NORWICH CITY 1 CITY 3
League Division 1
21st January 1978
Attendance 20,397
Scorers
City Kidd(20 & 70), Owen(76)
Norwich Gibbins(65)
Ref J Sewell
City Corrigan, Clements, Donachie, Booth, Watson, Owen, Barnes, Bell, Kidd, Hartford, Tueart – Sub Palmer(unused)
Norwich Keelan, Bond, Sullivan, Ryan, Jones, Powell, Lythgoe, Suggett, Gibbins, Reeves, Peters – Sub Davies
FROM THE PRESS BOX
HE’S THE SAME OLD BELL
JAMES LAWTON WRITING IN THE DAILY EXPRESS 23RD JANUARY 1978
He doesn’t explode in the old way. His runs, though full of meaning and bite, tend to be shorter. But the big fear is over. He remains recognisably Colin Bell.
Since his return from the long winter of his career Manchester City have taken 13 points from seven League matches. On Saturday they rolled over game, but outgunned Norwich City 3-1.
It is no time for leaders Forest to believe that the race is over. Six points can vanish in a crowded spring week.
Tony Book, from whom optimism usually has to be winkled rather than drawn, agrees. The Manchester City manager says: “About March we’ll be able to lift our heads and take another look at the situation. In the meantime we keep this run going. If we keep playing as we have been doing there has to be something for us in the spring. Forest have to come to us, and they have to go to Liverpool. They are taking all the pressure. Bell’s contribution? Magnificent. He has given us so much extra balance. The truth is we still forget how good he is. Did you see how many times he got into tremendous positions at the post and we didn’t give it because we didn’t see it.”
Martin Peters and Colin Suggett briefly prospered in the second half. New boy Phil Lythgoe showed a nice turn of speed, and striker Roger Gibbins drove in a lovely left-footed goal.
But mostly you marveled at John Bond’s achievement this season with such slender resources. And admired the range of Manchester talent.
Bell played as though aided with radar. Asa Hartford looked as if he was on a private productivity deal. Brian Kidd ensured that Mike Channon languishes out of the team for at least another week with two hungrily taken goals.
Peter Barnes still has to learn that speed and body feint is only half the story. But then he made nonsense of the lecture by virtually deciding the game early in the second half. Gary Owen, who scored the final goal, looks a certain international.
Forest need to keep blazing. Right to the finishing line.