The expression on Martin Olsson’s face was almost incredulous. His first goal of the season could not have been struck more crisply, nor at a better time – right at the end of an incredibly dramatic contest that was full of action and laden with consequences for both teams. The left-back’s stoppage-time winner triggered an eruption of joy all over Carrow Road. Except in the away end and dugout, where Newcastle fans and staff were again confronted by their worst fears.
While Norwich City emerged with renewed confidence in their ability to stay in the Premier League, Newcastle United and Rafael Benítez find themselves in a deeper hole. This defeat came on a day when all four teams directly above them picked up points, leaving the north-east club six points from the team in 17th place – Norwich. What makes that position all the harder for them to bear is the knowledge that they could have closed the gap on Alex Neil’s side if not for familiar sloppiness.
Perhaps Benítez must bear some blame too. He chose to leave Aleksandar Mitrovic on the bench and give Papiss Cissé a first Premier League start since December. The move backfired, as the Senegalese was guilty of an egregious miss before Mitrovic was introduced just after the hour and helped transform Newcastle so much that for a while they looked the more likely victors. Mitrovic equalised twice, the second time from a contentious penalty in the 84th minute. Yet Newcastle still contrived to lose away for the eighth time in a row. All roads lead to the Championship with form like that.
Both managers had been forced to make alterations to the lineups here, partly by injuries and partly by alarming performances. But Norwich knew that Newcastle needed the win more urgently and began as if daring the visitors to come at them full tilt. But Benítez, aware of how scatty this team can be, had apparently been preaching composure and Newcastle seemed more intent on respecting their team shape than unhinging their opponents. It is one thing being patient but if everyone is waiting for someone else to do something, then nothing gets done. The only Newcastle player that regularly took initiatives in the first half was Andros Townsend but he lacked the accuracy to make good on bold intentions. The Norwich goalkeeper, John Ruddy, did not have to dirty his gloves in the first period.
Once Norwich realised their opponents did not carry much threat, they put down their shields and brandished their arms. Karl Darlow, the inexperienced goalkeeper whom the home crowd attempted to spook with taunts throughout the first half, kept them at bay with a fine save from a close-range shot by Dieumerci Mbokani in the 33rd minute. As half-time approached Norwich must have been regretting their failure to convert pressure into a lead, but that concern vanished just before the break. After Cheik Tioté committed his umpteenth needless foul, Robbie Brady delivered an in-swinging free-kick and Timm Klose, having shaken off a negligent marker, nodded the ball into net from eight yards.
Benítez had spent most of the first half gesticulating to his players from the sidelines. It was not obvious that they knew the meaning of their manager’s signals. At half-time he had a chance to deliver his message more clearly, and also to replace Tioté, a red card waiting to happen, with Ayoze Pérez. Five minutes after the resumption, the manager’s feelings were plain for everyone to see: he, like Newcastle’s players and fans, was aghast when Cissé shanked the ball wide from five yards after John Ruddy spilled a long shot by Townsend.
But Newcastle, in general, were looking more dangerous. Townsend, in particular, raised his performance and began tearing holes in the home defence with jagged runs. On the hour, Benítez withdrew the makeshift left-back Vurnon Anita and threw on Mitrovic. The Serb’s aerial strength troubled the hosts. It was no surprise when, in the 71st minute, he headed a cross by Townsend into the net. Now the momentum seemed to be with the visitors. But, as so often, Newcastle had flattered to deceive: within three minutes they were behind again.
Panicky defending prevented Newcastle from making a proper clearance after a renewed Norwich attack, and Mbokani collected the ball wide on the left before walloping a shot past Darlow and high into the net.
The game hurtled from one end to the other. Newcastle catapulted crosses towards Mitrovic. But Norwich appeared set to hold on – until four minutes from time, when the ball hit Gary O’Neill’s arm as Pérez tried to flip it past him, and the referee, Mike Dean, awarded a penalty. Mitrovic kept cool and converted.
Norwich seemed to be clinging on for just a point as Newcastle stormed forward for the win. Cissé almost atoned for his earlier miss by redirecting a Mitrovic header towards goal, but Ruddy foiled him with a full-length save. Then Olsson joined in one last Norwich attack, firing a superb shot into the net and Newcastle into deep trouble.
