NORWICH ALMOST THERE
Canaries one point away from Premier League promised land
Norwich are on the brink of the Premier League even if this fourth draw in a row must have felt like chinese water torture for everyone connected to the club at full-time.
A couple of hours later, once Leeds had lost to Brentford and promotion became a near certainty, with just a point needed at home to Blackburn on Saturday, the mood will have lifted considerably.
But at the final whistle the drip, drip, drip, of one point at a time was clear agony.
A number of Norwich players fell to the turf, exhausted from their efforts and deflated that a victory twice in their grasp had slipped away. Yet the result at Griffin Park means Daniel Farke’s side are six points clear of Leeds in third and with a goal difference advantage of 10. Blackburn are up next at carrow road on Saturday and confirming promotion at home is an appealing prospect.
Farke went on to the pitch to offer words of encouragement to his dejected players, including Max Aarons, the 19-year-old who had delivered another impressive display to solidify his reputation as the championship’s best right back. Norwich’s success has been underpinned by Farke’s faith in youth, with left back Jamal Lewis also effective and Ben Godfrey authoritative at centre-back once more.
Led by sporting director Stuart webber, Norwich have bought shrewdly in the transfer market to revamp an ageing squad that fell out of the Premier League in 2016 and struggled in the second tier. Stoke will look on with envy. Nathan Jones now has only three wins in 17 games since replacing Gary rowett and supporters are restless. Stoke have spent heavily this campaign but will finish below halfway and an overhaul of recruitment is in order. Norwich were measured in the first half and deservedly led at the interval. Jack Butland saved a closerange Teemu Pukki (right) header but had no answer to onel hernandez’s strike. hernandez shot hard and low when Tom Edwards failed to fully clear a low cross by Lewis. But Stoke got level within two minutes of the second half. Ashley williams met Thibaud Verlinden’s corner on the run and stooped to head it into the net. Substitute Mario Vrancic made a telling contribution as he picked out a gorgeous cross — allowing Pukki to steal in ahead of williams for his 28th of the campaign. Stoke equalised for a second time three minutes later. hernandez slipped to gift Edwards possession, who hit a sharp shot into the far corner.
Farke said there was ‘ no need’ for his players to feel down. ‘ we are 12 games unbeaten and league leaders — 23 teams would want to change places,’ he said.
‘i like this feeling in our young lads, they are passionate and being full of desire is a strength. But it is up to me and the older players to say, “Show your chest.” it was a good point at a difficult place.’