An uninspiring affair at Carrow Road ended in a goalless draw between Norwich and Newcastle.

Gabriel Obertan had a well-struck shot smartly saved by Canaries' keeper Mark Bunn but chances were in short supply.

Norwich defender Russell Martin went close in the second half, only to see his long-range shot hit the post.

Anthony Pilkington had a late chance for the home side but, after cutting inside, his 15-yard shot was saved by keeper Tim Krul.

Pardew pleased with point

While those at Carrow Road may not have found much solace from the match, the draw checked a run of defeats suffered by both camps.

Norwich had lost their last four league games and Newcastle, who are only two points above the relegation zone, earned their first point in four games.

The Magpies, however, remain without an away win this season and never looked like changing that statistic against former manager Chris Hughton's Norwich side.

Newcastle centre-back Fabricio Coloccini, who has asked to leave the club to return to his native Argentina, did start for Alan Pardew's side, along with the club's new signing, right-back Mathieu Debuchy, and the visitors almost caught their hosts cold from the kick-off.

Analysis

Image of John Roder John Roder Match of the Day commentator

"This match will not live long in the memory. The draw halts the run of Premier League defeats from both sides. Russell Martin came closest to breaking the deadlock but in truth this was a very poor game indeed."

Canaries' centre-back Sebastien Bassong let a long ball go, only for Obertan to steal in behind him and deliver a low cross for striker Papiss Cisse which was intercepted by keeper Mark Bunn.

Obertan also had a 25-yard effort saved by Bunn but that was a rare moment of excitement in a disappointing match.

Both sides lacked any bite to their attack, with Cisse struggling to fill the void left by Demba Ba, who has joined Chelsea.

The home side's struggles were epitomised when they failed to make the most of a counter-attack which pitted three of their players against two back-tracking Newcastle defenders.

The move ended with Simeon Jackson pulling the ball back for Wes Hoolahan, who took a touch instead of shooting first time and let Magpies midfielder James Perch run back to get in a vital tackle.

Norwich hinted there might be an improvement immediately after the break when a lovely move ended with Hoolahan's cross for the in-rushing Bradley Johnson being cleared by Obertan.

We should have won - Hughton

There was more urgency from the home side in the second half, although Newcastle's dogged defending restricted any clear-cut chances.

The Magpies brought on key midfielder Yohan Cabaye for his first appearance for them since 11 November, while Norwich striker Grant Holt's 67th-minute introduction signalled his return from a hamstring problem.

Neither could help break the deadlock, although Pilkington did threaten a goal when he cut inside before having his shot saved by Krul.

Pilkington also went close in the final moments of the match but could not divert Holt's header across goal into the net.

Norwich manager Chris Hughton:

"Our final ball and our delivery from set plays let us down.

"On the balance of play we were the better team but you have to score goals and we weren't able to do that.

"Certainly, in the end it was not a bad point."

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew:

"I don't want to comment too much [about Coloccini]. It's club business and we will talk to him this week."

On the match:

"It was a more favourable result for us than for Norwich as they were the home side. It was two teams that worked hard and restricted the opposition.

"For us it was important to get a clean sheet. We worked hard in the week and it showed.

"I had the luxury of putting some senior players on the pitch and the result showed that. That was a key game. We have Reading at home and Aston Villa away coming up so it is an important time for us.

"Hopefully, we will bring in a couple [of new signings] because we need to be a lot stronger."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (4)

Norwich City

  • 28 Bunn
  • 02 R Martin
  • 05 Bassong
  • 06 Turner
  • 18 Garrido
  • 04 Johnson
  • 07 Snodgrass (E Bennett - 77' )
  • 12 Pilkington
  • 14 Hoolahan
  • 27 Tettey
  • 10 Jackson (Holt - 68' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Rudd
  • 20 Barnett
  • 24 R Bennett
  • 15 Fox
  • 17 E Bennett
  • 09 Holt
  • 37 Kane

Newcastle United

  • 01 Krul
  • 02 Coloccini
  • 03 Santon
  • 06 Williamson
  • 14 Perch
  • 26 Debuchy Booked
  • 08 Anita (Bigirimana - 84' )
  • 18 Gutierrez
  • 22 Marveaux
  • 25 Obertan (Cabaye - 57' )
  • 09 Cisse

Substitutes

  • 37 Harper
  • 34 Tavernier
  • 04 Cabaye
  • 17 Amalfitano
  • 20 Bigirimana
  • 28 Sa Ameobi
  • 30 Ranger
Ref: Taylor
Att: 26,752

Match Stats

Shots

12 9

On target

3 4

Corners

5 4

Fouls

5 6

Live Text Commentary

93:30 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +2:39

Elliott Bennett sends in a cross, Grant Holt takes a shot. Header from close range by Anthony Pilkington misses to the right of the goal.

