Norwich survive comeback

Norwich City survived a second-half fightback from Swansea City to record their first away victory of the season in the Premier League in a thrilling contest which extended their unbeaten run to nine games in the top flight.

Last Updated: 10/12/12 at 10:31 Post Comment

Grant Holt: On target at the end of a dream first half for Norwich

Grant Holt: On target at the end of a dream first half for Norwich

The successful spell for Norwich also sees them go 10 matches unbeaten in all competitions and it is a remarkable statistic for a team who had been tipped for relegation at the beginning of the campaign.

It was a dream first half for Chris Hughton's visitors as they took a three-goal lead through Steven Whittaker's solo effort and headers from Sebastien Bassong, his third goal in four games, and Grant Holt.

Michael Laudrup's Swansea, though, emerged a team with intent following half-time and scored twice before the hour mark through Michu and Jonathan de Guzman to set up a dramatic final half-an-hour in Wales.

But Norwich could breathe a little easier when the excellent Robert Snodgrass curled in a fine free-kick to mean Michu's injury-time header gave Swansea only a small reason to cheer before the final whistle.

The Canaries took a deserved lead in the 16th minute, when Snodgrass laid the ball off to Whittaker and the ex-Rangers man was allowed to run before cutting in and firing low past Gerhard Tremmel for his first Norwich goal.

Swansea had been building momentum but they were stopped in their tracks as Bassong met Holt's 40th minute cross to make it 2-0.

And just two minutes later, it was 3-0, with Snodgrass' perfectly delivered free-kick picking out an unmarked Holt, who easily steered his header beyond Tremmel to cap a superb first half for the Canaries.

Michu gave Swansea a route back into the game as he slotted into the far corner from Davies' low ball across the box in the 51st minute.

And Norwich's nerves only increased as Swansea got back within a goal on 59 minutes, when Nathan Dyer outpaced Javier Garrido down the flank and, when his cross was not cleared, De Guzman volleyed in.

Substitute Itay Shechter had the ball in the net soon after as Mark Bunn failed to hold the ball under pressure from Michu but referee Howard Webb ruled the Spaniard had fouled the goalkeeper.

Swansea's hopes were then over when Snodgrass stepped up to curl home a beautiful strike from a 77th minute free-kick, meaning Michu's second in injury time was not enough.


Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

More Match Results

Sunday, 19 May 2013
16:00
Chelsea 2-1 Everton Report
Liverpool 1-0 QPR Report
Man City 2-3 Norwich Report
Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal Report
Southampton 1-1 Stoke City Report
Swansea 0-3 Fulham Report
Tottenham 1-0 Sunderland Report
West Brom 5-5 Man Utd Report
West Ham 4-2 Reading Report
Wigan 2-2 A Villa Report

Barclays Premier League

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Man Utd 38 43 89
2 Man City 38 32 78
3 Chelsea 38 36 75
4 Arsenal 38 35 73
5 Tottenham 38 20 72
6 Everton 38 15 63
7 Liverpool 38 28 61
8 West Brom 38 -4 49
9 Swansea 38 -4 46
10 West Ham 38 -8 46
11 Norwich 38 -17 44
12 Fulham 38 -10 43
13 Stoke City 38 -11 42
14 Southampton 38 -11 41
15 A Villa 38 -22 41
16 Newcastle 38 -23 41
17 Sunderland 38 -13 39
18 Wigan 38 -26 36
19 Reading 38 -30 28
20 QPR 38 -30 25

Updated Sun, 19 May 2013

Footer 365

Manchester City fight back from three goals down to beat Chelsea 4-3

Manchester City fought back from 3-0 down to beat Chelsea 4-3 in a thrilling friendly at Busch Stadium in St Louis.

Begovic hints at Liverpool move

Asmir Begovic has hinted he will be joining Liverpool after the Stoke goalkeeper was quoted saying he was preparing for pre-season at Melwood.

Nzonzi submits transfer request

Stoke midfielder Steven Nzonzi has handed in a transfer request just two days after manager Tony Pulis left the club.

Mail Box

More Scared Of Losing AVB Than Bale...

We thought we would have to resort to another mailbox about maths but we've had some grand opinions about Man United, Newcastle, Tottenham and more. Oh and maths...

An Ode To Rafa And Loads More Mails...

We have one Chelsea fan who recognises the job done by Rafa Benitez while there's maths from Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester. And Shawcross to Arsenal? Nah...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved