Norwich City were denied a first league win of the season as they drew 2-2 with Blackburn Rovers at Carrow Road.
Yuki Ohashi's late equaliser earned John Eustace's side a point on the road, after goals from Josh Sargent and Borja Sainz had given Norwich the lead.
The hosts had the first real opening of the game after an attritional start, Sargent robbing Sondre Tronstad but dragging wide when through on goal.
The same man then came agonisingly close again when he met Marcelino Nunez's corner, his thumping header bouncing off the bar and away.
City's dominance counted for little, however, when Blackburn opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Ryan Hedges was the beneficiary of a swift counter-attack and some pedestrian defending, dinking past Angus Gunn for 1-0.
But Norwich regrouped and went into half time with a flurry of chances to equalise, Sargent squandering two set up by a fervent Sainz.
The second period saw the tempo drop, with the visitors happy to sit deep and absorb the pressure. It took a moment of brilliance for Sargent to finally equalise, driving his left-footed shot into the roof of the net.
Eight minutes later, City were in front. Again the American was at the heart of it, trading passes with Nunez before squaring for Sainz to tap into an empty net.
But there was a twist in the tale, substitute Ohashi diving to head Callum Brittain's cross into the far corner.
NORWICH CITY:
Substitutes:
12. Long (GK)
5. Hanley
8. Gibbs (on for Forson, 76)
25. Hernandez (on for Forsyth, 58)
33. Cordoba (on for Chrisene, 58)
35. Fisher (on for Sainz, 89)
40. Hills
44. Myles
47. Kamara (on for Sargent, 89)
Head Coach: Johannes Hoff Thorup
Bookings: Stacey (27), Doyle (45+1)
Goals: Sargent (65), Sainz (73)
BLACKBURN ROVERS:
Substitutes:
13. Hilton (GK)
4. McFadzean
7. Sigurdsson (on for Rankin-Costello, 81)
14. Weimann (on for Hedges, 64)
15. Batth (on for Carter, 90)
21. Buckley (on for Dolan, 81)
23. Ohashi (on for Gueye, 64)
29. Vale
39. Duru
Head Coach: John Eustace
Bookings: Travis (45+3), Dolan (68), Carter (79)
Goals: Hedges (20), Ohashi (88)
KEY MOMENTS
2 - Nunez takes a corner short to Sainz, who drives his long-range shot over the bar.
13 - Sargent has a big chance to open the scoring when he robs Tronstad and goes through on goal, but the American drags his left-footed effort wide.
14 - The same man thumps the bar with his header from a corner.
20 - GOAL BLACKBURN (Hedges): The visitors break quickly and find Gueye, who tees Hedges up to dink beyond Gunn.
30 - Rankin-Costello tries to tap Tronstad's centre home, but Duffy and Gunn combine to deny him.
34 - Forsyth hits a dipping shot from distance that forces Pears into a good save.
37 - Sainz plays a fantastic pass through for Sargent, who wants a penalty as he's seemingly dragged back while shooting.
38 - Sainz steals the ball from Pears and sets up Sargent, but his low shot is blocked.
Half time: Norwich City 0-1 Blackburn Rovers
57 - Nunez fires a free-kick just wide from 35 yards.
65 - GOAL NORWICH (Sargent): Doyle robs Brittain and finds Sargent, who smashes into the roof of the net with his left foot.
73 - GOAL NORWICH (Sainz): Sargent trades passes with Nunez before sliding across for Sainz to tap into an empty net.
81 - Duffy rises to meet Nunez' corner, but heads wide.
88 - GOAL BLACKBURN (Ohashi): Brittain whips a cross in and Ohashi dives to head beyond Gunn.
90+2 - Nunez' shot takes two deflections before being tipped wide by Pears.
Full time: Norwich City 2-2 Blackburn Rovers
PLAYER RATINGS
Gunn 7, Stacey 7, Duffy 5, Doyle 7, Chrisene 6, McLean 7, Nunez 7, Forson 5, Forsyth 6, Sargent 9, Sainz 9. Subs: Cordoba 6, Hernandez 6, Gibbs 5, Fisher 5, Kamara 5.
MATCH STATISTICS
Possession: 46pc-54pc
Shots: 13-7
On target: 4-3
Corners: 7-2
Fouls: 9-12
Added time: 5 mins/5 mins
Attendance: 26,400 (755 Blackburn)
Referee: James Bell
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel