With five days until the Premier League kicks off, Read Norwich thought it’d be a good idea to bring you the top five Norwich City moments the last time the Canaries were in the top flight.
No. 5 – Tottenham v Norwich (1-2), 9 April 2012
Sadly for Elliot Bennett, his time in Norfolk has been filled with highs and lows consistently plaguing his career. Hopefully the midfielder/right-back gets his opportunity to shine in 2015/16. But this 66th minute goal at White Hart Line might be his best moment in yellow—or green—to date. A nice buildup preceded Bennett’s lovely strike past Brad Friedel—a crushing blow for Spurs in their fight for Champions League football. For Norwich, the win guided the Canaries up to 10th in the table.
No. 4 – Arsenal v Norwich (3-3), 5 May 2012
Yes, City didn’t win. And for a few fans, this ranking might be a bit high. Moreover, the 3-3 match at the Emirates embodied Norwich’s first season back in the Premier League. Going a goal down, the Canaries fired back from two lucky goals from Wes Hoolahan and Grant Holt—both came with Arsenal assistance. That second goal from Holt perfectly depicted how deadly a counter attack under manager Paul Lambert could be. Of course the home side fired back two goals to take the lead, but it was Steve Morrison’s one-time hit at the back post in the 85th minute that sent Norwich home with a point from the capital. Win, draw or loss, this was easily one of the most exciting matches of City’s time in the top flight.
No. 3 – Norwich v Manchester United (1-0), 17 November 2012
It was one of the most memorable goals Norwich scored in the Premier League. A driven ball from the outside from left-back Javier Garrido found midfielder Anthony Pilkington, who headed the ball back post, thrusting the Canaries to their only win over United the last time up. The eventual Premier League champions had been defeated.
No. 2 – Manchester City v Norwich (2-3), 19 May 2013
For a lot of Canary fans, this was probably the top moment. But I list it at two solely because the match prior sealed promotion. Plus, Manchester City had lost the league title to United and didn’t have much to play for. But it was a thrilling season finale, with Pilkington slotting the ball past Joe Hart to begin the shootout. Following a Jack Rodwell equaliser three minutes later, Grant Holt scored his last goal for the Yellows in the 54th minute. His celebration was simple—his back turned to the crowd with him pointing to his name. It was the perfect goodbye. And then Rodwell scored, again. So it was Jonny Howson’s slithering run in the 65th minute from midfield that put Norwich in front for the third and final time. Naturally, City saved the best for last in the 2012/13 season.
No. 1 – Norwich v West Brom (4-0), 12 May 2013
The 4-0 thumping was Norwich’s biggest win in the three seasons in the Premier League. But it was also the most important. On a day when City could seal survival, the Canaries responded with a blistering outing up front. Robert Snodgrass got rout started in the first half, yet City didn’t pull away until an hour into the match when West Brom nightmares came true. After a miss communication between a defender and the keeper, Grant Holt was able to stroll into the goalmouth in the 62nd minute, sending Norwich into a two-goal lead. In the 65th minute a Gareth McAuley own goal put City up 3-0, turning the remainder of the match into a survival bash. Jonny Howson’s stunner to make it 4-0 made it all the better. It marked another year in the Premier League. And set the tone for City’s 2-3 win at the Ethiad the following Sunday.
Agree? Disagree? Let’s hear it. Tell us your thoughts on Norwich’s best moments in the Premier League.
