Both Norwich City and Brentford entered this afternoon's Championship match on two-game winning streaks.
Norwich knew that a win would send them into the top six and above Brentford, but it was the Bees who prevailed to go fourth in the table.
Read how it all unfolded at Carrow Road in our minute-by-minute updates below.
Afternoon folks! Just four games in the Championship this afternoon because of the FA Cup fourth round, but this one should be a belter as Norwich take on Brentford. Team news coming right up...
NORWICH XI: Ruddy; Martin, Cuellar, Turner, Olsson; Whittaker, Johnson; Redmond, Hooper, Lafferty; Jerome
Subs: Rudd, Grabban, Hoolahan, E Bennett, Murphy, Bassong, McGrandles
Subs: Rudd, Grabban, Hoolahan, E Bennett, Murphy, Bassong, McGrandles
Just the one change for Norwich from last weekend's 3-2 win over Cardiff City - Steven Whittaker replaces Gary O'Neil in central midfield.
BRENTFORD XI: Button; Odubajo, Tarkowski, Dean, Bidwell; Diagouraga, Douglas; Jota, Pritchard, Dallas; Gray
Subs: Bonham, Craig, Saunders, Toral, Smith, Tennaris, Long
Subs: Bonham, Craig, Saunders, Toral, Smith, Tennaris, Long
The Bees, meanwhile, name an unchanged starting lineup from the side that saw off Brighton & Hove Albion a week ago.
It's a crisp, but sunny winter's day in Norfolk.
VINE | Carrow Road is open for business for this afternoon's game. https://t.co/p7s5cSR5JL #NCFCvBEES — Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 24, 2015
I touch on the league table in the intro above, but let's take a closer look at how it stands towards the top of the Championship. Brentford start the day three points better off than Norwich, but the Canaries have a much better goal difference so any kind of win today will see them go into the playoffs at the very least. They will also move to within five points of league leaders Bournemouth.
REFEREE WATCH: The man with the whistle this afternoon at Carrow Road is Nigel Miller.
What a start it's been to life as Norwich boss by Alex Neil, eh? In his first game in charge he came down from the stands to inspire a victory over leaders Bournemouth and end the Cherries' 14-game unbeaten run before watching his side score three in the first half against Cardiff last week. Many questioned the 33-year-old's appointment given his little experience, but it's working out just fine at the moment.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
In Gary Hooper and Cameron Jerome, Neil has one of the hottest strike duo's in the country at the moment. Hooper has scored six and provided five assists in his last nine league appearances, while Jerome has scored in five of his last six appearances for the Canaries.
But Brentford have a hotshot of their own in Andre Gray, who scored the winner at Brighton last week and whose goals have won 11 points for the Bees this season - more than any other Championship player.
PREDICTION TIME: Right then, 10 minutes until the off in Norfolk. Carrow Road has seen 47 Championship goals this season - more than any other ground - so I'm going to go for a 3-2 home win for the second week in a row.
In the reverse fixture between these two sides back in September, Norwich cruised to a 3-0 win at Griffin Park to go top of the table. It is just one of two games the Bees have lost at home all season, with the other coming against Norwich's bitter rivals Ipswich Town last month.
Further aiding Norwich's cause is their recent home record against Brentford - they have won 10 and lost none of their last 11 games against the Bees at Carrow Road.
Norwich defender Michael Turner, who has earned a recall to the side under Neil, comes up against his former club. He told the Canaries' website: "[Brentford] started the season really well, and kept that going because they've got a consistent team. We know it's going to be a tough game. They're in the playoff positions at the moment, which is somewhere where we need to be."
Here come the Canaries! #NCFC #BFC pic.twitter.com/nvsGyhtA2R
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) January 24, 2015
KICKOFF! Here we go then. Both teams in their home colours, with Norwich in yellow and green and Brentford in red-and-white stripes.
MISS! What a huge miss from Brentford! Dallas slips it through to Gray and he's beaten the offside trap to go clear on goal. With just Ruddy to beat, he dilly-dallies before quite hilariously skewing his effort high and wide. Watching the replays, it did take a big bobble, but what an early chance.