90:00 +0:57

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mathieu Debuchy on Anthony Pilkington. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Anthony Pilkington, clearance made by Jonas Gutierrez.

89:35

Wesley Hoolahan takes a shot. James Perch gets a block in. Elliott Bennett takes a outswinging corner.

88:48

A cross is delivered by Javier Garrido, Mike Williamson manages to make a clearance.

85:47

Elliott Bennett gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Davide Santon. Yohan Cabaye crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance made by Russell Martin.

82:59

Javier Garrido crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing, Mathieu Debuchy makes a clearance.

82:59 Substitution

Substitution Gael Bigirimana is brought on as a substitute for Vurnon Anita.

82:59 Booking

Booking Mathieu Debuchy is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

82:52

Foul by Mathieu Debuchy on Anthony Pilkington, free kick awarded.

82:21

The ball is delivered by Bradley Johnson, clearance made by Davide Santon.

81:24

Centre by Vurnon Anita, save made by Mark Bunn.

80:54

Elliott Bennett sends in a cross, save by Tim Krul.

79:33

Corner taken by Sylvain Marveaux, Michael Turner makes a clearance. Effort on goal by Fabricio Coloccini from deep inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

79:25

Yohan Cabaye produces a cross, clearance by Anthony Pilkington.

79:14

Yohan Cabaye produces a cross, Michael Turner makes a clearance.

78:16

A cross is delivered by Anthony Pilkington, Tim Krul makes a save. A cross is delivered by Elliott Bennett, save by Tim Krul.

77:29

Handball by Vurnon Anita. Mark Bunn takes the direct free kick.

76:56

The ball is swung over by Mathieu Debuchy, Sebastien Bassong makes a clearance. Corner taken by Sylvain Marveaux from the right by-line, clearance made by Bradley Johnson.

75:32 Substitution

Substitution Robert Snodgrass goes off and Elliott Bennett comes on.

75:32

Anthony Pilkington takes a shot. Save made by Tim Krul. Effort on goal by Bradley Johnson from just inside the area clears the bar.

74:47

Yohan Cabaye delivers the ball. Centre by Jonas Gutierrez, Mark Bunn makes a save.

72:00

Centre by Yohan Cabaye, Sebastien Bassong makes a clearance.

70:42

Anthony Pilkington fouled by Mathieu Debuchy, the ref awards a free kick. Javier Garrido restarts play with the free kick. The ball is sent over by Anthony Pilkington, Mike Williamson makes a clearance. Corner taken by Anthony Pilkington, save by Tim Krul.

69:46

Grant Holt delivers the ball, Fabricio Coloccini manages to make a clearance.

69:35

Anthony Pilkington sends in a cross.

68:30

Free kick awarded for a foul by Robert Snodgrass on Fabricio Coloccini. Tim Krul takes the direct free kick.

66:44 Substitution

Substitution Grant Holt joins the action as a substitute, replacing Simeon Jackson.

66:44

Shot from outside the box by Russell Martin hits the post.

66:29

Centre by Robert Snodgrass, clearance made by Mathieu Debuchy.

65:08

Jonas Gutierrez crosses the ball, Mike Williamson manages to make a clearance.

64:55

Russell Martin sends in a cross, Mike Williamson makes a clearance.

64:12

The ball is swung over by Anthony Pilkington, Mike Williamson makes a clearance.

63:00

Shot from just outside the area by Sylvain Marveaux goes over the bar.

62:05

Effort on goal by Anthony Pilkington from just outside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.

61:13

Simeon Jackson is caught offside. Mike Williamson takes the indirect free kick.

60:56

Jonas Gutierrez sends in a cross, Bradley Johnson makes a clearance.

60:11

Javier Garrido produces a cross, clearance by Davide Santon.

59:45

The ball is sent over by Robert Snodgrass, James Perch manages to make a clearance.

