All of Norfolk has rejoiced as Jonny Howson has just signed a new four-year contract
at Carrow Road. The 27-year-old midfield general has put pen to paper. He’s
been a vital part of Norwich’s successes since signing for us in January of
2012. With 14 goals in a yellow shirt – nine of them coming last season – he has certainly had an impact.
Here are Jonny Howson’s top five moments at Norwich City.
5. Strike at Stoke
In dire need of a win after two defeats on the
bounce, Norwich were locked in a cagey 0-0 affair at Stoke. Anthony Pilkington
headed down a pass to Howson. Just as he did against West Brom, he took one
touch and powered it into the net. It turned out to be the only goal of the
game, and secured a vital three points away from home.
4. In The Build Up
No he did not score or assist it, but the 17-pass team move that resulted in our second
goal at Wembley had a large part to do with Jonny Howson. Of those 17 passes,
Jonny Howson made four of them. His positioning was great. He sprayed the ball
out wide to Bradley Johnson that got the surge towards the goal forward. Two
passes later he had the ball again, and he made the most of it by finding
Whittaker down the right wing. He played it inside to Redmond, who scored. This
was definitely a team move, but Howson had more passes than any other player
during that memorable sequence.
3. Scorching Run Against City
With survival secured the week before against West Brom, the Canaries travelled to
the Etihad Stadium to finish up the 2012-13 campaign. A thrilling encounter
ensued, with Howson scoring the winner in a 3-2 triumph. With the score level
at 2-2, Howson got the ball just inside his own half. He then just decided to
take on the entire Man City defence. He scooted past one player, outpaced Yaya
Toure, took care of Samir Nasri, dispatched an oncoming Micah Richards, before
sliding the ball beyond Joe Hart. It was the last goal of the 2012-13 season – a
fitting way to finish.
2. Survival Securing Screamer
In a game that Norwich had to win to avoid any final day nerves in the relegation race,
the team stepped up big time. None more so then Jonny Howson. After putting in
a commanding performance in the midfield all day, the Canaries found themselves
3-0 up. In the 90th minute, Howson played a short pass up to Luciano Becchio
who was lurking on the edge of the penalty area. Becchio played a back heel
pass back to Howson, who took one touch and then smashed it into the top corner.
It put the exclamation point on an amazing day at Carrow Road, and set up what
would follow the next week.
1. Derby Day Delight
There can only be one moment to go into the number one slot. It was Howson’s goal against
Ipswich in the first leg of the Championship playoff semi-final. Cameron Jerome
charged down the left wing, beat Tommy Smith, then whipped a low cross into the
penalty area. Howson met the low ball just behind the penalty spot, and put the
chance away into the bottom corner. The goal gave us something to take back to
Carrow Road, and the rest is history.
Those are my five favorite Jonny Howson moments, what are yours? Leave a comment below with
your favorite Jonny Howson moments. Who knows, maybe we will see another
screamer from number eight against Crystal Palace this weekend.
