Paddy Davitt delivers his Everton verdict after Norwich City’s 2-1 Premier League win.

1. Weight lifted 

No Premier League wins in six. No Premier League goals in six. A squad who had been berated, ridiculed and just in recent days again labelled an ‘embarrassment’ delivered their response where it mattered. A team who had scored eight league goals in the previous 20 matches mustered two in the space of two first half minutes.

Michael Keane’s slice past Jordan Pickford was maybe the stroke of luck Dean Smith and his under-fire players craved. They did not look back.

Adam Idah notched his first ever Premier League goal and the Irishman typified the fight, the endeavour and the energy that ultimately proved too much for an Everton in freefall under Rafa Benitez, who appears to be on borrowed time judging by the toxic reaction of the travelling support.

Smith himself was drawn into a recent episode when he felt compelled to pass comment on the ‘sarcastic’ tone to some of the away support at Crystal Palace and Charlton. But Carrow Road was a raucous, unified bear pit. Particularly in the desperate later stages when those in green and yellow clung on grimly.

That old debate about whether it is the players who need to lift the fans or vice versa had long been settled on this desperate run. City’s support needed a spark. They got it in that first half from a squad who performed with an urgency which suggested they still believe.

2. Lift-off for Idah

What a moment in the young man’s career. You could see the joy on his face as he leapt airborne in front of a delirious Lower Barclay after a first Premier League goal.

He still had work to do when he gathered Brandon Williams’ angled pass but held off the last Everton defender to roll a shot past England international Pickford.

Both in the movement and the clinical finish it underlined everything about his game that most who have seen Idah progress through the ranks felt was possible. There is a natural goalscorer. But that last step, that last top flight hurdle had proved elusive. Idah had to survive on a diet of cameos in recent seasons as Teemu Pukki retained the star billing.

A first start under Smith at Tottenham was a tantalising glimpse, but his all-round display at West Ham in midweek hinted Idah was reaching a tipping point.

Only a bout of cramp cut short a probing shift that could have brought a landmark career goal, but for Lukasz Fabianski’s agility.

What is another three days when you have been waiting your whole life since those first dreams of being a footballer. With confidence surging, Idah’s general play was also suffused with the air of a young man who perhaps now truly believes he belongs in this company.

By the end he was being hailed as ‘one of our own’ from the terraces.

But the big question mark for the rest of this Premier League campaign is how far and how high can he soar?

3. Who’s the Daddy? 

Josh Sargent of course, after his partner gave birth during the week. The US international missed that midweek trip to West Ham as a result but was restored to the starting line up by Smith against the Toffees.

His all-action display belied the lack of sleep he may be getting at present. It was not the goal he craved, but he took the congratulations from his team mates when Keane diverted his low cross beyond Pickford to put Norwich in front.

This was another demonstration of what he is, rather than what he is not at this stage of his young career. Park the price tag and the nominal label as a forward. This was a return to the vital role within the team unit he performed to turn Smith’s first game in charge against Southampton.

The unfussy, unseen, maybe unappreciated closing down of players, helping out Max Aarons or defending his near post at set pieces were all key components. The yellow card for hauling down Andre Gomes, as he desperately tracked back, was perhaps taking things a step too far.

His lack of end product will continue to dog him, magnified in fallow periods of Premier League activity for the Canaries, but in the role Smith currently demands of him – in those wider midfield areas – he can have a positive impact in the top flight. Those in attendance rose to afford him a standing ovation when he departed late on.

4. Hail Hanley 

Idah rightly was able to flash that beaming smile at a round of post-match media commitments after his starring role. But captain Grant Hanley was epic.

The amount of headed clearances alone, as the balls rained into his own penalty box, would have merited glowing praise. But his work on the floor, the way he clearly defied the pain from the shoulder injury he is managing and the leadership he showed through his actions were top class.

His was also the block tackle that sparked the flowing counter which led to Idah’s match-winner.

Hanley has his detractors. Much like the majority of this Norwich squad. But when he is at this level, when he is able drag the rest of his defence with him, he is a real asset to Smith.

The way Ben Gibson provided reassurance alongside him and Williams and Aarons threw themselves fearlessly into combat was a testament to Hanley’s pervasive influence.

When games get dragged into the trenches, there is no one you would rather have alongside you. One hopes the medics can keep him patched up and on the park from here until the end of the campaign.

5. Take a bow, boys 

Kenny McLean’s Covid-related illness absence, allied to the unavailability of Billy Gilmour, Lukas Rupp and Mathias Normann left Jacob Sorensen as the only cab on the rank to partner Pierre Lees-Melou in his more favoured position. Neither covered themselves in glory on FA Cup duty at Charlton.

There was some uncomfortable moments in the early stages as the likes of Demarai Gray glided past City’s makeshift central midfield duo.

But how they responded. In that frantic seven additional minutes of added on time, plus a bit more, Sorensen twice foiled Everton as they surged into the Norwich box.

The tackle on Richarlison had to be perfectly timed or it was a penalty to the Toffees, while he rose to head clear Gray’s corner at his near post. Lees-Melou did not neglect his defensive duties in that second half either, allied to a series of long range strikes.

In an area of the pitch where City have too often been found wanting this season, they delivered.