City Down but not out?

Last updated : 06 March 2005 By

For most teams in Norwich City’s position, second from bottom of the Premier League with chances of survival evaporating ever quicker into thin air, having a laugh is not an option. But that is exactly what the Carrow Road faithful have done all season, and are continuing to do in the face of relegation.


No-one expected City to have a chance in hell of beating a Chelsea team brimming with confidence, international superstars, crisp wedges of banknotes, and a confidence that not having conceded a goal in your last ten Premiership outings brings.


But still a crowd of 24 506 (with a turnout of 96%!) packed Carrow Road determined to enjoy their day, or rather their evening courtesy of Sky TV’s appearance in the City for the second time in a week.


And enjoy it they did.


From early on the strains of ‘Come on, lets be avin’ you' could be heard, as strong a show of support for a majority shareholder who has been the butt of a few tabloid jokes this week as there could ever be. Then there was the specially prepared ‘we’ve got a super cook, you’ve got a Russian crook’ chant which raised smiles all around the ground.


But for me the piece-de-resistance came slightly before the hour mark, with the singing of ‘we’re gonna score in a minute’. At the time it was a mere sticking up of two fingers to the travelling Cockney’s who believed the game would be a stroll in the park for their team, than a genuine belief that the Chelsea rearguard would be breached.


But on 64 minutes City fans dared to believe that this might be there day, as their dream became a reality and Leon McKenzie’s sublime header from a superb Darren Huckerby cross sailed into the top corner of Petr Cech’s net cancelling out Joe Cole’s earlier screamer.


Five minutes, and a good Cech save from Damien Francis’ header later, and Chelsea were back in front through Mateja Kezman’s tap in, and the dream once again evaporated.


But who would have missed those priceless five minutes, when a team struggling at the bottom had a team looking ever more likely Premiership Champions on the back foot, forcing their world renowned coach into a double substitution in an attempt to win a game many thought would be over at half-time.


Roberto Carvalho’s free header nine minutes later once again exposed City’s weaknesses at the back but mattered little. City had worked hard taken the fight to their opponents and given them damn good run for their money.


Once again it’s another game gone, another three points dropped, and another step closer to a return to the second league. But as one caller to Canary-call stated “I want to talk about the positives today,” something which was echoed by many leaving the ground.


With such loyal supporters, such a dedicated team, and such passionate directors, City have plenty to be positive about.