Norwich City v West Ham
West Ham rescue point at Norwich City thanks to Mark Noble strike
Dimitri Payet celebrated signing his new West Ham contract by helping them rescue a 2-2 draw at Norwich.
The Hammers looked down and out after falling two goals behind after strikes by Robbie Brady and Wes Hoolahan, with City on the verge of a precious win in their battle to beat the drop.
But Payet, handed an improved deal this week to ward off big-money interest from China, pulled one back before setting up the equaliser for Mark Noble.
It was a bitter blow for Norwich, who remain in the bottom three despite ending a run of five straight league defeats.
City looked determined to right the wrongs of the previous few games straight from kickoff and almost took the lead in the opening minute, Russell Martin driving just over from 20 yards.
Brady then curled a free-kick inches too high, Steven Naismith scuffed a good chance wide and Hoolahan's effort from a quickly-taken corner was just off target.
West Ham, perhaps not so fresh from their 120-minute FA Cup marathon against Liverpool in midweek, carved out only the occasional chance in the first half although John Ruddy, recalled in the Norwich goal in preference to Declan Rudd, did well to tip over a fierce, angled drive from Enner Valencia.
But in the 54th minute Norwich took a deserved lead when Brady robbed Michail Antonio midway inside the Hammers half, charged forward unchallenged and thumped an unstoppable shot past Adrian and into the top corner.
It was the summer signing from Hull's second goal for the Canaries -- his first also came against West Ham in a 2-2 draw at Upton Park in September.
Ten minutes later Norwich doubled their lead when Hoolahan fed Naismith on the 18-yard line and continued his run into the area.
As the Scot's shot cannoned between the legs of James Collins it fell perfectly for Hoolahan to sweep past Adrian.
West Ham hit back when sub Victor Moses burst into the penalty area and held off two challenges before firing towards goal.
Ruddy got down well to palm out the effort but it dropped straight to Payet, who smashed it into the roof of the net.
Suddenly the Hammers found their second wind and within three minutes they were level, Payet this time turning provider.
The Frenchman collected the ball on the byline and picked out Noble on the edge of the area, with the midfielder blasting a first-time shot past Ruddy.
Both sides had chances to win it, with Moses driving over for the visitors and Nathan Redmond inches from a stoppage-time strike for City.
Head-To-Head
Game Information
Norwich, England
English Premier League Standings
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFC Bournemouth | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arsenal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aston Villa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brentford | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chelsea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coventry City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Crystal Palace | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Everton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fulham | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hull City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ipswich Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Leeds United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Liverpool | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Manchester City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Manchester United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Newcastle United | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nottingham Forest | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sunderland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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