Norwich 0 West Brom 1: Russell Martin promises protesting Norwich fans players are hurting too
Relegation watch: Norwich City captain Russell Martin has called for togetherness from players and supporters
While Fulham were giving themselves faint hopes of survival with their 2-1 victory at Aston Villa on Saturday, Norwich City were sucked closer to the relegation zone with a 1-0 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion which sparked angry scenes among supporters at Carrow Road.
Hundreds of clapperboards, which had been put on the seats to improve the atmosphere, were thrown onto the field at the end, one hitting manager Chris Hughton. Stewards had to intervene when Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy confronted one fan, while captain Russell Martin was involved in an exchange with another supporter. Chants of “We want Hughton out” rang out, and a group of fans later gathered outside the ground to vent their frustrations.
“I spoke earlier this week about how good the fans are, and they are, but against West Brom was disappointing,” Martin said afterwards. “This is now a time more than ever to stick together. It hurts us as players. We are as disappointed as anyone in this stadium. It means as much to myself, to John [Ruddy], people who have been here a long time and played a lot of games for this club and we need them [the fans] more than ever. They need to get behind us.”
Norwich are five points above the relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s visit to 18th-placed Fulham, but then finish the campaign off against Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Cardiff City look doomed after their 3-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace. Their manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has won two of his 13 league games since replacing Malky Mackay in January, admitted: “We need to produce a miracle to stay up now.”
Fulham manager Felix Magath paid tribute to Hugo Rodallega, who scored his side’s late winner. “He’s shown he’s in good shape,” Magath said.
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