What Norwich City have said about catching Newcastle United, Everton or Leeds to avoid relegation

Norwich City have not given up hope of avoiding Premier League relegation - but know they face an almighty task.

That’s the view of boss Dean Smith after his side gave their slim survival hopes a boost with a 2-0 victory at home to 18th place Burnley on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Pierre Lees-Melou and Teemu Pukki ended the Canaries’ eight-match winless run and move on to 21 points.

They remain seven points from safety - 13 points below Newcastle United in 15th - but refuse to rule out doing the impossible job.

Looking over their shoulders still are Leeds United and Everton, with Burnley and Watford also bidding to retain their top-flight status.

“We believe we can (stay up),” Smith said after the win against Sean Dyche’s Clarets. “We know it’s hard and still a mountain but we’ve still got seven games to go. Who knows.

“If you can put two or three wins together then the world and table looks a different place.

“We want to try and take it to the last game but we know how hard that is.”

Smith alluded to the experience in the Canaries’ backroom team.

Craig Shakespeare was assistant to Nigel Pearson when Leicester City completed their great escape in the 2014/15 season.

Smith then guided Aston Villa to safety in 2019/20 after the season resumed following the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The experience is there with both myself and Shakey,” Smith added.

“He’s spoken to the players at length about the experience at Leicester and how they just got onto a roll and started winning games.

“Villa was the same. Before we went into lockdown, we looked like we were certain to go down but the lockdown period gave us that resilience.

“Hopefully, we can find that resilience now in the results.”

The Magpies face Norwich at Carrow Road on Saturday, April 23. A win for Eddie Howe’s men would surely end all hope for Smith & Co.