Grant Holt scores the winning goal for Norwich City at Swansea. Picture: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images

Barclays Premier League: Swansea City 2, Norwich City 3

David Cuffley Saturday, February 11, 2012
5:19 PM

Skipper Grant Holt struck twice as Norwich City produced a barnstorming second-half performance to secure Premier League victory over Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.

The Canaries trailed at the interval to a Danny Graham goal and it might have been worse but for the returning Elliott Ward making a vital clearance from the feet of Swansea’s leading scorer.

But Paul Lambert’s men scored three times in 16 minutes early in the second period with Holt striking either side of a goal by Anthony Pilkington.

Holt nodded in from Ward’s cross to equalise two minutes after the break, then Pilkington’s shot was diverted in by defender Neil Taylor to make it 2-1.

Holt scored his 11th of the season from Elliott Bennett’s pass to extend his side’s lead.

But the Canaries, who lost Adam Drury to a back problem and later replaced the hobbling Bennett, were tested in the closing stages with Graham scoring from the penalty spot three minutes from time after Holt had tugged the shirt of opposing skipper Ashley Williams.

A fine save from John Ruddy denied Steven Caulker a last-gasp equaliser as City finished the match with Kyle Naughton limping badly.

Ward was magnificent on his return to the side and victory made it City’s third double of the season and their first win at Swansea for 50 years.

Norwich boss Lambert made three changes from the team that started the 2-0 win over Bolton. With central defenders Daniel Ayala and Zak Whitbread both ruled out by hamstring injuries, Ward made his first appearance of the season after seven months out with a knee injury, and was partnered by Russell Martin, who kept his place in the centre of defence after coming off the bench against Bolton.

The other change was Bennett’s inclusion at the expense of Wes Hoolahan.

Swansea made one change after the 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion with Josh McEachran replacing Joe Allen, ruled out by a hamstring problem.

The Canaries lined up in 4-4-2 formation with Surman forming a central midfield pairing with Fox, and Bennett and Pilkington playing wide.

There were a couple of anxious moments in the opening five minutes, first when Bennett was caught napping by Taylor, enabling Dyer to get in a shot that was deflected off course, then when Russell Martin struggled to control a dropping ball and Sigurdsson’s shot was also diverted across the edge of the Norwich area.

The Canaries, with Holt booed at every touch, began to piece some decent moves together and a foul on Jackson gave them a free-kick more than 25 yards out, but Pilkington’s attempt was well covered by goalkeeper Vorm.

City earned a corner when Taylor had to head clear from Jackson’s cross, and when it was taken short, Fox played a one-two before delivering a cross that Vorm held under pressure from Holt.

A neat passing move by the left edge of the Swansea area ended with Holt whipping in a shot from a tight angle, but Vorm was equal to it.

Midway through the half, however, and without having posed a major threat, Swansea went ahead through Graham’s 11th goal of the season.

Vorm’s clearance found Sigurdsson and he in turn found Dyer, who put the striker through and he had the fairly easy task of sidefooting his shot out of reach of Ruddy’s left hand.

There was an angry exchange soon after the restart when Rangel protested he had been caught in the face by Holt, though replays showed the merest flick of the hand rather than anything approaching an arm. Referee Atkinson spoke to the City skipper but did not produce a card.

Pilkington had a shot deflected wide after a corner and, as Norwich continued to press, Ward miscued from the edge of the area and sent his shot swirling over the top.

Fox almost landed Ruddy in real trouble with an awful backpass that the keeper had to race out to clear, under pressure from Graham.

Drury needed attention after landing badly on his back as he attempted to clear, but was able to resume.

The Canaries produced their best opening yet eight minutes before the interval when Pilkington crossed from the left and Surman got in a close-range header, but straight at Vorm.

Ward came to the rescue for Norwich when he diverted a cross from Sinclair over the bar just as Graham seemed poised to score his second, after Dyer had again caused problems.

Drury was booked after 43 minutes for bringing down Dyer, the first yellow card of the afternoon.

• Half-time: Swansea City 1, Norwich City 0

Within two minutes of the restart, the Canaries were level as Holt scored his 10th goal of the season.

It came in bizarre fashion following a free-kick from Fox after Drury had been fouled by Dyer.

Russell Martin sliced an attempted volley high into the air, but Ward somehow managed to hook the ball back from the byline across the face of goal, where Holt headed home.

Ruddy saved from Graham and Caulker struck the woodwork with a header from the resulting corner as Swansea sought an immediate response, but there was another shock for the home crowd as City went 2-1 up in the 51st minute through Pilkington, his seventh goal of the season.

Bennett teed Pilkington up for the shot and his goalbound effort was diverted past Vorm by defender Taylor.

