Barclays Premier League

BORE DRAW

This was the definition of a bore draw, with only the last-minute chance coming to mind. Holt had a chance to win the game with a free header but missed the target. That aside, there is literally nothing to report. A vital point for both sides, which it seems was all they came for. Final score - Norwich City 0, Newcastle United 0.

BEST CHANCE OF THE GAME!

What a glorious opportunity to snatch the points! Elliott Bennett delivers from the flank, and Grant Holt has a free header. Tim Krul rushes out to try and block it but he doesn't have to in the end as Holt somehow misses the target. That's the last action of the game.

FINAL MINUTES

We are entering the latter stages of the latter stages. Surely Newcastle United have hung on for a point now?

CORNER

The home fans suddenly burst into fine voice, as Norwich earn a late corner. They soon quieten down, however, with this corner no more productive than the preceding ones.

STILL INJURED

Grant Holt looks reluctant to chase after anything at all and even tracking back from an offside position looks like a chore. Perhaps he is still suffering from his niggle. Then again, it all may be part and parcel of his lethargic style.

A POINT WILL DO

Newcastle United are happy to knock it round the back, depriving Norwich City of possession. Surely nothing can go wrong that way? Considering their lack of cohesion, however, anything could happen.

SAME OLD STORY

Norwich City are continuing to hammer away but just can't produce anything meaningful. As the final whistle draws closer, Newcastle look more inclined to settle for a draw. Mathieu Debuchy has been booked and Gael Bigirimana replaces Vurnon Anita.

AMBITIOUS

Fabricio Coloccini goes for glory with an outrageous volley. He actually strikes the ball well, but it was always going over.

SUBSTITUTION

Elliott Bennett comes on for Robert Snodgrass and is immediately amidst controversy. Newcastle United are claiming handball in the area, but the ref rules in favour of the newly-arrived.

GREAT SHOT

Out of nowhere Anthony Pilkington pops up with the best (and only) chance of the game as he cuts in on his right foot, and tries to curl the ball beyond the keeper. Tim Krul does well and tips the ball wide at full stretch.

DRAW WRITTEN ALL OVER IT

The frustration this game has caused is evident as both managers are bawling at their players from the side. It's got draw written all over it with neither side creating anything.

QUICK FREE KICK

Norwich City take a quick free kick and Mike Williamson comes to the rescue while the rest of his time are complaining to the ref. The resulting corner kick is equally as awful as the previous ones.

SUBSTITUTION

This change was almost inevitable, with Grant Holt coming on to replace Simeon Jackson.

NO COMMUNICATION

Robert Snodgrass overhits his cross but Mathieu Debuchy's headed clearance is left by all the players in black and white, giving Russell Martin a chance to go for glory. His volleyed effort beats Tim Krul but deflects behind off the post.

DEEP IN THEIR OWN HALF

Newcastle United are playing ten men behind the ball at the moment, with Cisse the lone forward. They can't clear their lines and get forward as things stand.

HIT AND HOPE

With Newcastle United's defensive frailties, it's crazy that Norwich are limiting themselves to premature efforts from distance. It's all shoot-on-sight at the moment, and the shooting leaves a lot to be desired. This time, Robert Snodgrass is almost through on goal, but instead of continuing his run, he turns back to hit it with his left and loses the ball.

DUBUCHY AT FAULT

Mathieu Debuchy is guilty of giving the ball away this time. He has the ball, but expects a throw-in to be given. While waiting, Anthony Pilkington nabs the ball off him. How Norwich haven't scored yet, I'll never know.

SUBSTITUTION

Yohan Cabaye enters the fray and is greeted warmly by the travelling fans. Surprise surprise, Obertan is the man to depart. He's furious, refusing to shake the manager's hand and going straight down the tunnel. Does he think he's done well? Terrible reaction from the winger.

POOR FROM OBERTAN

Gabriel Obertan miscontrols the ball for the umpteenth time this afternoon. Alan Pardew is in a rage on the touchline, I can't see Obertan staying on for much longer.

CROSSED WIRES

Papiss Cisse and Gabriel Obertan both go for the same ball once again. Cisse gets there first and then lays it off for Obertan! The winger is cramped up in the corner and loses the ball. It's been a shambles in the final third from the visitors this afternoon.

WARMING UP

Yohan Cabaye is warming up, as Alan Pardew will want to get him involved sooner rather than later to try and inject some creativity into his flat side.

