millwall man’s leg crunched into Jerome and not the ball; penalty rightfully awarded. Hooper to take, Hooper to score; 2-0 and suddenly things were far more comfortable.
Norwich came out after the break even more fired up, and there was only one team in it. Jerome came close early on after Olsson’s cross expertly found him, but such was the nature of the trajectory, the striker was required to generate a lot of power to score. Within 10 minutes, City did make it 3. Hoolahan dropped the shoulder to go past one defender, before firing towards the far post. All that was left to do was to knee slide in front of the away fans, who in return loudly sang his famous song. Millwall were shot to pieces and Norwich were given as much space on the pitch as that left by all those home fans who hadn’t turned up – and that’s saying something. It suddenly got much worse when Cameron Jerome infiltrated their box, drawing out the ‘keeper, before coolly squaring to the six yard box where both Hooper and Howson were lurking. The latter took the chance very competently, and Norwich were absolutely walking this second half. Minutes later Dorrans hit the inside of the post after some fabulous interplay between Hooper and Hoolahan; had that strike hit the target I think we’d have been in for six or seven.
Millwall simply could not deal with the quality, nor did they have the motivation to pick themselves up. Jerome later rounded the keeper who had come some way out of his goal, but his shot was well cleared off the line. Unfortunate for Jerome whose work rate throughout the afternoon had warranted him a goal.
Before Norwich could be announced as victors they gave away a penalty. Diego Fabbrini’s wonderful piece of skill deceived Russell Martin and Gary O’Neil was forced into making a tackle which he ultimately failed to make. Gregory mirrored Hooper’s composure from the spot, but his goal would have far less importance.
Three points to City meaning they are just one off the top, yet remarkably fifth – that’s just testament to how highly contested this division is. For Millwall it’s another Den-t in their survival hopes (sorry, I just couldn’t help myself).
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[statsfc-player-rater key=”n3hIsXGmdJ6AnSMKzUo6i09cnqzZIPNpYYb7QNmF” team=”Norwich” date=”2015-03-07″]
