Man of the Hour: Anthony Pilkington celebrates his winning goal for Norwich
Image retrived from The Daily Mail UK
Starting Lineups (Courtesy of Soccerway.com)
Goals of the Game
Norwich: Pilkington (60')
Manchester United: -
In commentator Ian Crocker's words, Manchester United were caught "rattled" at Carrow Road, as the league leaders would lose their hold on the summit as they succumb to a 1-0 defeat against a tenacious Norwich City side.
United were quick on the ball in the first minutes of the game, with them getting a corner in the first three minutes. The Reds were in complete control of possession, but simply weren't dishing out great chances. The Canaries would soon sense their opportunity and made attacks of their own: Wes Hoolahan, Robert Snodgrass and Grant Holt would get opportunities that would ultimately go wide or collected by United's keeper Lindegaard. A good chance came from Ryan Giggs in the 38th minute who passed to Van Persie, who was in the box. He would uncharacteristically miss the shot. Minutes later, A United corner saw Ashley Young get the ball. He took the shot, but Norwich keeper Ruddy makes a good save. The second corner would see Smalling collect the ball but get the same result. Norwich would catch the break after the third corner is collected by Ruddy but it all goes nowhere.
Norwich winger Robert Snodgrass takes an attempt on goal
Image retrived from The Daily Mail UK
Second half would begin in the same way as the first, with United getting the early possession. A cool pass from Young to Van Persie would see the ball go out of play as the Dutch striker couldn't quite connect. United would continue their probing but would soon lose their control to the Canaries. A sublime pass from Garrido on the right wing would arrive in front of Pilkington, who heads the first goal of the night.
United would respond by bringing in the legendary Paul Scholes. The Reds would have a long spell of probing at Norwich's half, as the Canaries defend their slim lead. Welbeck, Giggs and Young would all have a chance to get in a shot, to no avail.
Pilkington's header goes past Lindegaard
Image retrived from The Daily Mail UK
The Canaries would get a break shortly after they substitute Holt and Hoolahan with Morison and Howson. It was Howson who would get one-on-one with United's Lindegaard but wastes the chance away. United would then siege the Norwich defense as they continue their crusade for that long-sought equalizer. Shot after shot, it was Norwich's shot-stopper John Ruddy who proved resilient as he saved each and every attempt. At the death, Anderson would rocket in a drive heading straight to the back of the net, but the Norwich keeper stayed resolute and saved it just mere inches before Scholes could smash in the rebound.
The final whistle would be sounded after then and Chris Hughton's men would delight themselves in the fact that they have defeated the giants Manchester United, with it the slip of Sir Alex Ferguson's hold on the top of the table.
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