Norwich City have pulled themselves out of the drop zone, thanks to a stunning second-half performance. They looked to be on their way to taking a serious beating from West Ham, but turned the tables on the Hammers and then some in the second half en route to a 3-1 win.
Norwich City vs. West Ham United: Final score 3-1, Canaries out of the drop zone
Chris Hughton looked destined for the unemployment line after a half of dour football from Norwich, but they stormed back to defeat West Ham at Carrow Road.
West Ham were well in control from the start and dominated the first half. Guy Demel had their first big chance 13 minutes in, hitting the crossbar with a header off a set piece. The Hammers continued to control midfield and deny Norwich anything resembling a look at goal up to the opener, scored by Ravel Morrison in the 32nd minute.
Mark Noble started the business end of the move with a through ball to Ravzan Rat, overlapping from his left back position. He played a low ball into Kevin Nolan, whose initial attempt on goal was blocked. He recovered the ball and picked out the run of Morrison, who was unmarked and had an easy finish on an open goal from six yards.
Norwich looked like a much better side right out of the gate in the second half and their improved energy paid off in the 53rd minute, when Gary Hooper won a penalty. Jussi Jaaskelainen conceded it with a serious lapse of judgment, swiping at the ball in the box but catching Hooper's feet instead. He stepped up to the spot and hit a piledriver into the back of the net, leveling the match and recording his first Premier League goal.
Jonny Howson just about put the Canaries up in the 71st minute with an incredible strike from distance that smacked the crossbar, but the Carrow Road faithful didn’t get to lament that miss for long. A minute later, Robert Snodgrass won a free kick 20 yards from goal and made the most of it himself, curling a shot around the wall to easily beat Jaaskelainen, who was extremely slow to react.
In stoppage time, with West Ham pushing for an equalizer, Leroy Fer sealed the result for his side with a brilliant individual goal, beating two defenders on a powerful run forward before beating Jaaskelainen low and to the far post from the edge of the box.
Norwich: Ruddy, Olsson, Bennett, Turner, Martin, Pilkington (Redmond 33’), Fer, Howson, Snodgrass, Hooper (Johnson 87’), Elmander
Goals: Hooper (penalty 54’), Snodgrass (72’), Fer (90’)
West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Rat, Tomkins, Collins, Demel, Noble (Jarvis 87’), Collison (C. Cole 74’), Morrison, J. Cole (Diame 72’), Nolan, Downing
Goals: Morrison (32’)
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