Another Norwich late show stuns Wolves as Canaries snatch point

Posted Thursday, February 22, 2018 by PA

Nelson Oliveira’s spectacular late strike saw Norwich grab a point in stoppage time for the second time in four days as they drew 2-2 with Sky Bet Championship leaders Wolves at Molineux.

A Jamal Lewis own goal and Alfred N’Diaye’s header appeared to have the hosts cruising midway through the first half, but Christoph Zimmermann swiftly pulled one back and the Canaries were good value for their point.

Timm Klose had snatched a draw in Sunday’s East Anglia derby and the Canaries repeated the trick as substitute Oliveira beat John Ruddy at his near post with a 35-yard effort in added time.

The first clear chance of the match fell Norwich’s way after 13 minutes, but, when a mix-up in the home defence saw Harrison Reed go clean through on goal, the on-loan Southampton midfielder fired wastefully over the bar.

Just seconds later Wolves were ahead, with Zimmermann missing his clearance and Diogo Jota hitting a low finish from the left-hand side of the penalty area against the far post before the unfortunate Lewis turned the rebound into his own net.

Barry Douglas saw a long-range effort fly inches wide as the home side began to dominate, and after 25 minutes it was the Scot’s corner which was headed in at the near post by N’Diaye.

Just two minutes later Norwich found a route back into the game when Zimmermann made amends for his earlier error by heading in a James Maddison free-kick for his first Norwich goal.

The visitors grew into the game as the half wore on, but Maddison’s low effort in first-half stoppage time was comfortable for Ruddy, while Helder Costa overcooked the final pass of a swift counter at the other end.

Ivan Cavaleiro should have restored Wolves’ two-goal advantage nine minutes into the second half when N’Diaye fed Matt Doherty down the right and his low cross was jabbed wide from six yards by the Portuguese winger.

Marley Watkins wasted a chance to equalise for the Canaries in the 65th minute when he found space on the edge of the box but hit a tame effort straight at Ruddy.

Jota misplaced the final pass as another rapid Wolves break caught Norwich out, but the hosts were unusually disjointed in the final third, although Norwich struggled to create clear openings at the other end.

Substitute Morgan Gibbs-White spurned the opportunity to put the game to bed nine minutes from time when, having dispossessed Zimmermann, he dallied over his shot and eventually lost the ball.

Gibbs-White had a late attempt blocked, while at the other end Maddison slashed an effort from distance over the bar and had another shot hacked clear, before Portuguese forward Oliveira smashed home a speculative effort from distance.