GOOD DEFENDING

Good defending from Gabriel Obertan, who spots the run of Bradley Johnson and tracks back to deflect Wesley Hoolahan's low cross away.

KICK OFF

Here we go again. Hopefully this period will be better than the first!

HALF TIME SUMMARY

This fixture has averaged at a healthy three goals per game, but so far it's a real struggle to fathom where those goals are going to come from. Norwich have probably had the better of possession, which is no feat against a Newcastle side that look as if they've never played together before. Lack of cohesion is going to addressed by Pardew at the break, but the more pressing matter of a goal will be on Chris Hughton's mind. It's there for the taking if they are willing to take a chance.

HALF TIME

Not a second of added time is played, much to the relief of spectators of both sides. At half time, it's 0-0.

CONFUSION

I think this is what will anger Alan Pardew the most - the lack of communication between the players. Once again they are merely individuals as both Papiss Cisse and Gabriel Obertan go for the same ball. It's almost comical and is topped off by Obertan's effort seconds later, which is almost as bad as Pilkington's moments earlier.

ROW Z

Sure, a bit of positivity is need, but this effort is a little over-optimistic from Anthony Pilkington. The winger shoots from distance but only succeeds in hitting the top tier.

NEGATIVITY FROM BOTH CAMPS

It's almost as if both sides are happy to take a point, but both defences are looking shaky, so the goal is there for whoever is willing to step up and take a risk.

DEBUT TO REMEMBER

Mathieu Debuchy is going to remember this one - mainly the non-stop threat from Anthony Pilkington, who is causing the Premier League new boy all sorts of problems as he weaves in and out.

NOBODY IN THE BOX

Wesley Hoolahan's hard work is going unrewarded, as the final ball is often unproductive, with nobody waiting in the area.

WEAK HEADER

Wesley Hoolahan is really a live-wire in midfield and is pulling all the strings at the moment. He weaves his way right, before putting the ball into the area for Robert Snodgrass. The former Leeds man tries to loop a headed effort over the keeper, but Krul has no difficulty with that.

DIFFICULT TRIP

Only Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool have won at Carrow Road this season, and you can see why. The Canaries look energised and are playing with a purpose, as well as dominating possession at the moment.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH CISSE?

We thought that with the departure of Ba giving Cisse centre-stage, he would step up to the plate. However, it looks like he's lost all of his confidence, Torres-style. He has a great chance to just power it at goal, but instead side-foots it to Mark Bunn as if it were a pass. He looks completely uninterested.

SUPER DEFENDING

Papiss Cisse looks really lethargic out there, as he gives away possession and makes no effort to win the ball back. Norwich City come forward, and Simeon Jackson makes the wrong decision again, trying to go alone. Still, it takes wonderful tenasity and pace for James Perch to recover and put the ball out for a fruitless corner.

LOOK UP!

What do they always tell you - look up! Simeon Jackson has Wesley Hoolahan in acres of space to his left but has the blinkers on and opts to take a harmless shot at goal.

GUTIERREZ EFFORT

Some quick interplay on the edge of the area from Newcastle gives Jonas Gutierrez a sight at goal. He's actually got time to take a touch but he tries to go first time and gets it all wrong. The first shot on goal ensues, as Gabriel Obertan spins and shoots, forcing Mark Bunn to make the save.

CISSE HALF-CHANCE

Norwich City turn on their heels momentarily and are almost punished, with Jonas Gutierrez tearing down the right flank. He supplies Papiss Cisse with a lofted cross, but Cisse doesn't make any effort and the chance is spurned.

PAIR OF CROSSES

Newcastle United endure the heaviest spell of pressure in the game so far, with Anthony Pilkington crossing from the left. Davide Santon heads clear, and Mike Williamson is on hand to clear Pilkington's second attempt.

PACE CAUSING PROBLEMS

This time last year it was the powerful presence of Grant Holt that was causing all the problems for Newcastle, but this time they have a very different problem. The pace of Wesley Hoolahan and Simeon Jackson is already looking promising for Chris Hughton.

SET PIECE OPPORTUNITY

Norwich City have scored the most headed goals in the league so far, while Newcastle have conceded the most headed goals. The stat-savvy fans get excited as a free kick opportunity arrises for the hosts, but Bradley Johnson's delivery is snuffed out by Jonas Gutierrez.

