On the basis variety is the spice of life, John Ruddy's routine brilliance is duly noted again, but Elliott Bennett's urgings sowed the first seeds of doubt in the Newcastle ranks after a ferocious early home onslaught.

Bennett was Norwich's only real outlet to raid during the home side's first half surge. The former Brighton man previously excelled down the middle against Swansea in what is now turning out to be a memorable away success given the Swans' continued rise.

Here, Bennett held his station wide on the right – offering width and an out ball. His cross in the 54th minute should have brought an equaliser for Zak Whitbread who rose majestically barely six yards out but his snap header merely tested Tim Krul's reflexes.

The introduction of fresh blood for the visitors late on saw Bennett re-deployed on the opposite flank. Another probing cross in the final minute was acrobatically hammered over by Andrew Surman. City's final decisive edge may have been lacking, but Bennett did more than most to test Newcastle's resolve; once Ruddy had underlined his obvious class.