Barnsley 2-2 Norwich City: Tykes will face Swansea in play-offs after draw

Norwich City players celebrateImage source, Getty Images
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Norwich finished on 97 points, six points clear of second-placed Watford

Championship champions Norwich City were held to a draw in an open and entertaining match against a Barnsley side who will face Swansea City in the play-offs after finishing in fifth place.

The Tykes led when Carlton Morris robbed the ball off Andrew Omobamidele and teed up Cauley Woodrow for a simple finish.

Emi Buendia headed the visitors level from a teasing Max Aarons cross.

Conor Chaplin restored the home lead with a brilliantly directed downward header.

A typically classy move brought the Canaries level after the break, when substitute Adam Idah struck from Todd Cantwell's pass, but they were unable to earn a 30th league win of the season.

Barnsley were rewarded for a bright start that saw Chaplin volley over and Jasper Moon's shot was well saved by Tim Krul before Woodrow struck.

Norwich's players and manager Daniel Farke claimed a foul in the build-up but soon drew level through Buendia's 15th goal of the season.

Woodrow and Chaplin both had chances before Chaplin did make it 2-1 from a Callum Styles cross.

Image source, Rex Features
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Conor Chaplin's first-half header was just his fourth goal in 39 appearances this season

Cantwell was just off target with a shot before the break but his clever pass saw Idah fire an effort into the roof of the net for the final goal of the game soon after the interval, his second in three matches.

Barnsley could have snatched all the points but Krul made a fine save to keep out strikes from Victor Adeboyejo and Romal Palmer.

At the other end Jordan Hugill squandered a glorious late chance for the visitors and Buendia was also guilty of a bad miss, but the post-match title celebrations were not affected by their failure to end the season with a win.

Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael: "It's an incredible achievement to finish the season where we have done after how it started and what happened last season.

"It's down to the players' commitment on the pitch. They have dedicated themselves to the principles of how we want to play football and I also want to pay tribute to my backroom staff, because everyone gives everything.

"I really hope we can now get a big reward in the play-offs because, when you believe in something, you can achieve some great results.

"It was important for us to finish strongly against the champions and I thought we were back to the intensity we have shown throughout the season."

Norwich City manager Daniel Farke: "It was a proud moment to lift the silverware.

"It was the peak of a fantastic season and I felt we finished it in style. I am pleased we came back from behind twice and Emiliano [Buendia] had a great chance to win it, but I am very pleased with 97 points nevertheless.

"Barnsley are very hard to play against. They are always competitive and we suffered a few injuries.

"I have full respect for what they have done this season and, after the game, they showed their class and they deserve their chance to finish the season off as a Premier League club too."

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