With 57 minutes gone, the Canaries reshuffled their defence as Drury made way for Barnett, Naughton switching to left-back, Russell Martin to right-back and the substitute partnering Ward in the centre.

The Canaries scored for the third time in the 63rd minute and it was Holt again with a clinical finish. Surman picked out Bennett and his pass was perfectly judged for Holt to drill a low right-foot shot past Vorm.

Holt was booked for removing his shirt as part of the celebration.

Swansea replaced McEachran with Gower before the game restarted.

Surman fired over the top from Jackson’s pass when he might have done better, as the Canaries went in search of a fourth goal.

Swansea made a double change with 73 minutes gone as Routledge and Lita replaced Sinclair and Dyer.

Naughton almost made it 4-1 with a powerful effort that Vorm tipped on to the bar.

Bennett, who was hobbling, was replaced by Hoolahan with 13 minutes remaining.

There were appeals for a penalty when Naughton cut out a cross from Routledge at the expense of a corner.

Hoolahan was so close to extending City’s lead when Vorm tipped his shot over the bar after Jackson and Holt combined to set up the chance.

Lambert made his final change when Morison was sent on for Jackson with seven minutes remaining.

A free-kick by Sigurdsson forced Ruddy into an important save from a free-kick but the resulting corner led to a penalty that brought Swansea back into the game.

Holt tugged Williams’ shirt as the flag-kick came over and referee Atkinson pointed straight to the spot, Graham tucking the penalty away with just over three minutes remaining.

A quick break could have provided City with a fourth as Holt set up Morison for a shot that Vorm palmed away.

As the fourth official signalled five extra minutes, Naughton was hobbling badly and clearly in some trouble.

Graham shot wide from Sigurdsson’s cross when he really should have equalised.

It was a dramatic finish to a very eventful second half and Caulker was denied in stoppage time when his header from a corner was brilliantly tipped over by Ruddy.

• Result: Swansea City 2, Norwich City 3

• Swansea City: Vorm; Rangel, Caulker, Williams, Taylor; Britton, McEachran (Gower, 64); Sigurdsson; Dyer (Lita, 73), Graham, Sinclair (Routledge, 73). Subs (not used): Tremmel, Monk, Richards, Moore.

• Norwich City: Ruddy; Naughton, Russell Martin, Ward, Drury (Barnett, 57); Bennett (Hoolahan, 77), Fox, Surman, Pilkington; Holt, Jackson (Morison, 83). Subs (not used): Steer, Crofts, Johnson, Wilbraham.

• Referee: Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)

• Attendance: 19,927

• Goals: Swansea: Graham (23, pen 87). Norwich: Holt (47, 63), Pilkington (51)

• Bookings: Norwich: Drury (43), Holt (64)

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55 comments

nochmals ethered. Nice one, john doe. P`bro have signed a Macclesfield defender on loan, so may we have our Bennett back, please?

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Mad Brewer

Monday, February 13, 2012
Nice one, john doe! Although I believe his prescription boxing gloves have limited his activity a bit, of late. I hope we get good news on the injuries. I read that Peterborough have signed a young defender on loan from Macclesfield, so may we have our Ryan back, please?

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Mad Brewer

Monday, February 13, 2012
What about Kyle Naughton's thunderbolt that Vorm tipped on to the bar? What's the story on his injury? I expect that the cup tie will be a welcome recuperation break for a number of the squad.

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Swiss Canary

Monday, February 13, 2012
Gongratulations to amazing Canaries team and PL!!!

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Mongol Canary

Monday, February 13, 2012
Gongratulations to amazing Canaries team and PL!!!

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Mongol Canary

Monday, February 13, 2012
The only Sian that Ged knows is one of the ugly sisters of Mrs palm and her five daughters......and even they were disappointed!

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john doe

Sunday, February 12, 2012
This makes it definite, already - WE ARE STAYING UP! And we are in fact much closer to Europe next year than to relegation! It´s unbelievable. 8th spot...

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Rob (Serinus Canaria Norvegicus)

Sunday, February 12, 2012
A little cracker called Sian, Ged ? Wouldn't be that ageing weather woman who's likes rolling around in the mud in the jungle while eating animals dangly bits ? I'll bet she's old enough to be your Mummy....

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Graham Last

Sunday, February 12, 2012
good to have you back Ged.Can you go away again please.

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Peter Watson

Sunday, February 12, 2012
This is all a bit surreal. Great fun. We have an allegedly Welsh entity sheepishly recounting hillside experiences with a dysfunctional Ipswich troll on a NCFC site. How can this happen? It`s almost ecumenical. On the football front (heaven forbid), it was a tup performance. We stuffed them. Lambs to the slaughter.

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Anyway boys, I've got to go now, I hear that they are putting out some turnips in the top meadow. Baa!

