Norwich moved to within four points of an unlikely escape from the Premier League relegation zone as Jamal Lewis’ fine goal gave them a precious win against Leicester.
The Canaries were in real danger of being cut adrift heading into the final 10 games of the season but can now retain hope of overhauling the struggling sides above them after a much-needed win.
Daniel Farke’s side had not scored from open play since New Year’s Day but managed to hang on after Lewis smashed in for a fifth win of the season.
For the second week in a row, Leicester will feel hard done by as they saw Kelechi Iheanacho’s excellent 20-yarder ruled out by VAR for handball.
Brendan Rodgers saw his side have plenty of pressure without the injured Jamie Vardy but the Foxes have now gone five games without a win in all competitions.
Leicester have looked locked in for a European place for months now and will remain in third place no matter what happens over the Premier League weekend – but they will now be starting to worry after a damaging slump in form.
At the other end of the table, survival was starting to look improbable but this win could prove absolutely vital come the end of the campaign.
Unlikely hero gives Canaries fresh hope
On the 15th anniversary of Delia Smith’s famous “where are you?” outburst at half-time of a 3-2 defeat by Manchester City, the club were in need of inspiration once again.
One win in 14 league games had left the Canaries rooted to the foot of the table and a further defeat would have left them on 18 points after 28 games.
Only one side in Premier League history – Portsmouth in 2006 – had stayed up after being in such a predicament but now Norwich can focus on Watford and West Ham just a win ahead.
Delia was watching on again as defender Ben Godfrey went close with an early header before a familiar tale of pretty approach play with no end product began to play out.
Top scorer Teemu Pukki dragged wide after fine play from Todd Cantwell and Emiliano Buendia but it was hard to see where a goal could come from.
Lewis was the unlikely answer, arriving on to right-back Max Aaron’s deep cross to hit a swerving shot on the bounce that curved past Kasper Schmeichel and in. It was his first league goal for the club on his 82nd appearance.
The hosts actually wasted two great counter-attacks – including a six-on-three break – but held on for just a second league win since November.
“A win is always good for the mood and confidence but I am not over the moon,” Farke said.
“It was important that we were on top of our game to get some points because we are the underdogs in this league.
“There are more than 20 points, let us see how far we can go. We will be brave and let’s see what the outcome can be.”
| Staying up? Norwich’s run-in | |
|---|---|
| 7 March – Sheffield Utd (a) | 14 March – Southampton (h) |
| 21 March – Everton (h) | 4 April – Arsenal (a) |
| 11 April – Brighton (h) | 18 April – Watford (a) |
| 25 April – West Ham (h) | 2 May – Chelsea (a) |
| 9 May – Burnley (h) | 17 May – Man City (a) |
‘We can’t dance around the truth’
This week marks the first anniversary of Rodgers’ arrival at Leicester and the club are perhaps facing their first real blip.
Vardy was missing with a calf strain but Leicester still could and should have been ahead before Lewis’ intervention.
Dennis Praet hit the outside of the post as Leicester had 12 first-half efforts and Iheanacho’s ‘goal’ would surely have stood in any previous season.
As the striker jostled with Godfrey for a bouncing ball, both players appeared to unintentionally handle it before the former Manchester City man went on to power home a brilliant finish with his left foot.
There was a long wait as VAR Graham Scott consulted the footage and the goal was ruled out. It was another blow for Leicester and Rodgers, who felt his side were denied a penalty for handball against Manchester City last week.
“We are disappointed with our goal being ruled out,” Rodgers said.
“We felt it was very, very harsh. It was unintentional but it hits their player’s arm and drops on to Kelechi’s.
“We have been inconsistent. We can’t dance around the truth, we need to be better but that is something I am confident we can do.
“We need to get that focus back in our game.”
An expected late onslaught never really came as Leicester failed to force Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul into a save in the final 20 minutes despite plenty of pressure.
They retain a nine-point cushion over fifth-placed Manchester United but need a win soon to get their Champions League hopes back on track.
Man of the match – Emiliano Buendia (Norwich)
What next?
Norwich head to Tottenham in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday night – live on the BBC – while Leicester host Birmingham at the same time.
Leicester slump continues – the stats
- Norwich City enjoyed only their fifth Premier League win of the season, with two of those coming against teams occupying the top three (3-2 vs Man City in September)
- Leicester have lost six of their last 11 Premier League games (W3 D2 L6), one more than they lost in their first 27 matches under Brendan Rodgers (W17 D5 L5)
- Leicester have now lost three of their last four Premier League games against teams starting the day in the bottom half (W1 D0 L3), having lost just one of their first 18 games of this kind under Brendan Rodgers (W13 D4 L1)
- Leicester suffered a Premier League defeat against a team starting the day bottom for the first time since December 2016, when they lost 2-1 against Sunderland
- Norwich defender Jamal Lewis – aged 22 years and 34 days – became the youngest Northern Irish player to score in the Premier League since Craig Cathcart in January 2011 for Blackpool against Man Utd (21y 353d)
