The smile on Alex Neil’s face as he faced the cameras post-match told the story, as did the wide eyes and bulging veins as he reacted to Martin Olsson’s 93rd minute winner.
We’ve grown far too used to watching him unpick afternoons littered with heartbreak, disappointment and what ifs, and resort to more that a few of his signature “sorta” explanations. Yesterday he was spared all of that and the mix of joy and relief on his face was shared by everyone in the Canary nation.
He deserved his moment. So did the players. So did we.
The climax to 95 enthralling yet bum-squeaking minutes was right up there with the now legendary Simeon Jackson/Derby afternoon and if City go on to see the job through it too will be one to file away in the Canary annals. And the sight of clappers raining down in injury time was in stark contrast to their last Carrow Road outing.
For once the fine margins did break in City’s favour and, despite an improved second half from Newcastle, it would have been a travesty if they had emerged with a only a point or, even worse, none at all. Yet it could so easily have happened.
At 2-2 it would have taken either extreme bravery or madness – or both – to bet on a late City winner; less so plonking a few quid on a Mitrovic hat-trick.
But it was a day for trend-bucking and having endured that painful, late Adam Lallana heart-breaker back in late January, yesterday’s finale was payback time and was as glorious and thrilling as anything witnessed at Wembley ten and a bit months ago.
Late winners simply haven’t happened for us this season. Against us, yes, frequently, but the cruel twists of fate have invariably gone against us. But perhaps the tide has turned.
The ball did indeed touch the hand of Jonny Howson in the lead up to Olsson’s winner (twice apparently – thanks Alan) and however unintentional, and regardless of the technicalities of the rulebook, many a ref would have seen sufficient to blow for a free-kick.
Mike Dean, who is rapidly turning into a lucky charm for City in big games, saw fit to ignore it. Bless him.
And there was something fitting about the goal being scored by one whose influence on the mini-revival has almost gone unnoticed.
Olsson, since his return to the side for the draw with Man City, has been excellent and while not having the natural instincts in the attacking third of Robbie Brady he does possess instinctive defensive nous that the Irishman lacks.
In addition to the emergence of the commanding and composed figure of Timm Klose and the positive aura that has rubbed off on those around him, Olsson has offered solidity and reliability to the left side of a defence that has, for the most part, creaked.
His natural inclination to ‘tuck in’ when the ball is coming in from the opposite flank has helped immeasurably and in fairness is something that Russ and, yesterday, Andre Wisdom have also done successfully of late. All part of the reason why we are now that much more difficult to break down.
That England international Andros Townsend was a peripheral figure for the entire first-half was down to Olsson’s defensive surety and the protection offered to the Swede by Brady. The second-half saw Townsend influence the game to a greater degree but rarely was he allowed to go on the outside and only twice did he hurt us.
As a unit the Toon were a different proposition after the interval – it was inconceivable that they could be as ordinary as they were before the break – and the introduction Mitrovic certainly added an attacking presence that was simply not there before.
But, as alluded to by Alex in between the post-match smiles, the soft underbelly has gone and been replaced by a hardy resolve. And good old fashioned guts.
The response to Newcastle’s first equaliser was a prime example and as appropriate as it was that Olsson should be the hero it was equally fitting that, having endured a fortnight that most of us will thankfully be spared in a lifetime, Dieumerci Mbokani should make his mark on the afternoon.
His goal was stunning but it wasn’t just about the goal. He was simply too much for Messrs Taylor and Mbemba to handle, so much so that for a spell in the first-half they opted to not challenge him in the air, hoping against hope they could pick up the second ball.
The ball stuck to him back to goal, he offered an outlet to Klose and co if a long ball was the only option, he occasionally did a ‘Jerome’ in the channels, he linked cleverly with Steven Naismith and, crucially, he offered a constant goal threat – a part of his game that has not always been evident.
And he proved yesterday he has the heart of a lion.
The central midfield O’Neil/Howson combo continues to blossom and such is their exhaustive work-rate and desire they, for me, are morphing into a City version of the ‘Dogs of War‘ – just what’s needed when in the midst of a relegation battle.