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Sian

Sunday, February 12, 2012
You're tellin' me boyyo. The chickens told us that someone had been Tweeting that he was a bit of a pig. In fact the sows were getting a little frisky, but in the end he turned out to be a bit of a stallion. Is that why they call him the horse,You're tellin' me boyyo. The chickens told us that someone had been Tweeting that he was a bit of a pig. In fact the sows were getting a little frisky, but in the end he turned out to be a bit of a stallion. Is that why they call him the horse?

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Sian

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Maybe it was Holty's manly display that helped Ged to score!

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cutty

Sunday, February 12, 2012
What's occuring? Ewe get lonley on them hillsides at night, but really this was hardly worth lifting my tail for. Baa-humbug, let's get some real tups in amongst us!

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Sian

Sunday, February 12, 2012
STEROO= WHAT A NERD........OTBC

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yarco

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sian, you beat me to it, I heard that she was Shaun's sister and when Ged left her at the side, she bleated, "Ged come baaaaaaaaaack

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RoadWarrior

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Baaa!

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Sian

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Just got back. Ended up spending the night in Wales, after I pulled a little cracker called Sian. I told her I was a legend on here and promised I'd give her a mention!! Good result yesterday, even if it was a bit disappointing that Swansea played so poorly, I guess we have to count ourselves lucky that they played the worst they had all season. Although typically we tried to throw it away with even more inept defending. We won't keep getting away with it though. Poor support again, from everyone other than me. Love from Ged x (especially to you Sian)

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Ged Steroo

Sunday, February 12, 2012
another hard earned 3 points against a team that does not lose too many games at home! Another happy Monday in work, however it will have a downside tomorrow, my boss takes part in our works last man standing, yes you guessed it, this weekends round of matches was the first after being won last weekend, he told me with a smug grin on his face on Friday, that he had selected Swansea to win. (He is a Man U supporter and would not even back his own team to win). I did warn him, but alas he would not listen. I asked him if he was a follower of the pink bellend. He told me he had never heard of Ged

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RoadWarrior

Sunday, February 12, 2012
goldie, your posting reminds me of that corny old Naaafolk joke "As you approach the town of Diss, the town Diss appears. I know it was only a typo! :-)

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Tried to reply, cutty, but ethered yet again. The "tough" end to the season perhaps not as daunting as the pundits of gloom forecast? Count no chickens yet. Steady as she goes. OTBC.

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, February 12, 2012
The thing is, cutty, all the "experts" said that Norwich had a tough end to the Season, but just now Blackburn (away), Liverpool & Aston Villa (home) don`t look too daunting. Spurs & Arsenal (away) not so good, maybe? I reckon we still have 6 "winnable" games. Let`s count no chickens, but I didn`t expect such a convincing win (despite scoreline) at Swansea. Or any sort of win. The pundits reckon Swansea are as good as Barca, after all! Another little heap of injuries Saturday, unfortunately. OTBC.

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Snap Brewer that was my start of the season prediction, but now its got to be a top ten spot with an added chance at Wembly OTBC.

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cutty

Sunday, February 12, 2012
PS did I detect a nascent silly haircut atop Holty`s head? Or was it an illusion created by the picture quality? Sincerely hope it`s the latter. Be mittens next!

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Before the season started I estimated 47 points and 14th place. We could be on target for that but if so will probably be better than 14th, the way things are shaping up. There are 13 more games to go and I`d love to be wrong. The more points the better! Just get to that "magic number" 40 first. OTBC.

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Warum ethered???

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Yes, injuries, more injuries. We`ll be running out of defensive options soon, unless Saturday`s knocks were minor. We`ve got versatile players, though and the likes of Lappin, Crofts and Bradley Johnson can probably muster a defence shift if necessary. At least we have a Cup game before MUFC to get injuries sorted. Hopefully!

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, February 12, 2012
At the start of the season I predicted we would just about stay up (that was partly in hope as well) and that Swansea would go down. What do I know?? We are performing better than I could ever have imagined and we seem to be getting stronger at the moment. My only disappointment at the game is in reading about the injuries. Oh, on the Football League Show I noticed a rock at Portaloo Rd and could hear some muttering coming from under it. After your comments the other day, where are you Ged??

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Preston Canary

Sunday, February 12, 2012
A canny young Scotsman called Paul, had skill in kicking a ball. He abandoned the porridge, and came down to Norwich, to make the Canaries stand tall. From the dismal depths of League One, promotion was rapidly won, in the Championship too, they kicked butt it’s true, beat the Binners by five goals to one. So now that they're up in the Prem, they’re doing it all over again. From Swansea to Bolton, they caused a commotion, and left Colin with nothing but phlegm. It’s a wonderful thing to be seen, for team that cost hardly a bean. Singing their ditty, called “On the Ball City”. The Y’army in yellow and green.

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Swiss Canary

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Now to beat Man U.