Will Brentford rue that missed chance? Whenever Gray has scored this season since joining from Luton, the Bees have never lost.
CHANCE! It's all Brentford at the moment and the Bees are really impressing despite the bobbly pitch. After Ruddy's clearance was almost charged down, Gray slipped in Jota and the Spaniard was just about to shoot when Martin managed to make a last-gasp tackle.
SAVE! The resulting corner comes to nothing and Norwich streak forward as Ruddy finds Redmond on the right and he picks out Hooper with a crossfield ball. The former Celtic man brings it down well before smashing a shot straight at Button from a tight angle. Great start to this game!
CHANCE! Another opening for Brentford. Pritchard works a yard or so of space down the left and picks out Dallas with his cutback. The midfielder controls the ball and then opens his body before curling off-target. Again, the pitch seemed to play a bit of a part as Dallas waited for it to sit for him. Surely we'll get a goal soon?!
Norwich can barely get out of their half at the moment. It's Brentford who really look like the home side and a team that certainly hasn't forgot losing 3-0 at Griffin Park to the Canaries.
Douglas receives the ball in the hole between Norwich's defence and midfield and tries to slip it through to Gray, but can't quite find the run of the attacker.
The Bees continue to press and press and Spaniard Jota, out on the right and cutting in, is having more of an influence with every passing minute.
Norwich get into a couple of decent positions on either wing, but both Redmond and Olsson produce poor crosses - one is caught by Button, the other well overhit.
Better this time from Olsson as he produces a decent centre to the back post. Unfortunately for Norwich, the man arriving is Redmond, who is surely the shortest on the park today.
Terrible defending from Norwich as Cuellar is only able to clear it as far as Douglas. The midfielder probably should shoot, but he tries to find Gray with an eye-of-the-needle pass. It doesn't reach his teammate and Norwich eventually get it clear.
GOAL! NORWICH 0-1 BRENTFORD (JOTA)
Gorgeous, gorgeous goal from the Bees and they fully deserve it. Norwich were on the attack, but they gave it away and Brentford broke quickly through Odubajo. He found Gray and the striker's first touch was excellent before he slipped in Jota and the Spaniard opened his body to produce a cool first-time finish into the far corner. Fabulous stuff.
With that goal, Brentford will be moving up a place to fourth and within two points of league leaders Bournemouth as it stands.
With more than a quarter of the game now gone, Brentford have been so impressive and surprisingly had more of the ball (52%) on the road.
GOAL! NORWICH 1-1 BRENTFORD (REDMOND)
They don't really deserve it, but Norwich are level thanks to a slightly fortunate goal from Redmond. He did brilliantly well to work the chance with a 'flip-flap' trick that completely did Bidwell before shooting low and seeing his effort go into the net via a deflection.
Redmond has struggled to hold down a regular starting place throughout this season, but he certainly is a big talent and with goals like that you can see why the Norwich faithful are big fans. Out of nothing.
After a sloppy start, Norwich are now controlling the play, with the fans making plenty of noise. Can they go ahead before half time?
BOOKING! Dirty tackle from Jerome as he clips Tarkowski's heels after the Brentford defender had taken the ball away. Miller tried to play advantage, but there was none for Brentford so he brought it back and booked Jerome. First card of the game.
By the way, Miller hasn't shown a red card yet this season.
A point wouldn't really do much for either side today. Their league position at the end of the day will also depend on how Watford, currently losing 1-0 at home to rockbottom Blackpool, and Wolves, drawing 0-0 with Charlton, get on this afternoon.
BOOKING! Lafferty joins Jerome in the book after referee Miller booked him for an earlier foul on Odubajo. Brentford have a free kick just outside the area on the left following Whittaker's challenge on Pritchard.
Jota with some brilliant feet out on the right as he nutmegs Olsson before running out of room at the byline. He should have probably tried to cross it in earlier.
