The big game of the weekend in the battle against Premier League relegation came at Carrow Road as two of the bottom four, Norwich City and Newcastle United, faced off.
It looked as if Aleksandar Mitrovic's double had rescued a point for the visitors, but Norwich snatched the points in added time through Martin Olsson's fine strike that capped a thrilling contest.
Relive it all with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below as Norwich moved four points clear of the bottom three.
Afternoon folks! There might be more glamour in Liverpool-Tottenham later, but this is arguably the biggest game of the weekend in the Premier League as Norwich and Newcastle face off at Carrow Road.
Click here to assess how the table looks heading into this match. Four points from a possible six before the international break moved Norwich up and out of the relegation zone, with Newcastle down in 19th and three points behind the Canaries. North-East duo Newcastle and Sunderland do both have a game in hand, though.
It certainly looks like a three-team race for one safety spot, although Crystal Palace's woeful form since Christmas means that they might get dragged into the scrap if they don't get a win or two soon.
So Alex Neil's Norwich come into this match in better form having ended their 10-match wait for a league win by edging out West Bromwich Albion after holding top-four hopefuls and Champions League quarter-finalists Manchester City to a goalless draw. It was a good point against Man City, but Norwich need wins at home.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
The Canaries have failed to win any of their last five Premier League games at Carrow Road (D2 L3) and surely must improve in front of their own fans if they are to avoid the drop. After today, their next home game is against Sunderland in two weeks. No win in either match would certainly spell trouble.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Norwich's two recent results is that they kept clean sheets. January signing Timm Klose has impressed of late and if he can lead the hosts to another shutout today it would be the first time this season they've had three in a row.
As for Newcastle, it has not really gone to plan so far for Rafael Benitez since his shock appointment as the Magpies' new boss last month, picking up just one points from the Spaniard's two games at the helm.
Benitez oversaw a narrow 1-0 defeat at leaders Leicester City in his first match before Aleksandar Mitrovic rescued a point in the Tyne-Wear derby two weeks ago. It sent St James' Park wild and put a stop to Newcastle's horrible record in recent years against their North-East rivals, but Benitez needs a win badly.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
Newcastle have won just one of their last eight matches (D1, L7) and although they have a game in hand, that is against Man City and you probably wouldn't expect them to get anything from that.
Only in one previous top-flight campaign have Newcastle had fewer points from 30 games than this season (24 in 1977-78) and the Magpies were relegated that season. They are five points worse off than at this stage of the 2008-09 season, when they were last relegated from the Premier League.
Worrying times, then, for the Toon Army, but they do have a good recent record against Norwich, winning five and drawing two of their last seven matches against the Canaries.
Benitez also enjoys playing Norwich having won all three of his previous encounters with the Norfolk-based side.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
More of Newcastle's success against Norwich has been at home, though. Their last win at Carrow Road was a 2-1 success in January 1994, in which was the first Premier League meeting between the sides. The last time these two met at Carrow Road in January 2014 it was a goalless draw, with both sides having a man sent off late on.
Right, time for some team news wouldn't you say?
NORWICH XI: Ruddy; Wisdom, Bennett, Klose, Olsson; Jarvis, Howson, O'Neil, Brady; Naismith; Mbokani
Subs: Rudd, Bassong, Jerome, Bamford, Hoolahan, Mulumbu, Redmond
Subs: Rudd, Bassong, Jerome, Bamford, Hoolahan, Mulumbu, Redmond
NEWCASTLE XI: Darlow; Janmaat, Mbemba, Taylor, Anita; Tiote, Shelvey; Townsend, Wijnaldum, Sissoko; Cisse
Subs: Woodman, Sterry, Lascelles, De Jong, Perez, Riviere, Mitrovic
Subs: Woodman, Sterry, Lascelles, De Jong, Perez, Riviere, Mitrovic
Alex Neil makes three changes to the Norwich side that beat West Brom last time out. Ryan Bennett, Andre Wisdom and Steven Naismith are in for Sebastien Bassong, Russell Martin and Patrick Bamford.
Dieumerci Mbokani keeps his place up top, even though he was caught up in the recent terror attacks in Brussels, describing it as a "miracle" that he was not killed at Zaventam Airport.
As for Newcastle, Benitez has rung the changes. Rob Elliot suffered a serious knee injury while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, so Karl Darlow makes his second Premier League appearance between the sticks. Jack Colback is starting a two-game ban after picking up 10th yellow card against Sunderland, so in comes Vurnon Anita at left-back.
