Newcastle vs Norwich - Match Report

Norwich City were hoping to secure their first win since opening day of the Barclays Premier League, while manager Chris Hughton highlighted (ahead of this match) what his team would need to do in order to put up a notable performance. Hughton said that his men needed to show more guile and more quality in front of goal.

Russell Martin replaced Grant Holt and wore the captain’s armband in the Norwich starting eleven. Demba Ba scored the opening goal of the match in the 19th minute, leaving a stunned Norwich City defence eyeing the referee’s assistant for the off-side flag. Norwich met opportunities to equalise with Wes Hoolahan being influential during moments since the start of the match. However, Newcastle would attack as well as they would defend, much to Norwich City’s dismay.

Steven Taylor and Mike Williamson were impressive in their defending.

On the other end, after 38 minutes on the clock, Ben Arfa made a promising run and show of skill, before he supplied Demba Ba with a beautiful pass on the attack. Ba was ultimately unlucky not to have done much with the ball meant for him. That may have had the appearance of a clear second goal for Newcastle, but not so much so as the penalty kick they were awarded. Papiss Cisse failed to convert the penalty in first-half injury time, as brickbats  were directed at the referee over why he had given the penalty decision.

Goalkeeper Steve Harper was tested early in the second half but denied Andrew Surman yet another chance to equalize. Newcastle held their nerve until the bitter end. They were consistent, considering their effort and emerged victorious with a clean sheet.

Demba Ba’s goal in the opening half secured the team’s three points.