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Disgusted of Norwich South

Saturday, February 11, 2012
If Swansea are Barcelona, we are Germany.

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Swiss Canary

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Ethered folk, pretend you`re Ged. God does not qualify. Holt won`t hack it in the Championship, experts said. Not too bad in the Prem, though. For a fat b*****d! That"penalty" could only have been given against him. John Terry gets away with worse several times per game. 8th!!

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Mad Brewer

Saturday, February 11, 2012
ethered too lol

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SussexYellow

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Great result - saw most of the game on the net and it was thoroughly deserved we worked hard, stopped their passing game and murdered them. Another stunning performance really showing the meaning of the word TEAM.

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SussexYellow

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Another comment dissapeared into the ether. Can't be bothered to type it again!

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goldie

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Just got back. A great result for the lads, but shuch a shame that it has come too late for this season. By now we should be in a position to win the league. Despite this result, it is clear that Swansea are in a stronger position win the league or qualify for Europe. As are our other qualifiers from the Championshile, QPR. As are the teams that came up before us, lie Newcastle (5-0 thrashing today aside),West Brom or Wolves. In fact, any other team from the Championship could be in a position to win the league right now. Apart from the Canaries. COYY!!! Red. Official NCFC moaners group spokesperson.

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Red Rooster

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Fantastic result obtained by really hard work and skills. What a fabulous team who never say die. Where is Red Goo now? still on his way back from the frozen off game in Ips. The boys have taken his breath away. Come on you Yellows.

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goldie

Saturday, February 11, 2012
I cant ever see us playing 1pwich again LOL ............OTBC

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yarco

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Fantastic result there's know player who does not want to play for the shirt a great all round performance bring on it'd otbc

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Spud

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Another late night finish here but what a game and played the Welsh Barcelona off the park - hopefully Adam not too badly injured but again another example of the deep we have. With 13 games to go who is your choice for player of the year?

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Singapore Canary

Saturday, February 11, 2012
A clean sweep of the newly promoted teams. Clearly Swansea do not have a Plan B. Once Norwich stopped them playing their game they did not know what to do.

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Swiss Canary

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Ethered, but I don't even care!

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Swiss Canary

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Can there be a better way to silence the critics. It has all been said below, I had to go and lie down for an hour after the match, the bottle of wine had nothing to do with it.

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Swiss Canary

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Defining moment in the season. If West Brom win at Wolves I'd say we're there, 14 points clear of the bottom 5 teams with 13 games to go. Oh! by the way, what would Holt look like if he wasn't holding his tummy in in the photo above.

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Lobbo

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Fantastic result there's know player who does not want to play for the shirt a great all round performance bring on it'd otbc

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Spud

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Great, great great result! no other comment, except who else has won at Swansea this season? Tough place to go and get a result.

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RoadWarrior

Saturday, February 11, 2012
what a fantastic football team we have....such success against all expectations...i am astonished by our amazing premier league campaign thus far....as i would think should be most neutral parties...no doubt we will nonetheless be short shrifted by motd tonight when the ill-mannered posturing at old trafford will be examined as if under a microscope...and coverage of the game at the liberty will be slender to the point of anorexia....or prove me wrong auntie beeb...

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jellybean

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Wow!! just back from the ... Stadio Olypmico. Fantastic result..amazing..unprecedented..unanticipated..outstanding..staggering..wonderful..phenominal..marvellous..stupendous..awesome..sensational..terrific..tremendous. OTBC!!

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Soglio Star

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Do you read this page Mr Holt? You played brilliantly today but your head got the better of you with a silly penalty - I forgive you!! LOL Well done at the fortress Norwich; you were magnificent! Now let's sort Leicester as a warm up before sorting MUFC!

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Geffy1

Saturday, February 11, 2012
I keep saying it, but in response to anyone who wants the wheels to come off for City... THE BEST OF LAMBERT IS YET TO COME... and it will be with us.

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mathsman

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Can't believe the effort and workrate of the whole team. Has to be the best away performance of the season!!! Look forward to reading the comments from the infamous 'Red Stooge'

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Mr Ed

Saturday, February 11, 2012
wow, just fantastic win and so proud of the lads, played very well. 8th in the league and 35pts, what an achievement. Love NCFC <3

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ImDrunky

Saturday, February 11, 2012
It gets better and better.Now for a trip to Wembley!

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Peter Watson

Saturday, February 11, 2012
I'm in heaven, is this for real? Somebody pinch me, but please please please nobody pinch Paul Lambert. The manager of the month hoodoo worked again this time on Rodgers. On The Ball City :)

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Bruce87

Saturday, February 11, 2012
This is an unbelivable win for "The City" I am very proud for "The Boys" and for my home of Norwich City !

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Albert Cooper

Saturday, February 11, 2012