Darren Huckerby crowned a blistering performance with a magnificent solo goal as Norwich underlined their First Division title credentials with victory over play-off chasing Wigan.
Just hours after Arsenal's Thierry Henry had made a claim for goal of the season with a superb individual strike against Liverpool, Huckerby produced his
own contender to secure victory for the hosts and open up a three-point lead over West Brom at the top of the table.
Picking the ball up just 15 yards inside the Wigan half after 72 minutes, the former Manchester City forward tore through a retreating defence and withstood
the challenge of Jason De Vos and Ian Breckin before deftly finding the far
corner of the net.
It was just reward for Huckerby, unarguably the man of the match, and doubled
the lead which had been given to Norwich courtesy of an almost equally
impressive goal by Mathias Svensson.
Wigan fans will point to a disallowed goal with the score at 1-0, but a
disappointing evening for the travelling support was completed late on when
Jimmy Bullard's long-range effort came back off the crossbar.
Wigan's John Filan was the busier of the two goalkeepers during an
entertaining first half which saw a host of chances, but neither side could
supply the required quality in the final third.
However, when Svensson did, it was worth waiting for, a superbly executed
curler into the far corner 10 minutes after the interval. Inevitably, Huckerby
was involved in the build-up.
There was no shortage of attacking intent early on.
Filan was forced to tip over a fierce third-minute drive from Norwich
centre-half Malky Mackay drive, while Alan Mahon headed wide at the other end.
Two attempts from Norwich striker Leon McKenzie were sandwiched by Bullard's
25-yard strike, which was safely gathered by Norwich goalkeeper Robert Green,
who then saw a deflected effort from the same player flash narrowly wide.
Filan twice had to be alert to deny McKenzie late in the half, and, if we he
was not unduly troubled by a near-post effort, he needed to show smart reflexes
to keep out another attempt which was destined for the top corner.
Norwich could reasonably argue to have been denied a penalty at the start of
the second half when Breckin's foul on Huckerby just inside the area was
punished with only a free-kick, but any sense of injustice evaporated within two
minutes.
Huckerby, a constant menace to the Wigan rearguard throughout, embarked on a
run across the edge of the box which was halted only by De Vos.
However, his clearance cannoned off team-mate Bullard into the path of the
unmarked Svensson, who beat Filan with a fine left-footed strike from just
outside the area
Damien Francis failed to test Filan with a free header from Huckerby's
left-wing cross, while substitute Gary Teale had a goal ruled out when the
assistant referee spotted Roberts lashing out at Mackay during the build-up.
Svensson could only hit the post in the 69th minute with a considerably easier
chance than the one he converted, but Huckerby's piece of individual brilliance
ensured Norwich's disappointment did not last long.
Teams
Norwich Green, Edworthy, Mackay, Fleming, Drury, Holt,
Francis, McKenzie (Brennan 80), Cooper (Mulryne 90), Svensson,
Huckerby.
Subs Not Used: Crichton, Henderson, Jarvis.
Booked: McKenzie.
Goals: Svensson 55, Huckerby 72.
Wigan Filan, Baines, De Vos, Breckin, Eaden,
Liddell (McCulloch 70), Bullard, Jarrett (Farrelly 75),
Mahon (Teale 59), Ellington, Jason Roberts.
Subs Not Used: Walsh, Mitchell.
Booked: Eaden, Jason Roberts.
Att: 23,446
Ref: P Armstrong (Berkshire).
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