56:08 Substitution

Substitution Gabriel Obertan goes off and Yohan Cabaye comes on.

53:24

Davide Santon takes a shot. Alexander Tettey gets a block in.

52:34

The offside flag is raised against Wesley Hoolahan. Tim Krul takes the free kick.

52:10

Simeon Jackson delivers the ball, clearance made by Mike Williamson.

50:53

Gabriel Obertan delivers the ball.

47:04

Bradley Johnson takes a shot. Gabriel Obertan gets a block in.

46:51

Centre by Wesley Hoolahan, clearance by Gabriel Obertan. Corner taken right-footed by Anthony Pilkington from the left by-line to the near post, Davide Santon manages to make a clearance.

45:17

The ball is delivered by Robert Snodgrass.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:00 +0:07 Half time

Half Time It is the end of the first-half.

43:35

Sylvain Marveaux takes a shot. Clearance made by Bradley Johnson. Corner taken by Vurnon Anita, save by Mark Bunn.

42:18

Mathieu Debuchy produces a cross, Sebastien Bassong makes a clearance. Shot on goal by Gabriel Obertan from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

42:02

Sylvain Marveaux sends in a cross, clearance made by Sebastien Bassong.

41:19

A cross is delivered by Gabriel Obertan, Sebastien Bassong manages to make a clearance.

39:34

Effort from long distance by Anthony Pilkington goes wide right of the goal.

38:04

Free kick awarded for a foul by Anthony Pilkington on Mathieu Debuchy. Tim Krul restarts play with the free kick.

35:17

Davide Santon crosses the ball, clearance made by Sebastien Bassong. Corner taken by Vurnon Anita from the left by-line played to the near post.

34:16

Simeon Jackson is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Mike Williamson.

32:47

Foul by Russell Martin on Davide Santon, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed right-footed by Vurnon Anita, clearance by Russell Martin.

31:47

The assistant referee flags for offside against Robert Snodgrass. Tim Krul restarts play with the free kick.

27:15

Wesley Hoolahan crosses the ball, Robert Snodgrass takes a shot. Tim Krul makes a save.

25:55

Robert Snodgrass takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, clearance by Davide Santon.

24:28

Handball by Sylvain Marveaux. Mark Bunn takes the direct free kick.

23:24

James Perch takes a shot. Blocked by Bradley Johnson.

22:19

Papiss Cisse takes a shot. Save by Mark Bunn.

20:52

Corner taken by Robert Snodgrass, Sebastien Bassong produces a header from close range which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

20:33

The ball is delivered by Simeon Jackson, James Perch makes a clearance.

19:05

The ball is delivered by Gabriel Obertan. The referee penalises Jonas Gutierrez for handball. Mark Bunn takes the free kick.

18:15

Simeon Jackson produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.

16:40

Gabriel Obertan takes a shot. Save by Mark Bunn.

16:30

A cross is delivered by Mathieu Debuchy, Sebastien Bassong makes a clearance.

15:32

Shot from just outside the area by Jonas Gutierrez misses to the right of the target.

15:21

Gabriel Obertan delivers the ball.

14:31

A cross is delivered by Anthony Pilkington, Tim Krul makes a save.

14:04

The ball is delivered by Wesley Hoolahan, Sylvain Marveaux manages to make a clearance.

13:52

The ball is crossed by Wesley Hoolahan, Davide Santon manages to make a clearance.

12:17

Mike Williamson concedes a free kick for a foul on Simeon Jackson. Javier Garrido takes the free kick.

11:52

The ball is delivered by Jonas Gutierrez.

11:17

The ball is swung over by Anthony Pilkington, Mike Williamson makes a clearance.

11:06

The ball is swung over by Anthony Pilkington, Jonas Gutierrez manages to make a clearance.

10:57

Anthony Pilkington sends in a cross, Davide Santon makes a clearance.

5:12

Fabricio Coloccini concedes a free kick for a foul on Robert Snodgrass. Robert Snodgrass delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Fabricio Coloccini manages to make a clearance.

3:19

Foul by Alexander Tettey on Jonas Gutierrez, free kick awarded. Tim Krul takes the direct free kick.

1:35

Sebastien Bassong fouled by Vurnon Anita, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Mark Bunn.

0:09

Gabriel Obertan produces a cross, save by Mark Bunn.

0:00

The match gets underway.

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