As Norwich City travel to the Etihad Stadium for their final game of the season on Sunday (4pm KO), we’ve taken a look back at one of the more memorable wins over the Cityzens.
Coincidentally, this away win also came on the last matchday of the season, so what better fixture to pick for our ‘Memorable Match’ than this one?
Manchester City 2-3 Norwich City
19 May, 2013
Premier League
Etihad Stadium
What was on the line?
For both teams, very little. Manchester City were already certain to finish second in the league, as Manchester United sat ten points ahead and Chelsea sat three points behind. However, having just sacked Roberto Mancini, a win would’ve seen the season finish on a high.
For the Canaries, there wasn’t too much tension either. Already certain to be playing Premier League football in the next season, this win was purely for securing the best possible finish in the table.
How the game unfolded
The Canaries took the lead as early as the 26th minute, after a few scuffles on the ball saw it emerge to Wes Hoolahan. The Irishman wasn’t looking to waste the opportunity as three blue shirts surrounded him, knocking it through to Anthony Pilkington, who curled his effort nicely past Joe Hart.
This lead didn’t last long however, when an unmarked Jack Rodwell blasted a free shot past John Ruddy just three minutes later.
Chris Hughton’s side weren’t finished with their scoring just yet, however. Just ten minutes into the second-half, Robert Snodgrass found himself free in the box to square a ball into Grant Holt, who tapped it home for 2-1.
Once more, Rodwell was impatient to level things up. The now Sheffield United man took matters into his own hands, making a solo run from the halfway line into the Canaries box, with a tight angled finish past Ruddy to even the scoring.
Despite Rodwell’s best efforts, it would all be for nothing after an incredible solo run from Jonny Howson saw him win the game for the Canaries, beating four Man City players before slotting the winner home.
Norwich City XI: Ruddy, R. Bennett, Martin, Whittaker, Garrido, Hoolahan, Howson, Johnson (Tettey, 65), Pilkington (E. Bennett, 81), Snodgrass, Holt (Becchio, 90)
Subs not used: Bunn, Barnett, Butterfield, Fox
What happened next?
Signing the season off, Manchester City finished in their guaranteed second-place, which was considered disappointing to fans given their roster!
Meanwhile, the Canaries finished in their second-highest Premier League finish, taking 11th place to end off the campaign, only being beaten by their third-place finish in the 1992-93 season.
In the next season, Man City went on to win the league, whilst the Canaries saw an 18th place finish send them down to the Championship.