Five minutes of the first half remaining and you have to say that Norwich will be happy to be level. Their equaliser came out of the blue, but since then it's been fairly even.
UPDATE: A second goal at Vicarage Road and incredibly it's another for Blackpool, who haven't won away from home all season!
BOOKING! All three bookings in the game have been shown after the initial foul because advantage has been played each time. Brentford left-back Bidwell becomes the first Bee in the book (how's that for alliteration!) for his rash challenge on Martin.
Douglas can't quite find the through-ball to Diagouraga after the Bees surged forward following a Norwich corner. Warburton is willing to leave men up when they're defending corners and they look more dangerous for it. So many modern managers bring everyone back these days.
Into added time, two minutes of it to be precise.
A nasty end to the first period as we wait for the half-time whistle with Diagouraga on the floor receiving treatment for a fairly innocuous challenge from Johnson in the middle.
HALF-TIME: NORWICH 1-1 BRENTFORD
All square at the break then after a pulsating half of football. Norwich were penned back in the early stages before Brentford took a deserved 21st-minute lead through Jota. Norwich hit back with Redmond's deflected shot six minutes later before an even end to the half. Bring on the second!
If you're only just joining us and want a brief rundown of the opening 45, you could do a lot worse than our half-time report.
HT SCORES: In the Championship, these are the other half-time scores.
Watford 0-2 Blackpool
Wigan 0-0 Huddersfield
Wolves 0-0 Charlton
See the details and catch up on the rest of the day's scores and results, including the FA Cup fourth round, here.
Watford 0-2 Blackpool
Wigan 0-0 Huddersfield
Wolves 0-0 Charlton
See the details and catch up on the rest of the day's scores and results, including the FA Cup fourth round, here.
That's a pretty good set of scorelines for these two sides, with neither Watford or Wolves winning. Watford losing at home to Blackpool is a real shock and if they concede one more, Norwich will move into the playoffs as their goal difference would be the same but they've scored more goals than the Hornets.
At the half, the two sides can't be split on the possession count with 50-50 of the ball. Norwich have had more shots (four) than Brentford's three, but it's been a pretty even contest. I'd say, if anything, that Brentford should have been more than one up after 21 minutes.
UPDATE: We're a little behind schedule in Norfolk, but Watford have already scored in the second half against Blackpool. 1-2 at Vicarage Road.
One big question for Brentford: Will Diagouraga be able to carry on after that injury right at the end of the first half?
NORWICH SUB: Diagouraga is fit to continue and it's Norwich who actually make a half-time change as Elliott Bennett replaces Lafferty. Either the latter picked up a knock, or Norwich boss Neil wants more of a presence in midfield. I suspect it's the second one as Brentford controlled the middle for large parts of the first half.
KICKOFF! Brentford get us back underway as the sun sets in Norfolk.
UPDATE: Blimey, it didn't take Watford long to level things up at Vicarage Road. It's now 2-2 against Blackpool.
Whittaker with a wild volley from 30 yards that flies well over the top. There wasn't loads on for the Norwich man, so why not have a go when it sits up so nicely.
UPDATE: Make that 3-2 to Watford! What a collapse from Blackpool, who were on course for their first away win of the season at half time. In the FA Cup, Middlesbrough of the Championship have just taken the lead against Premier League champions Man City!
Norwich goalscorer Redmond could well be the most skilful player in the league. He produces several flicks and step-overs to earn some space on the right but then delivers a tame cross that Button easily claims.
Strong defending at the near post from Tarkowski as Jerome came charging in trying to meet Bennett's outswinging corner. Still no chances as yet in the second half.
BOOKING! 3-1 to Norwich on the yellow-card count as Turner is cautioned for taking Pritchard's legs from under him. Brentford are a dangerous side on the break and the former Bee was taking no chances there.
Pritchard dusts himself down to take the resulting 30-yard free kick. He could go for goal, but instead crosses and makes it easy for Ruddy to collect with no red-and-white shirt anywhere near.
Excellent sliding tackle in the area by Johnson to take the ball away from Gray as he looked to turn Jota's cutback home.
