Matthew Etherington raids forward (Getty Images).
By Paul Brown, PA Sport
Click here for full match stats
Peter Crouch shrugged off an ankle injury to stretch Norwich's unbeaten run to
seven matches with a headed second-half equaliser against West Ham at Upton
Park, after team-mate Marc Edworthy had conceded an early own goal.
The loan signing from Aston Villa took advantage of slack marking in the
Hammers defence to punish a Hammers side who looked toothless without suspended
strikers Jermain Defoe and David Connolly in caretaker manager Trevor Brooking's
penultimate game in charge.
Crouch was overshadowed by fellow loan signing Darren Huckerby last month, who
hit three goals in successive games for Norwich.
But the 6ft 7in striker was the key man here, and received a standing ovation
from the visiting fans when he was hauled off in the dying moments.
The Hammers went ahead after just four minutes when Neil Mellor capitalised on
a slip in the Norwich defence to fire in a dangerous low cross which the hapless
Edworthy conspired to turn into his own net.
But Huckerby counter-attacked immediately for the visitors, surging into the
penalty area, where Tomas Repka was on hand to clear the danger with a
last-ditch tackle.
The Canaries seemed strangers in defence, with Mellor continuing to cause
problems, but when Matthew Etherington was denied a penalty after a clash with
Kevin Harper, he earned a booking for a rash reaction.
Crouch then turned well from Craig Fleming's cross to fire a shot from just
outside the area past the far upright of England number one David James, but a
strong run from Etherington could have produced better results shortly
afterwards.
The former Tottenham winger stormed into a gap in the Norwich defence before
unleashing a left-foot shot into the sidenetting.
Hammers defender Tomas Repka, treading a fine line all night, eventually
received a booking for a late challenge on Huckerby, who needed extensive
treatment and was replaced by Mark Rivers at half time.
But Norwich took control after the break with West Ham looking reluctant to
press home their advantage.
The visiting pressure eventually told in the 63rd minute when Crouch rose
highest to head home a left-wing Harper cross with James rooted to his line.
Midfielder Damien Francis almost gave Norwich the lead just two minutes later,
cracking a left-foot shot from 20 yards against the post, but Mellor then
spurned a glorious chance to restore the home side's advantage, sending a
close-range header weakly wide.
Gary Holt tested James from distance with the full-time whistle approaching,
and Brooking was given another headache when Etherington limped off injured.
Teams: West Ham James, Repka, Dailly, Pearce, Quinn, Alexandersson,
Horlock (Lee 46), Etherington (Ferdinand 84), Carrick,
Garcia (Hutchison 69), Mellor.
Subs Not Used: Bywater, Kilgallon.
Booked: Etherington, Repka.
Goals: Edworthy 6 og.
Norwich Green, Drury, Mackay, Fleming, Edworthy, McVeigh,
Holt, Francis, Harper (Mulryne 76), Huckerby (Rivers 46),
Crouch (Roberts 90).
Subs Not Used: Lewis, Easton.
Booked: Francis.
Goals: Crouch 63.
Att: 31,308
Ref: S Tomlin (E Sussex).
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