Norwich City: 3 Season Highlights

With the 2015/16 season now entering its mouth-watering finale it feels like a suitable time to take a look back at the campaign that Norwich City have enjoyed, or rather endured (mostly), so far. I identify some of the rare moments of enjoyment, in City’s 3 biggest wins this season:

Manchester United 1-2 Norwich - 19th December 2015

Every Norwich City top-flight season brings with it a huge shock result or two. You think back to the victories over Manchester United in 2005, over Spurs, Arsenal and United again in 2012 and away at Man City in 2013 - games that have defined our seasons and been looked back upon for many years later. For 2015/16’s such game, Manchester United were the victims once more, as Cameron Jerome and an Alex Tettey toe-poke downed Louis Van Gaal’s men at the Theatre of Dreams. The result represented City’s first win in the red half of Manchester for over 26 years, while, prior to the game, United had conceded just one goal on home turf all season and were yet to taste defeat - that was until Alex Neil’s men, winless in four and lacking confidence, rocked up. A victory that, regardless of how the season pans out, is sure to be fondly remembered by City fans for years to come.

West Brom 0-1 Norwich - 19th March 2015

It is difficult to put into words how huge City’s latest victory was. Without a win in 10, seemingly firmly lodged within the relegation zone and totally bereft of confidence - a win at the Hawthorns, where West Brom hadn’t lost since the turn of the year, seemed unlikely. By 5pm last Saturday, however, City had earned their first (!) clean sheet away from home all season as a solitary Robbie Brady strike served to propel Norwich out of the relegation zone. Chorus upon chorus of “We are Staying Up!” greeted Alex Neil’s players as they acknowledged the traveling East-Anglian contingent upon the final whistle. As huge as the 3 points were, the most significant outcome of the victory is that it has given the supporters a renewed sense of belief. Thanks to Saturday’s win, City now go into a huge trio fixtures against Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Sunderland, full of confidence. If we do go on to survive, then there is no doubt that victory at the Hawthorns will be looked back upon as the defining turning point in our fortunes. Huge.

Sunderland 1-3 Norwich - 15th August 2015

For a newly promoted team, earning your first victory as quickly as possible is essential. The longer you wait for this first win, the greater the doubts increase over whether you are truly good enough for the top level. Thus, having suffered an unlucky and potentially confidence draining opening day home defeat to Crystal Palace, City’s 3-1 victory over Sunderland the following week was huge. Any lingering concerns that Norwich would be out of place in the Premier League were quickly extinguished as Alex Neil’s men put in what remains to be one of their best displays of the season. The fact that it was at the expense of a side that have transpired to be one of City’s main rivals for survival only makes the win all the more significant. Goals from Russell Martin, Stephen Whittaker and Nathan Redmond gave Norwich a dream 3-goal lead within the hour, while Duncan Watmore’s 88th minute strike for the Black Cats proved to be just a small blemish in an otherwise accomplished performance from the Canaries.