Taking this run of the mill Barclays Premier League fixture at Norwich City’s Carrow Road and calling it a classic might be stretching the truth somewhat. Sure, there were five goals and a rousing comeback from the visitors Manchester City. Yet, the headlines were made not by any of the protagonists in either a yellow or light blue jersey, but by a 63-year-old lady renowned for her fantastic home cooking capabilities.
Yes, this was the now infamous moment when domestic goddess and the Canaries’ majority shareholder Delia Smith took to the pitch at half time – seemingly having imbibed a little too much of the liquid corporate hospitality – to beseech the Norwich fans into getting behind their struggling team.
The relegation-threatened hosts raced into a two goal lead thanks to a superb flicked effort by Dean Ashton and a neatly taken goal by Leon McKenzie. However, Nigel Worthington’s side were brittle and before half time, a header by Antione Sibierski and a typical stylish finish by expert marksman Robbie Fowler drew Kevin Keegan’s team level.
Worried that her team were capitulating before her very eyes, Delia then took to the mic on the pitch at half time to issue her rallying cry “Where are you? Let’s be ‘avin you”.
The second half failed to produce anything like as much action as the first until Norwich winger Mattias Jonson got himself sent off for a second bookable offence – a late lunge of everyone’s favourite Twitter philosopher, Joey Barton.
Seemingly set fair for a hard earned point, Norwich hearts were ultimately broken in injury time when that man Fowler did what he does best, albeit with a large slice of luck – his miskicked shot bobbled home to allow Manchester City to travel back north with all three points.
The lost point could have proved costly; Norwich went down that season by a solitary point, although their vastly inferior goal difference also handicapped their efforts to survive at the expense of West Bromwich Albion. Manchester City – before the days of an endless Emirati cash supply – finished in a creditable eighth position.
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