There's three other changes and Mitrovic does not keep his place despite netting the equaliser a couple of weeks ago. He, Jamaal Lascelles and Ayoze Perez drop to the bench, with Papiss Cisse, Cheick Tiote and Steven Taylor coming in.
PREDICTION: Right then, which way will this one go? Such a big game at the bottom and I can't pick a winner – 1-1.
KICKOFF! Off we go at Carrow Road then. Lovely day in the East of England. Newcastle in their white tops and blue shorts today.
UPDATE: First goal of the 3pm kickoffs in the top flight comes at Arsenal as Alexis Sanchez gives them the lead against Watford. Earlier today, Chelsea cruised past Aston Villa in the lunchtime kickoff. Villa could be relegated next weekend.
At Carrow Road, not too much going on as both sides feel each other out. So much at stake here.
Today's referee is Mike Dean and he loves playing advantage more than any ref, although I think he's just made a mistake here. Mbokani was scythed down and everyone seemed to stop, but Dean didn't blow his whistle and played on. Norwich tried to set Naismith away, but Newcastle managed to get back and clear. Magpies players not happy there as the game did appear to have stopped.
CLOSE! Newcastle threaten for the first time as Shelvey whips a cross into the middle that Cisse flicks towards goal. It's a clever effort from the striker as he used the pace of the ball to loop it over Ruddy but just over the bar.
First shot on target from either side comes from Naismith, but it's a pretty tame effort and Darlow makes a comfortable save.
Big game for all the players out there, but loads of pressure on Darlow. It's just his second Premier League appearance and he did not impress on his first by conceding a soft goal in the 1-0 defeat to West Brom.
DISALLOWED! I was just about to say that Benitez will be pretty happy as his side is having more of the ball, but Norwich now have it in the net. Howson with a charge down the right and he crosses for Mbokani to slide home. The striker wheels away, but the flag is up and rightly so. He really should not have let himself stray offside there.
Almost a dodgy moment for Darlow as he drops a simple loose ball in the area before regathering at the second attempt. Lucky that there was no Norwich player closer to pounce there.
Lovely interplay between Naismith and Mbokani, but the former can't find a teammate with his cross as Taylor sticks out a leg to block the ball behind for a corner.
Tiote reacts angrily after Dean blew for a free kick and he could have easily been booked for that reaction, but the ref lets it go.
UPDATE: Plenty of goals elsewhere with City 3-0 up at Bournemouth, Stoke leading Swansea and West Ham and Palace one apiece. Nothing between Sunderland and West Brom, though, which is the most important result for these two.
It was a decent start by Newcastle, but since the 10-minute mark Norwich have been the far better side. Can the Canaries find a way through?
SAVE! Almost! Nice passing releases Brady down the right, but he can't work the ball onto his strong left foot so takes a shot with his right. Darlow stands up tall and beats it out.
SAVE! Darlow with a superb stop as Norwich continue to knock on the Newcastle door. Newcastle gave the ball away cheaply and Norwich broke through Wisdom. He fed Naismith and the Scot then cut back for Mbokani, whose low effort was somehow kept out by Darlow's left foot.
Norwich will wonder how they aren't in front here. If Newcastle can get through to half time still goalless then they'll have got away with it. Second-best so far.
Shelvey with an incisive through-ball to Anita charging down the left, but the left-back can't quite take it in his stride and has to rush an early cross that goes over everyone in the middle.
Shelvey finds some space about 22 yards out and takes a good first touch to get the ball out of his feet before shooting quickly. He got under it a little and the ball rises over the top.
Newcastle are lucky to be level, but they seem to have ridden the storm and now it's more of an even contest again.
Wijnaldum, who scored four against Norwich in the reverse, has been very quiet today.
© AFP
© AFP
GOAL! NORWICH 1-0 NEWCASTLE (TIMM KLOSE)
Newcastle can't get to half time! Brady whips over a free kick from the right and Klose is up to guide the ball home. He got up so well and you have to say that Norwich deserve that lead. Just before half time as well!
HALF-TIME: NORWICH 1-0 NEWCASTLE
It's Norwich who lead in this six-pointer then thanks to Klose's goal right on the stroke of half time. The Canaries were the much better side for most of that half and deserve to be in front. Newcastle will be gutted, though, having ridden the storm for most of the half. Back soon for the second 45, don't go anywhere!
