Sheffield Wednesday came from two goals down to seal an important point against Norwich City in their battle for Championship survival.
Having won their last game, away at QPR, the Owls knew they needed to pick something up to keep momentum on their return to S6 on Tuesday night.
Prior to the game, Wednesday Manager Danny Röhl made two changes from their last match, both in attack, with Anthony Musaba and Djeidi Gassama returning to the starting XI in place of Ike Ugbo and Ian Poveda.
It was Wednesday’s defence that could’ve done with the changes as they looked pretty unsteady early on.
Firstly, after just a minute, Ashley Barnes fluffed an early shot after Sam McCallum’s cut back on the left.
The Owls defence then gave the ball away to Marcelino Nunez, whose shot was dealt with, and fortunately for Wednesday the rebound by Barnes was fired over.
In the 11th minute, Barnes was involved in the first goal of the game. His clever header from a McCallum throw-in found the feet of Josh Sargent who fired his 15th goal of the season past James Beadle in the Wednesday net to give the away side the lead.
It was a defensive mistake from Wednesday that led to the away side doubling their advantage.
Goalkeeper Beadle passed the ball straight to Nunez on the edge of the area, who threaded it through to Borja Sainz for a neat side-footed finish that beat Beadle at his near post.
From then up until halftime it was mainly all Norwich who tried to capitalise on a crumbling Wednesday defence.
Despite chances from Sargent, Nunez and Sainz, Wednesday didn’t concede any more and went into the break two down.
Boos rang around Hillsborough after the halftime whistle was blown by the referee.
HALFTIME Wednesday 0 Norwich 2
The first thing that fans in Hillsborough saw at the start of the second period was a quadruple (yes, FOUR!) halftime substitute.
Bambo Diaby, Liam Palmer, Josh Windass and Gassama all made way for Callum Paterson, Will Vaulks, Kristian Pedersen and VPol alentin.
The changes brought an increase in the intensity that Wednesday played. The Owls were pressing so much better, and had clearly got the support from the supporters who appreciated the hard work the players were putting in.
The newly-found energy that Wednesday had seemed to be leading to nothing with no goal to show for it.
Barry Bannan twice fired wide from distance, as Wednesday tried to rescue something from the game.
Paterson also missed a great chance one-on-one with the Norwich ‘keeper Angus Gunn, but Gunn thwarted the Scot.
Wednesday eventually got what they deserved through a set piece.
Vaulks’ inswinging left-sided corner was nodded home by defender Michael Ihiekwe who was up attacking the set piece. It was his first goal of the season!
Wednesday had a goal but as things stood it wasn’t enough.
But just seven minutes later, history repeated itself as Vaulks took another left-sided corner. This time it was headed into the back of the net by Michael Smith. He rose highest in the box to send the Kop and the rest of Hillsborough absolutely wild.
Despite chances for either side to grab a winner, a point was a fair result and sees Wednesday remain in the relegation places, but on the same points as Huddersfield who are safe.
FULLTIME Wednesday 2 Norwich 2
Featured Image Credit: Sebastian Jones
