On May 2, 2011, five years ago today, Norwich City sealed back-to-back promotions to the Premier League against Portsmouth with the help of a Simeon Jackson goal, after a six-year spell away from the top flight.
In a matchday 16, where only four players remain with the Canaries (Ruddy, Rudd, Russell Martin and Wes Hoolahan), Paul Lambert lined up a side which he hoped would cement their second place finish and promotion to the Premier League, alongside QPR.
It was a highly anticipated game, with Cardiff failing to beat Middlesbrough in the 5.15pm kickoff earlier that day, leaving the Canaries only needing a point at Fratton Park in the 7.45pm kick-off to secure promotion to the Premier League, and for City, their fate was decided just after half time.
A David Fox cross from outside the box met with Simeon Jackson’s head in the 50th-minute, with a low close-range header enough to beat Pompey goalkeeper, Jamie Ashdown, meaning the Premier League to be tasted on the tip of their tongues and for absolute mayhem to follow just 40 patient minutes later.
Following the game, manager Paul Lambert called the back-to-back promotions a “miracle”, with the Scotsman remaining with the Canaries the following season before departing for Aston Villa.
At the time, he said:
It’s an absolute miracle what’s happened here. My team have been absolutely brilliant. They’re the ones who play the game. The fanbase also has been extraordinary.
And in case you’re wanting to relive that moment, here’s a snippet of that goal…
YouTube: Simeon Jackson v Portsmouth WHATA GOL CANADIAN EDITION