When they need to dig in they do just that, when in possession of the ball they both use it wisely and efficiently and when a shield is needed in front of the centre-backs they provide one. Just what the manager ordered.
All in all it was one of the great days – the very reason we go – and to top it all the sights and sounds of the subs and absentees celebrating with the players on the pitch at the end added a little something extra and confirmed the true meaning of all being ‘in it together’.
If I were to be picky it would be that referee Dean didn’t see fit to celebrate Olsson’s winner in his usual manner, but perhaps he’s saving that for when (or if) safety is confirmed.
So, we’re on a roll, a tiny one for now, at the best possible time. The finishing line is still a way off but two wins on the bounce off the back of a draw with Man City strikes me as a team with momentum.
But whisper it quietly… and don’t tell Ray Wilkins.
Really good performance yesterday with Mbokani having his best day in a Norwich shirt showing guts, fight, strength and wonderful touch. Olsson, O’neil and Howson also fantastic and the whole team played with both head and heart. After the Swansea game I wrote that Swansea were very lucky to have a player of the quality of Williams and how many more points we would have got if we had a player like him. In Timm Klose we would appear to have the real deal, a player of genuine defensive class. I know Newcastle are not the strongest attacking side in the division but he oozes calmness and class – what a great signing and congratulations to all involved in getting him here, surely a captain in the making. One cup final down two more to go OTBC!!
We played with freedom which reminded me of last season’s ‘we wont get beat’ attitude. Sunderland, Newcastle under massive pressure where as it would appear Alex Neil has re-instilled the belief. Would agree about Klosse but also Naismith, he’s an intelligent footballer and takes up great positions causing defences plenty of problems. Great to see the camaraderie.Not sure the stress is good for an olden but what can you do!
Great article Gary. I especially like the praise given to Olsson since he came back. Like Howson, he’s one of those players who can easily be overlooked. Credit has rightly been given to Klose and Mbokani, but you could argue that the telling difference yesterday was Olsson. With Rafa struggling to fill his LB gap with midfielders, first Anita and then Sissoko, the solidity of our defence with round pegs in round holes made a huge difference. Wisdom played his part as well, quietly but effectively both defensively and supporting the attack down Newcastle’s left flank.
I think with full backs the temptation is to have your cake and eat it as with the Brady experiment. Full back is first a defensive position not attacking. The player who occupies that position should be a defensive specialist who is pretty handy going forward. I’m so glad we are playing Olsson again, after all, he’d done nothing wrong and has always been a consistent performer unlike others who have seemed immune from the chop, thinking of Bassong and Jerome.
If you look at the replay of Olsson’s goal I don’t think it does strike Howson’s arm. Looked at from behind the goal it strikes his torso in such a way that makes it look that it hit his arm.
Fantastic performance from the boys (and AN).
Cant disagree with anything thats been said, it always amazes me just what a confidence game football is and how fragile their ego’s or self belief must be.
If we hadnt wont at WBA, I just dont think we would have seen this sort of rip roaring approach and suspect a boring 0-0 or 1-1 would have been the outcome.
Thats not a criticism, its just an observation. In “real life” if we make a mistake or have a bad day at work we dont have 3 months of them, we just shut it out, learn from it and get on with it. Why cant footballers do that?
Anyhow onwards and upwards another three or four performances like this should see us safe and hopefully we can sort the rest of this defence out in the summer once and for all.
Wonder if klose has a brother.
Some excellent comments and for me, Saturday’s result has give n team optimism and confidence going forward. I’m pretty sure the Pardew and his team can’t be feeling the same, as although they sneaked a draw, it took a very questionable red card and some poor defending for them to get back into the game.
I think we owe a huge vote of thanks to the morons who held on to the ball at the end of the first half. Mike Dean stood in front of them, blatantly looking at his watch, so Robbie Brady knew he had the time once he got the ball to put a really good delivery in, whereas had they returned the ball promptly, he might have been concerned that time was running out, and rushed the free kick.
They might have been “95 bum-squeeking minutes” but Stephen Naismith had other parts of Janmatt’s anatomy in mind! The look on Janmatt’s face said it all! One of the best bit’s of “sledging” I’ve seen in a long time!