Norwich 0-0 Newcastle Newcastle United were left to settle for 0-0 draw with Norwich City after an entertaining stalemate at Carrow Road. Newcastles build-up to the game had been overshadowed by the imminent departure of midfielder Yohan Cabaye, who is poised to join Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain. However, that appeared to be of little distraction to Newcastle, who created plenty of chances without finding a way past Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy. Hatem Ben Arfa and Loic Remy provided most of the threat in the encounter, the latter hitting the woodwork in each half. Both teams finished the game with 10 men as Remy and Johnson were sent off following a melee in the final 10 minutes. Norwich brought in Anthony Pilkington in place of on-loan winger Jonas Gutierrez, ineligible to play against his parent club. Ben Arfa came in for the absent Cabaye for Newcastle while Sammy Ameobi took the spot of injured Yoan Gouffran in attack beside Loic Remy, who threatened almost immediately, curling wide in the second minute. Newcastle continued to dictate the play and could have gone ahead 18 minutes in but for a fine save from John Ruddy to keep out a close-range Remy strike following a slick Newcastle move involving Ben Arfa and Moussa Sissoko. Ruddy had to be alert again to prevent Sebastien Bassong from slicing into his own net soon after, before Bradley Johnson turned Remys cross against his own post. Remy then saw a shot come back off the upright after 24 minutes before Ruddy denied Ben Arfa with a strong stop. Norwich came back into the game as the first half wore on but it was Newcastle who continued to look the most likely to score as Ben Arfa failed to convert Sammy Ameobi’s pull-back just before half-time. Newcastle remained the more dangerous in front of goal after the restart, Remy striking the crossbar with a free-kick. Ben Arfa went close with another set-piece on 67 minutes, but the Frenchman was forced off less than 10 minutes later and replaced by Shola Ameobi. Norwich created their first real chance of the game shortly after that switch, when Gary Hooper rattled the crossbar from close range. It was an ill-tempered end to the game as Johnson and Remy each saw the red for their part in a scuffle, Meaning the QPR loanee will miss Newcastles Tyne-Wear derby with Sunderland on Saturday. Newcastle had goalkeeper Tim Krul to thank for preserving a point as he kept out Robert Snodgrass’ point-blank header with a superb reflex save in the closing stages. Norwich manager Chris Hughton: Newcastle were very good and better on the ball than us. We got to grips better in the second half. Newcastle manager Alan Pardew: We were terrific tonight. Hatem [Ben Arfa] and Sammy [Ameobi] were terrific. We hit the woodwork three or four times. I cant remember the last time we created so many chances and did not score away from home. We defended well and Im very proud of the performance.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 05:35:57 +0000
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