Two off as Newcastle and Norwich draw

28 January 2014 22:16

Norwich and Newcastle both had a man sent off at the end of a bad-tempered 0-0 Barclays Premier League draw at Carrow Road.

Striker Loic Remy and Norwich midfielder Bradley Johnson were each shown a red card by referee Chris Foy after pushing and then squaring up head-to-head on the touchline.

It was a frustrating end to the night for the visitors, who travelled to Norfolk without key midfielder Yohan Cabaye, set for a £20million switch to Paris St Germain, but should have left with all three points after dominating the first half and hitting the woodwork three times.

Newcastle ought to have taken command of the match after dominating the opening half hour.

Remy's close-range effort was saved by John Ruddy before Norwich midfielder Johnson kicked a cross onto the post.

France forward Remy then hit the outside of the other upright with a curling 20-yard effort before Hatem Ben Arfa drilled a lovely cross from Sammy Ameobi over the bar.

Newcastle keeper Tim Krul saved a low 20-yard effort from Gary Hooper, before tempers flared as Scotland winger Robert Snodgrass was involved in a heated exchange with home supporters in the City Stand, who then booed their team off at the interval.

Remy was denied by the woodwork again on 59 minutes, when his free-kick crashed against the crossbar.

On 77 minutes, Norwich almost snatched the lead when Hooper's goalbound shot was pushed up onto the crossbar by Krul.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men when Remy and Johnson exchanged pushes before squaring up head-to-head, leaving referee Foy little option but to brandish both a red card.

Snodgrass almost won it at the death when his far-post header was somehow clawed away by Krul.

It was a bright start by Newcastle in terrible conditions as the rain lashed down at Carrow Road.

Remy was fouled by Snodgrass on the left side of the penalty area, but Davide Santon's free-kick was straight into the wall.

Norwich finally came to life when a clever turn from Hooper saw the ball fed back to Leroy Fer and the Dutchman's 20-yard drive was deflected behind.

Newcastle, though, almost swept ahead on 18 minutes.

Full-back Martin Olsson gave the ball away in midfield and Moussa Sissoko darted away down the right channel before cutting a ball back across the six-yard box.

Remy arrived on queue, but his snapshot was saved a point-blank range by England goalkeeper Ruddy.

The Norwich goal continued to lead a charmed life as a left-wing cross from Remy was knocked against the base of the post by Canaries midfielder Johnson.

A couple of minutes later and Remy broke down the left flank before curling a lovely strike goalwards, which struck the outside of the other upright.

Frustrations boiled over as Scotland winger Snodgrass was involved in a heated exchange with home supporters in the City Stand after another poor corner before Hughton's men were booed off at half-time.

Norwich at least looked more positive following the restart.

However, Newcastle were soon back on the offensive and thought they should have been given a penalty when Ben Arfa went down under a sliding challenge from Bennett, but referee Foy awarded a goal kick.

The woodwork saved Norwich again on the hour.

Ricky van Wolfswinkel fouled Ben Arfa on the edge of the penalty area, and Remy whipped the free-kick up over the wall, only to see his effort crash against the crossbar.

Norwich then almost snatched the lead when Redmond's cross from the left was turned goalwards by Hooper, but Krul was equal to it and pushed the ball up onto the crossbar.

The match turned ugly on 82 minutes when Remy and Johnson exchanged pushes before squaring up head-to-head on the nearside touchline.

A melee ensued, before when order was restored the referee correctly showed both men a red card.

Snodgrass could have finished the hero in the final minute when he headed a deep left-wing ball from Redmond down towards the corner, but somehow Krul made a crucial save.

Source: PA