Wednesday stun Norwich with late comeback (2024)

Sheffield Wednesday came from two goals down to deny Norwich City with a stunning late flourish at Hillsborough.

Wednesday halved the deficit 12 minutes from time through Michael Ihiekwe's header, before Michael Smith levelled with five minutes remaining.

David Wagner's side missed the chance to open a seven-point gap on Coventry in the race for the play-offs, while Wednesday remain in the relegation zone on goal difference.

Norwich should have taken the lead when Marcelino Nunez robbed Barry Bannan just outside the Wednesday area. His shot was beaten away by Beadle, before Ashley Barnes shot over with the rebound.

The visitors went in front on 11 minutes. Sam McCallum's throw in was flicked on by Barnes into Sargent's path and the American applied the finish for his 15th goal in 22 games.

Another error at the back allowed Norwich to capitalise five minutes later. This time, Nunez fed Sainz, who slotted home for his fifth goal of the season. Moments earlier, he had an effort fall the wrong side of the post.

Full of confidence, the Canaries dominated the remainder of the half and could have added a third when Gabriel Sara headed wide and Nunez missed the target twice.

Jack Stacey almost added a third for Norwich 10 minutes into the second half, but Beadle saved well with his feet at the near post.

In desperate need of inspiration Wednesday looked to Bannan, who cursed his luck at the other end when he shot wide with a rare opportunity.

Somewhat against the run of play, Ihiekwe hauled Wednesday back into the game on 78 minutes from Will Vaulks' corner, setting up a frenetic finish.

Smith completed the comeback seven minutes later when he headed another Vaulks corner home. Norwich were left to rue their poor marking from set-pieces.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield:

"I think we deserve a point after the good second half. We had a good spirit, when you compare to the first half, we didn't play well.

"The crowd was also a little bit quiet, there wasn't an energy. In the second half, we played better. We were on the front [foot] and the crowd were behind us. It was a result from us together.

"Norwich is a good team, they're on a good run. They had good build-up on the ball and we were too late with our pressing.

"Since I'm here, if we play two games in three days, often the second one doesn't have the energy. In the second half, we were more direct. Half-time it was all or nothing, you can lose the game by three or four, or you can turn it round. It shows our togetherness, spirit, morale, and energy. We have to take that forward."

Norwich manager David Wagner speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk:

"We didn't kill the game. In the second half, we had unbelievable opportunities from the counter-attack which we haven't used.

"We didn't finish the job but apart from this, how we played, how we created, how we defended was top.

"I feel disappointed because we didn't kill the game."