Ruddy is out quickly for Norwich to take the ball off Bidwell, who had made a clever run into the hosts' area but couldn't be found by Dallas.
Waste by Dallas as he finds neither Gray or Pritchard with Brentford looking dangerous on the break once more. The Bees are happy to sit back a little and then explode on the counter.
SHOT! Snapshot from 20 yards by Dallas that is straight at Ruddy, but hit so well that the Norwich keeper needs two chances to hold it. The visitors look more threatening at the moment.
SAVE! Superb goalkeeping from Ruddy as he dives to his right to fingertip Douglas's toepoke wide after Gray had hooked the ball into the path of the midfielder. How big could that prove to be given how few clear-cut chances we've had in the second half.
NORWICH SUB: A few boos around Carrow Road as Hooper is taken off by Neil for Hoolahan. Striker off, playmaker on. It might irk the supporters, but Norwich need to wrestle back some control here and Hoolahan's calming influence should help.
PENALTY TO BRENTFORD! GRAY GOES DOWN IN THE BOX!
GOAL! NORWICH 1-2 BRENTFORD (PRITCHARD, PEN.)
Spurs loanee Pritchard slams home the spot kick after Cuellar and Martin had slid in and not won the ball as Gray received it with his back to goal just inside the box. Silly challenges from the Norwich duo and Miller did well to see that they didn't get any of the ball.
OFF THE BAR AND WHAT A SAVE! My word, incredible scenes! Norwich are so close to hitting back straight away as Johnson sees Button off his line and curls a lofted effort against the crossbar. The ball falls to Jerome, whose first-time left-foot volley is spectacularly saved on the line by Button, who had only just got back to his feet.
BOOKING! Johnson is booked, presumably for dissent, after Turner had bundled over Gray on the left. When Miller got out his cards, it appeared that he would be sending Turner off for a second booking, but the former Bee survives.
UPDATE: I haven't updated on the last few goals, but listen to this: Watford are now 7(yes, SEVEN)-2 in front against Blackpool, who led 2-0 at half time.
UPDATE: Oh my word! City are losing to Championship side Boro and now Chelsea fall 3-2 behind at home to League One side Bradford! The Blues were 2-0 up at Stamford Bridge. Incredible!
SUBS: Both managers make a change, with Smith on for Jota for Brentford and Grabban replacing Whittaker for Norwich.
So, with a little over 10 minutes left of normal time, Brentford led Norwich by one goal. Can the Canaries muster a response?
Brentford will have to withstand a load of pressure in the last few minutes as hosts Norwich come forward in numbers. Olsson's cutback intended for Jerome was just cut out before Hoolahan's corner was dealt with by the Bees.
BRENTFORD SUB: The Bees make their second change as Gray, whose running and interplay has been excellent, comes off for recent loan addition Long.
BRENTFORD SUB: And now a third and final change for the home side as Dallas is replaced by Toral.
Today's attendance at Carrow Road is confirmed as 26,148. Near sell-out at Carrow Road.
SAVE! Just a few seconds after four minutes of added time were signalled, Grabban has the chance to earn Norwich a point but he's denied by another top save from Button.
CHANCE! With Norwich pushing for an equaliser, Brentford almost make certain of three points as Smith can't quite reach Long's centre.
FULL-TIME: NORWICH 1-2 BRENTFORD
FULL TIME | Norwich 1 Brentford 2 #NCFCvBEES #brentfordfc pic.twitter.com/oJ3OILf9gR — Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 24, 2015
Goals either side of Nathan Redmond's equaliser from Jota and Alex Pritchard see Brentford make it three league wins in a row, ending Norwich's two-game league winning streak and Alex Neil's 100% start in charge. Impressive stuff from the Bees.
Click here to see the latest Championship table. Brentford are up to fourth, while Norwich drop a place to eighth and four points behind the top six.
Anyway, that's all we've got time for today. An engrossing game at Carrow Road is won by Brentford. Make sure you click around on site for some truly astonishing results in both the FA Cup and Championship. What a day!