Newcastle plunged deeper into relegation mire after five-goal thriller

The Magpies came from behind twice at Carrow Road, with two goals from second-half substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic cancelling out strikes from Timm Klose and Dieumerci Mbokani.

However, just as Newcastle looked to be claiming what might have been a priceless point, Martin Olsson drilled in a low 92nd-minute strike that could well prove the goal that condemns Rafael Benitez’s side to the Championship.

The 3-2 defeat leaves Newcastle six points adrift of Norwich, who remain in 17th position, and while they have a game in hand on the Canaries, it is hard to see how they pick themselves up from such a dispiriting blow.

Newcastle’s players displayed commendable spirit as they rallied in the second half, but they were outplayed for long periods by a Norwich side who will now be confident of retaining their top-flight status.

Having failed to win either of his first two games as Newcastle boss, Rafael Benitez made five alterations to the side that drew with Sunderland prior to the international break.

A couple were enforced, with Rob Elliot injured and Jack Colback unavailable because of suspension, but Benitez also opted to recall Steven Taylor, Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse.

Presumably, he wanted to add some experience to his side, but the move did nothing to enhance Newcastle’s performance level. That the Magpies were only one goal behind at the break was probably more than they deserved.

The visitors created the first half-chance of the afternoon, with Cisse heading Jonjo Shelvey’s ninth-minute cross onto the roof of the net, but that was as good as things got before the interval.

Norwich quickly assumed control, with Mbokani’s physical strength enabling him to repeatedly out-muscle Newcastle’s two centre-halves and the visitors’ problems at left-back all too apparent.

Vurnon Anita deputised in the full-back slot, but he was exposed time and time again as Robbie Brady and Matt Jarvis switched flanks to cause havoc.

Mbokani had the ball in the net in the 17th minute, but the striker was rightly adjudged to have been offside as he side-footed home Jarvis’ cross.

Nevertheless, Norwich continued to dominate, and Newcastle were indebted to Karl Darlow for two superb saves midway through the first half.

The first denied Brady, who was completely unmarked as he side-footed Mbokani’s lay-off towards the far corner, only for Darlow to make a fine sprawling save.

His second stop was even better, with the goalkeeper producing a sensational reflex effort to deny Mbokani after the striker looked certain to score as he drove home Steven Naismith’s square ball from close range.

Newcastle were under the cosh for the majority of the opening period, and their resistance finally cracked in first-half stoppage time.

Brady whipped in an inviting free-kick from the right-hand side, and Swiss defender Klose easily outjumped Chancel Mbemba to glance home a deft header.

Benitez’s response was to introduce Ayoze Perez for Tiote at the interval, and push the ineffectual Georginio Wijnaldum into a deeper midfield role.

Newcastle at least came out with more purpose at the start of the second half, and only Cisse will know how they failed to fashion an equaliser in the 51st minute.

John Ruddy could only parry Andros Townsend’s fierce low drive back into the penalty area, where Cisse was perfectly positioned to meet the ball eight yards out. The goal was at his mercy, but he somehow stabbed the rebound wide of the target. It was a dreadful miss, yet perfectly in keeping with Newcastle’s plight.

Norwich had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Jarvis went down in the box under pressure from Mbemba, and Benitez made another roll of the dice shortly after the hour mark when he brought on Mitrovic for Anita, with Sissoko switching to left-back.

Still it was Norwich who remained the more threatening side though, and full-back Andre Wisdom blazed over after creating space on the edge of the box.

Mitrovic’s first act was to receive a cross from Sissoko and drill a low strike straight at Ruddy, but three minutes later, and the Serbian international was celebrating an equaliser.

Townsend delivered an inviting cross from the right, and Mitrovic rose highest to head home an excellent header from ten yards.

Having got themselves back level, it was imperative Newcastle maintained their positive momentum. Instead, they found themselves back behind within two minutes.

Mbokani had proved a handful all afternoon, and after picking up the ball in the inside-left channel, the striker cut infield before rifling a superb effort into the top right-hand corner. The ball passed very close to Darlow, but it was travelling at such a pace that it would be harsh to be too critical of the goalkeeper.

Suddenly, the game was wide open, and Mitrovic came close to a second equaliser when he met Shelvey’s cross at the back post, only to head the ball wide.

The substitute’s introduction was a turning point in the game, and when he was handed an opportunity to level from the spot with four minutes remaining, he made no mistake.

Norwich midfielder Gary O’Neil handled Perez’s shot close to the edge of the box, and Mitrovic drilled home the spot-kick.

From nowhere, Newcastle were back in the game and pushing for a winner, and Ruddy made a superb save in the 90th minute as he clawed out a header from Cisse that was heading towards the top corner.

With the game flowing from one end of the pitch to the other, it was felt as though there would be one more twist, and it duly arrived in the second minute of stoppage time.

Norwich shuffled the ball across the face of Newcastle’s 18-yard box and Olsson drilled a fierce low shot through Townsend’s legs and into the far corner.

Norwich (4-4-1-1): Ruddy; Wisdom, Bennett, Klose, Olsson; Jarvis (Redmond 75), Howson, O’Neil, Brady; Naismith (Hoolahan 81); Mbokani (Jerome 85).

Subs (not used): Rudd (gk), Bassong, Mulumbu, Bamford.

Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Janmaat, Mbemba, Taylor, Anita (Mitrovic 62); Tiote (Perez 46), Shelvey; Townsend, Wijnaldum, Sissoko; Cisse.

Subs (not used): Woodman (gk), Sterry, Lascelles, de Jong, Riviere.