With preseason now underway, we can start to get excited for the Premier League. I’ve picked out my top ten goals from our previous three-year stint in the top flight. Some truly memorable goals; long may there be more next season.
10. Steven Whittaker vs Swansea City
It’s December 2012, and Norwich are on an eight-game unbeaten run having dispatched Arsenal and Manchester United along the way. A trip to the south coast of Wales, to Swansea, could potentially disrupt their flow, but having beaten the Welsh side on the last two occasions, City are confident. Form oozes through the side, so when ex-Rangers right-back Steven Whittaker races forward, there’s only one place he’s heading. A crisp pass into compatriot Robert Snodgrass is met with a controlled back heel that falls satisfyingly into Whittaker’s path. His direct run takes him to the edge of the box, where he showcases his competent weak-foot ability, cutting inside, firing hard, low and into Tremmel’s near post.
9. Robert Snodgrass vs West Ham
Pressure had been mounting on Chris Hughton, whose side were in the relegation zone when 16th-placed West Ham visited Carrow Road. Hughton was in desperate need of a win – in fact, a good performance too – after being outclassed and embarrassed 7-0 (yes, seven) away to Manchester City. Fans were calling for his head, but just as he managed on so many occasions at Carrow Road, he found an all-important win.
City were behind in this game due to Ravel Morrison’s early strike, but Hooper’s second-half penalty turned the game on its head. At 1-1, the three points were up for grabs; step up Robert Snodgrass. A packed Carrow Road bore witness to an outstanding free-kick, curled up and over the Hammers’ wall, leaving goalkeeper Jääskeläinen helpless.
8. Steve Morison vs Blackburn
Junior Hoillet opened the scoring deep into first-half stoppage time with an incredible strike, but Steve Morison took the limelight away from him with an equally impressive shot. The ball sat up welcomingly for Morison, who composed himself, balanced himself and found the connection. What a connection! As soon as it left his foot it was destined for the top corner.
7. Grant Holt vs Liverpool
October 2011. Norwich travelled to Anfield expecting to leave with the same fate they were dealt at Stamford Bridge a couple of months earlier. However, a positive, never-say-die attitude meant City got something out of the game. It was in fact ex-Norwich player Craig Bellamy who found the breakthrough in a game that had been otherwise equal. A slightly scrappy finish, bouncing up underneath John Ruddy meant Liverpool were ahead at half-time. Norwich huffed and puffed and blew Liverpool smiles away when Pilkington delivered the most delicious of crosses. The ball curled into the danger area; the death zone; no man’s land. The void between defender and goalkeeper. Grant Holt lives in that void. He commences battle in that void, and did just so as Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson tried to deny him. He beat both of them, and goalkeeper Pep Reina, none of which had the nerve to challenge him in the air. Holt met the ball with a great big thumb. Whack. Boom. Back of the net.
Thank you very much, Grant Holt says as he slides in front of the Kop.
6. Anthony Pilkington vs Manchester United
This goal was a combination of Javier Garrido and Anthony Pilkington’s finest moments for the club. A flowing move came as far as Garrido who with his first touch, delivered the ball into the box in an inviting fashion. Pilkington – known more for his crossing than his heading abilities – met the ball with the deftest of touches, like a smooth aeroplane landing as the wheels kiss the runway. The ball glanced from his forehead, past Lindegaard and in. Carrow Road erupted, and City went on to record only their second win in fifteen league matches. Certainly a memorable goal.
5. Andrew Surman vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
We often categorise ‘great’ goals into two groups: unbelievable individual efforts, and impressive collective moves. This goal, on a cold wet December night in Wolverhampton is very much a case of the latter.
Outfitted in the classy green and white away strip (with Wolves being the only clear kit clasher), Norwich looked to take the advantage early on. With David Fox in the midfield, Norwich were formidable. His passing was on form and with runners aplenty City quickly undid Wolves. Some nice interplay in midfield led to a ball being played over the top, where Morison cleverly left it in fear of being offside. Hoolahan latched on, crossed from the left and found the onrushing Andrew Surman. The timing of his header was immaculate, rounding off a flowing, passing move that had been worked from back to front seamlessly.
4. Jonathan Howson vs Manchester City
Johnny Howson. The man who made Micah Richards look about as able as a beetle on its back. With no clear options when he picked up the ball, the ex-Leeds midfielder raced ambitiously forward. Before any City players really clocked the amount of space he had, it was too late. Howson was in full flow, and nothing would stop him. He waltzed past Nasri. Walked past Toure. Danced past Lescott before bulldozing his way through Richards. All that was needed was the finish; Howson had that up his sleeve too. The only reason this isn’t higher up the list is the fact it was the last day of the season. We were safe – City had nothing to play for, and it showed in their team selection/performance.
3. Elliott Bennett vs Tottenham Hotspur
The only thing left for Paul Lambert and Norwich City to accomplish in their inaugural year back in the Premier League was to beat a big team – an upset. Depending on whether you class Tottenham as a big team may have some influence on this, but at the time City had to put up with the threat of the increasingly dangerous Gareth Bale, among others. Tottenham were also pushing for Champions League – an ambition that this win hindered significantly. No one expected anything from City at White Hart Lane, but Elliott Bennett certainly offered something. He picked the ball up, 30 yards from goal, took several paces forward, before unleashing a venomous strike. It bent out and in before hitting the net in the far corner, sealing a famous win over the North London side.
2. Gary Hooper vs Swansea City
Hooper enjoyed a hot patch of form during City’s last Premier League season, outshining his fellow strike partners. Despite his work-rate not always being the best, and the fact he failed to sustain any lasting form, he did leave his mark in Norwich City colours. His goal vs Swansea in December showed Norfolk, and the world, what he’s capable of.
A long punt forward from Steven Whittaker was calmly chested down by Johan Elmander. Hooper was lurking. His first touch allowed the ball to bounce up into the perfect position to shoot. Oh boy, did he shoot. He swiped from right to left on the under side of the ball, making it spin and swirl and curve and dip. It was a lethal combination and the Swansea ‘keeper could not keep it out, even though it was fairly central.
1. Alexander Tettey vs Sunderland
In a season of darkness, this was one of the few moments of respite. Norwich were in trouble; this would prove to be their final win before relegation. Tettey’s one-in-a-thousand strike goes down as one of the greatest Norwich City goals, and perhaps earned Hughton just enough managerial time for the damage to be fatal.
Tettey could not have hit the ball better as it dropped out of the air after John O’Shea’s clearance. The low trajectory meant all the power was converted directly into the shot. It cannoned off his foot, and no sooner had he hit it was it in the net. A special, special goal. Unfortunately the subsequent chorus of clappers is belied the quality of the goal.
Well that’s my top ten. Let me know if you would have done it differently in the comments below.
