Norwich City’s DVD pick Kei Kamara proves his Premier League quality

Kei Kamara (right) celebrates his equaliser by throwing some shapes with Sebastien Bassong. Picture: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images

Paddy Davitt Monday, February 25, 2013
1:31 PM

Chris Hughton saluted the unquenchable spirit of his Norwich City players that underpinned a ferocious late assault to overcome Everton in a Premier League epic at Carrow Road.

City trailed to Leon Osman’s first-half opener until Kei Kamara rose imperiously to head home Robert Snodgrass’ outswinging corner with six minutes left of normal time.

Hughton admitted he would have settled for parity, but the Canaries surged forward in pursuit of a priceless winner – despatched by Grant Holt deep into stoppage time - that could carry huge ramifications for Norwich’s survival bid.

“The difference in this division between one point and three points is massive and we managed to do that,” he said. “There is nothing better to lift a support than scoring goals and I think they could sense we could get the winner at 1-1. It does an awful lot for the feel of the whole group.

“I thought at 1-1 we absolutely deserved that result. The lads showed great drive and determination to get the winner. Once you are 1-0 down and you get back to 1-1 you have to be honest and say we would settle for that. But those lads wanted something different. I don’t know how crucial that win is. It is certainly pleasing to be past the 30 point mark. That is a psychological thing for us and a big confidence thing. It could possibly be a key game. It was certainly a big win.”

Kamara’s decisive cameo thrust the Sierra Leone international into the spotlight. Hughton, however, opted to dampen the rising expectation surrounding the Sporting Kansas City loanee.

“At this stage he is probably not in a moment where we can start him because he is behind everybody else in terms of fitness. But he is a wonderful impact player,” said the City boss.

“What he has and what we see is a player who has that ability and pace to get the other side of defenders and he is good in the air. He has good possibilities and he can also play in a wide area as well. But he has probably had two weeks, a week and a half of training and not played too many games up to this last month.

“I am really delighted for him. It was a little bit of a risk bringing a player over. You don’t know how quickly they can settle into the league and certainly in January that is a bit of a risk. Kei is a lad who wants to do really well and this is a good opportunity for him.

Hughton revealed that he had not watched Kamara in the flesh prior to his arrival from the MLS after a previous trial at Stoke.

“I think our chief scout had seen him but I had not seen him live,” he said. “Our chief scout was aware of him and that we might be able to bring him over as he had been in this country before. It’s not unusual, but generally not the case. Most players you sign you have had the opportunity to see. You have to trust the judgement of your chief scout and people you know. Mostly it is the hours of DVDs that we spend watching. The ideal scenario is always to do your due diligence and go and watch the player.”

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14 comments

steady on

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andyrew

Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Ah, like they do on "Man vs Food"?

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DocOhNo

Tuesday, February 26, 2013
It`s a Mexican thing, Doc. Jalapeno peppers and all that. Do you remember the "Flying Burrito Brothers"? Gram Parsons, et al? Precursor to The Byrds. All very Southern California & stuff. Apparently there is a Worldwide franchise for these Chipotle Restaurants. Round these paarts, folk order fish & chipotles. I imagine Kei prefers to get his fangs into the proper stuff. ;-)

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Who left their mark on Fellani's knee? Much more important, what's a chipotle restaurant?

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DocOhNo

Tuesday, February 26, 2013
It was interesting that Ferocious Fellani was not even bothering KK when he came on right up to when he got ahead of him to score. After that he was all over him like a rash. A nasty pice of work that guy, though there are a number of us who felt that what he did to Ryan Shawcross had a touch of poetic justice.

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Swiss Canary

Tuesday, February 26, 2013
LYBirdie, I`m told they`re quite refined in an almost English way in Southern California, where Kei was raised. Well, in a way that English people used to be refined!

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, February 26, 2013
So that`s what it is CanaryWest! I thought he had a Nobby Stiles style of dental design. That is wacky. Kount DraKula! I`m really warming to this eccentric fellow. Man from the Prairie was right!

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Mad Brewer

Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I really loved that comment of his. "Now everybody knows my secret: I can jump." He's been in Britain 5 minutes and already he's mastered the art of understatement!

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LittleYellowBirdie

Monday, February 25, 2013
The UK does have Chipotle restaurants. I'm about 200 yards from one right now. I'm quite glad this story has none of the vitriol of casual misogyny that the last one I just read had stinking up the comments page. Just some good wholesome restaurant discussion, relatively safe ground there.

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nachospestos

Monday, February 25, 2013
Prairie, there's at least 2 Chipotle's in London. He can pick some up away at Arsenal in a few weeks...

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Wymondham Wonder

Monday, February 25, 2013
Now you know why Sporting KC fans still love him and are supportive of him "kickin butt" in the Premier. But, don't demand too much, too soon. Give him time to adjust to not only the game, but living in UK. It takes time coming from America to get used to life in UK. (like no Chipotle restaurants). On the pitch, he can make other players better with his passing and his defensive play. Just watch and enjoy. Then, give him the big contract.

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Man from the Prairie

Monday, February 25, 2013
I think Super Ks performance and 3 points has meant that Hoots gamble has paid off. The lad should be under no pressure to perform now in the next few games as he has clearly given the club a huge lift towards next years target, another season in the premiership at least

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Canaryinslovenia

Monday, February 25, 2013
He wears a black gumshield with white vampire teeth on it. You could see him putting it in and taking it out. It kinda refelects his zany personality huh?

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CanaryWest

Monday, February 25, 2013
Has Kei lost all his teeth in some sort of heroic diving headed goal attempt or has he got gum shields in?

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MancCanary

Monday, February 25, 2013