IMPORTANCE OF FIXTURE EVIDENT

This game is a massive fixture for both sides, as Newcastle and Norwich battle it out to try and get some points on the board for the first time in three and four games respectively. Their nerves are evident as it's all a little bit scrappy in midfield.

GOOD WORK RATE

Sebastien Bassong is pressured into giving the ball away, as Sylvain Marveaux chases the ball like a madman. The Frenchman steals it from Bassong and wins a free kick,as the Norwich defender tries to regain possession. The free kick comes to nothing.

KICK OFF

The visitors get us underway, and lose possession straight away with a misguided pass.

NEWCASTLE LINE-UP

Mathieu Debuchy's entrance into the starting XI is one of six changes to the disappointing side that lost out to Bradford; Tim Krul, Fabricio Coloccini, Jonas Gutierrez, Sylvain Marveaux and Papiss Cisse all return. Yohan Cabaye is fit again - he is among the substitutes; an appearance today would be his first since undergoing surgery in November.

NORWICH LINE-UP

Javier Garrido is preferred at left-back to Ryan Bennett, who started in the previous Premier League fixture against West Ham. Other changes include Bradley Johnson in for Jonny Howson, who has been suffering from illness recently, and Simeon Jackson starting up front, with Harry Kane dropped to the bench.

LIVE COMMENTARY

Kick off is at 15.00 BST. Join us shortly beforehand for confirmed team news, followed by full live text coverage.

NEWCASTLE TEAM NEWS

Fabricio Coloccini, Papiss Cisse and Jonas Gutierrez are likely to return to the squad, while Yohan Cabaye could make an appearance on the bench, as he recovers from groin surgery. Shola Ameobi is suspended for this tie.

NORWICH TEAM NEWS

Grant Holt and Jonny Howson are still doubtful; Holt will face a late fitness test on his hamstring, while Howson has been out with illness recently. The other goal-getter, Steve Morrison is also sidelined, with fellow absentees John Ruddy, Steven Whittaker and Andrew Surman.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Eight of the last nine meetings between these two have gone in favour of the hosts; the last time the Toon Army earned a win at Carrow Road was in 2004, when a late Andy Cole strike gave the visitors the points. Newcastle won the reverse fixture this season on Tyneside, with one goal the difference, of course attributed to Demba Ba. Papiss Cisse also missed a penalty that day.

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

Newcastle's recent acquisition, 27-year-old Mathieu Debuchy is likely to make his debut at right-back. The £5.5 million signing from Lille – who has been on Pardew's radar for some time – will have been brought in to plug the Newcastle defence, who have shipped 13 goals in their last three games. His international experience could be vital.

NO MORE DEMBA - NO MORE GOALS?

Demba Ba was responsible for 13 of Newcastle's 26 goals in the Premier League so far this season, and since his move to Chelsea, the burden will now fall on Papiss Cisse, who has just four Premier League goals to his name. In fact, Ba had more than three times the shots on goal than Cisse had racked up. It will be interesting to see how the Senegalese international performs as the Magpies' main man. He certainly performed last season after joining the club, bettering Shearer's start by netting 13 goals in his first 12 games (compared to Shearer's 12 in 12). With the spotlight back on him, we could see a marked improvement in his goal-scoring record.

PIPPED TO THE POST

Each of Norwich's last four losses have been marginal (2-1 West Brom, 1-0 Chelsea, 4-3 Man City, 2-1 West Ham), which if anything will be more frustrating for the fans and manager. They can't afford to let their heads drop, though; that seven points reprieve could easily dwindle down to nothing in no time, especially if their fellow basement-dwellers Newcastle edge them at Carrow Road this afternoon.

THE VISITORS

Newcastle fielded a much-weakened side against Brighton in the FA Cup last weekend, presumably to rest players for the Premier League - in which Alan Pardew has admitted his side are facing a relegation struggle – so, with a bit of luck we should see a top-notch display from the Magpies as they travel to Carrow Road.

THE HOSTS

Norwich's league position is looking rather sturdy at the moment, much due to their ten-game unbeaten streak before Christmas. They did, however, lose all four of their festive fixtures, luckily only dropping two places since their series of successive losses began away at West Brom. The Canaries still have seven points worth of breathing space between themselves and the drop zone, affording them a little time to get their heads together – or Chris Hughton to bang them together.