Norwich end losing run with draw at Wednesday

Mathias Kvistgaarden's goal was only his second for Norwich City

Norwich City ended a run of six successive Championship defeats as they earned a draw in their bottom of the table battle with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

The Canaries fell behind to a spectacular strike from Owls skipper Barry Bannan and were second best for most of the opening half.

Under-pressure boss Liam Manning sent on Mathias Kvistgaarden at the break and it proved a shrewd move as he slotted the equaliser from Josh Sargent's pass.

Both teams had chances to win it but could not take them, and Manning, whose side climbed above Sheffield United, is still waiting for a victory over Wednesday in eight league matches against them as a head coach.

Their point, though, means the two Steel City clubs now occupy the bottom two places in the table.

With several potential bidders now in the running to buy Wednesday, boss Henrik Pedersen again turned his attention to matters on the field and named an unchanged line-up, while Norwich brought in Mirko Topic for Pelle Mattsson.

Defender Liam Palmer made his 478th appearance for the Owls, who had managed just one point from seven previous home games, putting him equal fourth on their all-time list with ex-goalkeeper Kevin Pressman.

Norwich should have been ahead with their first attack as Dominic Iorfa's error presented the ball to Sargent but the US international – without a goal in his previous nine games – stabbed wide as keeper Ethan Horvath rushed from his line.

And they were stunned when Bannan was given too much time and space and thundered an unstoppable left-foot shot into the top corner from 30 yards to put Wednesday in front.

The visitors failed to learn the lesson as they were again far too static in midfield, allowing Harry Amass to cut the ball back to Bannan for another powerful effort, but this time Vladan Kovacevic was able to make a diving save to his right.

For a team on -5 points, albeit courtesy of a deduction for going into administration, Wednesday looked calm and confident, and a neat passing move created a shooting chance for Sean Fusire, who was wastefully wide from the edge of the box, before unmarked Jamal Lowe headed wide from Amass' cross.

Manning made a tactical change at the interval with Kvistgaarden replacing centre-back Shane Duffy, but Wednesday almost doubled the lead when Svante Ingelsson found himself in a one on one with Kovacevic, who made a crucial save with his legs.

Norwich responded with their best move since the opening minute, culminating with Sargent laying the ball into Oscar Schwartau's path, but he dragged his shot wide of the post.

Lowe then squandered a golden chance at the other end from Ingelsson's outside-of-the-foot ball in, and just seconds later an inch-perfect pass from Kenny McLean found Sargent in space and he unselfishly presented Kvistgaarden with an easy sidefoot finish.

Manning's side suddenly looked the stronger and Jeffrey Schlupp was inches away from a second after an attempted cross rebounded to him, but their defence still looked vulnerable and Kovacevic had to save from Fusire after Bannan found him with a ball through the channel.

Kovacevic was fortunate when he advanced from his box to clear but played it straight to Ingelsson, who failed to hit the target from just inside the half with the goal wide open.

Wednesday pressed hard in the closing stages with Bailey Cadamarteri warming the keeper's palms, but Norwich almost snatched it in added time when Kvistgaarden's header from a corner kick forced a great stop from Horvath.

The Owls are away to Southampton on Saturday, while Norwich will try again for their first home points of the season when they host Leicester City.

'Best offensive game we have played' - reaction

Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"I'm frustrated and proud because I think the boys delivered a great game. How the boys are working together, how they push each other, how they help each other - it's a good example that what you cannot do alone, you can do as a team.

"It was the best offensive game we have played this season - from the beginning, we had the courage, we wanted to have the ball, make a difference with the ball, and then we had a fantastic goal from Barry.

"In transitions we created good chances, and in the second half we had one fantastic build-up, there were a lot of passes before Jamal had a big, big chance.

"I'm proud of the performance, defensively we were strong, we created more in offensive transitions. There were still a lot of errors there but we're moving in the right direction."

Norwich City head coach Liam Manning told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"We've stopped the run of losses, which is important, and deserved a point. It was a big evening for them with a full house and they're a good, honest team.

"We should have gone ahead really early on with a great opportunity [for Sargent] and conceded a fantastic finish from someone who over the years has caused me issues in games and done that numerous times.

"We didn't respond again, that's an issue. We get anxious, we get nervous, we get passive, we lose intent, but showed a response second half that we need to show from the start.

"We had numerous opportunities, and where we're at at the minute, it's not about trying to play beautiful football, it's about having real intent and purpose with your actions."

On an apparent argument between himself, Kenny McLean and Shane Duffy during a first-half injury break:

"It was heat of the moment - Kenny was fine, me and Kenny were chatting. I think it was frustration more than anything, we spoke about it, dealt with it, and that's it."