NORWICH PUSHED NEWCASTLE closer to relegation and boosted their own hopes of Premier League survival as Martin Olsson’s last-gasp strike clinched a dramatic 3-2 win.
Alex Neil’s side had twice squandered the lead in their crunch clash at Carrow Road, with Newcastle substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic levelling following Timm Klose’s opener and then again with four minutes remaining after Dieumerci Mbokani’s blistering strike.
But Sweden defender Olsson bagged his first Norwich goal since September 2014 in stoppage-time to send the Canaries six points clear of the relegation zone and leave second bottom Newcastle six points adrift of safety with a game in hand.
Newcastle’s eighth successive away league loss means they are without a win in their last six matches and have taken one point from their three games since Rafael Benitez replaced the sacked Steve McClaren.
Norwich were thrashed 6-2 by Newcastle at St James’ Park in October, but the Canaries were the dominant force this time.
They deservedly broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage-time when Newcastle’s sloppy marking allowed Swiss defender Klose to rise unchallenged to head Robbie Brady’s free-kick past Karl Darlow.
Mitrovic leapt to meet Townsend’s superb cross with a header that drew Newcastle level in the 71st minute but parity lasted less than three minutes.
Congo striker Mbokani did all the damage himself, driving into the left side of the area and smashing a powerful shot high past Darlow.
With four minutes left, Newcastle thought they had rescued a point when Norwich midfielder Gary O’Neil handled in the area after the ball bounced up awkwardly and Mitrovic stepped up to slam home the penalty.
But that set the stage for a remarkable finale as Olsson tried his luck with an angled shot that crept past several defenders before nestling in the bottom corner to spark wild celebrations all around Carrow Road.
Elsewhere, Sunderland were held scoreless by West Brom and remain in 18th position – four points behind Norwich but with a game less played.
© AFP 2016
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