Late Norwich leveller denies Newcastle first win
Newcastle United could only take a point from their bottom of the table clash with Norwich City on a dramatic Tuesday evening at St James’ Park.
When Ciaran Clark received a red card for the home side after just 9 minutes - http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/halftime_update_newcastle_up_against_it_due_to_early_dismissal_960055/index.shtml - it seemed like a point may be just about as much as they could wish for but after a fairly even first half the 10 men managed to grab the lead on the hour mark to the delight of the home crowd. A ball into the Norwich penalty area appeared to be handled by Gilmour but the appeals of the home faithful initially fell on deaf ears from the referee. VAR however instructed him to look at the monitor and he reversed his decision to award the home team a penalty.
Former Magpies keeper Krul did his best to try and put off Callum Wilson and the Dutch keeper managed to get his hand to the spot kick, which found the net via the crossbar and the stadium erupted.
Norwich had offered little despite their numerical advantage but they got a goal out of almost nothing with 11 minutes to go. Toon keeper Dubravka could only palm away a ball into the box, Giannoulis reacted for the visitors, crossing for Pukki to fire a fine volley into the Newcastle net.
The best chance in the closing stages fell to the Canaries as Lees-Melou picked up on a sloppy clearance from Schar and advanced on goal but Dubravka was able to make a big save.
A point doesn’t really do either side any favours. Eddie Howe would have been hoping to get his reign as manager kick-started with a win tonight but having gone down to 10 men so early a point may not be as bad as it might have been. For Norwich, they remain unbeaten under Dean Smith but they never really looked like taking advantage of the red card until the closing stages of the game.
Next up for Newcastle is another foot of the table clash against Burnley at St James’ Park on Saturday.