Almost time for the second half at Carrow Road, but before we get back underway here are the other half-time scores: Arsenal 2-0 Watford, Bournemouth 0-3 Man City, Stoke 1-0 Swansea, Sunderland 0-0 West Brom, West Ham 2-1 Crystal Palace.
NEWCASTLE SUB: Half-time change from Benitez, with Perez on for Tiote. Attacking change that.
KICKOFF! And we're back underway. Can the Magpies fight back, or will Norwich pull further clear of the drop zone?
Norwich picking right up where they left off as Wisdom feeds Jarvis, whose low cross into the box fails to find a teammate but needs to be put behind by Janmaat.
Newcastle streak forward from the resulting corner through Sissoko, but Norwich get back well and manage to win back possession.
Cisse scored that memorable goal against Chelsea a couple of seasons back and he's just tried a similar outside-of-the-boot effort that sailed over the top.
MISS! Goodness me, what a miss! Townsend's shot is parried out by Ruddy and Cisse is there but somehow shoots wide. I think the flag was up, but replays show that the striker was onside and I'm not quite sure how he fired wide.
So Newcastle spurn the only real chance they've had so far. How long before Benitez goes for it by throwing on Mitrovic?
The big man's header still separates the two teams
On your head, son! #NORNEW [1-0] pic.twitter.com/rEyuLieJ3W — Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) April 2, 2016
Norwich want a penalty as Jarvis goes down in the box, but he had taken a heavy touch and that would have been very harsh on Newcastle.
NEWCASTLE SUB: Here comes Mitrovic, taking left-back Anita's place. How are Newcastle lining up now?!
Looks like Wijnaldum might be playing out at left-back. Not sure Newcastle fans will want to see him there.
SAVE! Newcastle beginning to see more of the ball in the Norwich half now and Mitrovic has his first shot on goal, controlling well with his chest before getting off a volley that Ruddy holds well.
GOAL! NORWICH 1-1 NEWCASTLE (ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC)
He's done it again! Mitrovic was Newcastle's hero a fortnight ago and he's equalised again, heading Townsend's cross over Ruddy and into the net. It seemed to loop up off Bennett, but Mitrovic should still be credited with it.
GOAL! NORWICH 2-1 NEWCASTLE (DIEUMERCI MBOKANI)
Newcastle were level for just a couple of minutes. Carrow Road goes wild as Mbokani cuts in from the left and fires high into the net. Questions have to be asked of Darlow, who seemed to dive past that.
NORWICH SUB: The Canaries make a change, with Nathan Redmond on for Jarvis.
Newcastle fans will wonder why Mitrovic did not start today. He's just gone close again, heading wide Shelvey's cross.
Mitrovic up again in the middle, but Bennett controls in the six-yard box before Ruddy grabs the loose ball. Just over 10 minutes to go at Carrow Road. Can Norwich see it out? Sunderland still goalless with West Brom, by the way.
NORWICH SUB: Naismith's job is done for the day as Hoolahan takes his place.
NORWICH SUB: Standing ovation for Mbokani as he is replaced by Jerome.
PENALTY TO NEWCASTLE! Wisdom handles in the box.
GOAL! NORWICH 2-2 NEWCASTLE (ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC, PEN.)
We're all square again as Mitrovic finds the corner from 12 yards. Not quite sure what Wisdom was doing raising his arms like that in the box. We're all set for a barnstorming last five minutes!
CLOSE! Mitrovic going for a hat-trick as he heads wide Wijnaldum's cross at the back post.
It's Newcastle doing more of the pressing now. Surely they can't nick this?!
SAVE! What a save! Newcastle think they've won it as Cisse's header seems destined for the corner until Ruddy gets there to tip wide. Four minutes added on.
GOAL! NORWICH 3-2 NEWCASTLE (MARTIN OLSSON)
Oh my word! Newcastle looked the more likely to nick it, but Olsson has just fired into the far corner in the third minute of stoppage time. Huge, huge goal in the fight to beat the drop!
FULL-TIME: NORWICH 3-2 NEWCASTLE
Jubilant scenes from those in yellow and green as Norwich steal the points in the 93rd minute and deny Newcastle a point. What a massive, massive result that is. Norwich pull four points clear of the drop zone.
Click here to see how the table looks after some big results this afternoon. Newcastle are now six points from safety. Going down?
Anyway, time for us to say goodbye. Stick around for plenty more reaction and our live coverage of the evening game between Liverpool and Spurs can be found here. See ya!
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
Pascal Lemesre
