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A look at Norwich City openers ahead of Championship fixtures release
It can be quite a while between drinks if Norwich City’s list of opening day wins is anything to go by.
The most recent one was just three years ago – but it was only the third success on day one since the turn of the century. An Adam Idah goal 10 minutes from time was enough to clinch a 1-0 win at Huddersfield in a season at the start of a season when the Canaries reinforced their yo-yo label by returning to the top flight at the first attempt.
“Huddersfield pressed us very well and we had to work hard but we kept our composure and to get that first win will do a lot for the group,” said then head coach Daniel Farke.
It doesn’t always work that way, of course: a thumping 4-1 win at Blackburn on the opening day of the 2016-17 season teed up the season well enough, thanks to goals from Jacob Murphy, Wes Hoolahan, Cameron Jerome and Steven Naismith.
“We wanted to play in a manner which people are going to sit up and take notice of us and know that we mean business this season, and we did all that, which was really pleasing,” said then manager Alex Neil.
But Neil was unable to recreate the Carrow Road spark as he sought an immediate Premier League return and City finished the season with Alan Irvine in caretaker charge. They occupied eight spot in the end – but at least City fans will remember it for being the start of a new era when Stuart Webber brought in Daniel Farke.
The only other opening day success was back in 2002, when City beat Grimsby 4-0 at Carrow Road – with Northern Ireland duo Phil Mulryne and Paul McVeigh bagging two goals each. It was just three months after City’s play-off final loss to Birmingham. Curiously, once again a four-goal opening day haul ended with the Canaries occupying eighth spot once the season concluded.
The 1990s was a much better period for City with five opening day wins.
The best of them speaks for itself, with City winning 4-2 at Arsenal on the first day of the 1992-93 inaugural Premier League campaign.
Since the 1958-59 season – the first upon reorganisation – City have won 22 opening games, 13 of them at Carrow Road, drawn 20 and lost 23.
It is, as they say, a mixed bag…and whatever the result, opening day is by no means an indicator of what is to follow.
