It was the most wonderful sounding goal of the season—Bradley Johnson’s header to give Norwich the lead in the first half of an Easter Monday clash with Sheffield Wednesday. After the highlight circulated around social media, it depicted a much different image. It wasn’t beautiful or mesmerizing—but rather, it was efficient and enough for the Canaries to climb into an automatic promotion spot. Here’s five things learnt from the 2-0 result…
Top of the League
…at least momentarily. It was City’s first time leading the Championship in six months. Perhaps what was more astonishing was the constant rotation of clubs leading the table, all in the span of approximately two hours. From Middlebrough to Watford to Norwich to Bournemouth, the fixture list on Monday reaffirmed any argument supporting the claim that England’s second-tier has the most competitive promotion race in Europe. At full time, the Canaries slipped into second-place, one point off the top and a two-goal difference away from Watford below. E I E I E I O!
There’s only one Alex Neil
Poor Hamilton. A club fresh of promotion has tumbled down the Scottish first-division after Alex Neil’s departure. As for Norwich, the 33-year-old has become the English Championship’s premier manager, mustering an ‘underdog upset’ an hour into his first match with City. When the 10-man Canaries beat Bournemouth 2-1, it produced a glimmer of hope that the club may climb back into a playoff spot—but not an automatic place. As of Monday evening, Norwich are one point away of surpassing the Cherries with five matches remaining. Incredible.
Speaking of incredible…
Bradley Johnson. Three goals in two matches that gave his team six points. But that spell has also come with a consequence—a two-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards. There’s no point discussing the ‘avoidable’ booking. Optimistically thinking, this was the best time in the remaining fixtures for the midfielder to fulfill the suspension. He’ll miss away matches at Bolton and his old club, Leeds. BUT – he’ll be back in time for Middlesbrough on 17 April. In the interim, Norwich are full strength in the midfield and should be capable of producing points.
Breaking barriers
Under Neil, the Canaries have gone from fearing their next opponent to making that opponent fear them. Wednesday has shown throughout the campaign that it was a side that will dig in and force teams to attack. City came out and did just that, forcing corner after corner—even Steven Whittaker was in the mix and had goal-scoring chances. Of course, the aggression on one end of the pitch can quickly falter with a counter attack, which Wednesday had a few attempts at. Yet John Ruddy’s net remained unscathed, allowing a lone goal in the past three matches.
The Resurrection
“Alex Neil performs an Easter Miracle and resurrects Becchio from the Colney tomb.” – Liam Weaver.
Clearly it’s a joke, but it’s a light-hearted one that seemed nonexistent months ago. A mere 366 days after his last City appearance, forward Luciano Becchio was a potential substitute. Ultimately he didn’t play, but it provides two observations. One: Neil has seen something in the man he deemed unfit to make his squad this season. Two: Norwich have completely overlooked the Argentine when debating the attacking arsenal. Apparently he’s an option now, too.
