'Six months ago, he would have been the most hated man in Manchester — last night Alan Smith found himself the toast of Old Trafford. He served up a breathtaking strike against Delia Smith's Norwich to ease Sir Alex Ferguson's woes — and finally start United's title challenge.
The former Leeds striker worked his socks off on his home debut and scored a sensational volley. But United had to survive a late scare as substitute Paul McVeigh pulled one back for the Canaries.'