Soccer

Two sent off as Newcastle hit woodwork three times in stalemate with Norwich

Loic Remy and Bradley Johnson see red after squaring up to each other

John Ruddy of Norwich City looks on as team-mate Bradley Johnson almost puts the ball in his own net during the Premier League match against Newcastle United at Carrow Road . Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
John Ruddy of Norwich City looks on as team-mate Bradley Johnson almost puts the ball in his own net during the Premier League match against Newcastle United at Carrow Road . Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
Tue Jan 28 2014 - 22:43

Norwich City 0 Newcastle United 0

Norwich and Newcastle both had a man sent off at the end of a bad-tempered 0-0 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 €24 million 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.

READ MORE

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 goalkeeper 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 on to 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.

NORWICH CITY: Ruddy; Martin, Olsson, Fer, R Bennett, Bassong, Nguena, Snodgrass, Johnson, Hooper (Tettey, 84 , van Wolfswinkel (Elmander , 71), Pilkington (Redmond , 71). Booked: Fer. Sent off: Johnson. Subs not used: Whittaker, Bunn, Garrido, Becchio

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Krul; Debuchy, Santon, Tioté, Williamson, Taylor, Ben Arfa (Sh Ameobi, 75 ), Anita, Remy , Sissoko, Sa Ameobi (Haidara, 87 ). Booked: Sissoko. Sent off: Remy. Subs not used: Yanga-Mbiwa, Gosling, Elliot, Dummett, Armstrong .

Referee: C Foy