Billy Sharp double helps Sheffield United snatch point from Norwich to keep promotion race tight

Norwich City 2-2 Sheffield United: The forward’s late header sealed a draw in an even game that keeps a three-point gap between them

Billy Sharp fires home from the penalty spot (Action Images)

Back in August, Norwich made an odd decision to paint their away dressing room "deep pink", apparently to soften the temperament of their visitors. When rocking up at Carrow Road this afternoon, Chris Wilder was readily equipped with reams of A4 paper. A man of no nonsense, the Sheffield United manager was having none of it, taping white sheets over the walls. And that seemed the tone from the visitors, a readily prepared display that wasn't buying into the standard of allowing Norwich to master a victory in the final minutes.

Although the home side had twice taken the lead, and shown moments of dominance, they allowed United to creep back in with a late header through Billy Sharp, and the visitors held on for an important point. The draw today keeps them three points from each other as they linger around the automatic spots.

It was a game that started and ended at pace – it took just ten minutes for the first goal. A slick Norwich move down the left saw Teemu Pukki thread through Onel Hernandez, who had just the keeper to beat. His shot was neatly tucked through Dean Henderson's legs, low and direct, almost like it was flying off a conveyer belt at his favourite local catalogue retailer.

Hernandez was a consistently strong presence down the left wing through the first half, when the Canaries had the game by the scruff of the neck and seemed to offer more going forward. The quick, incisive passing kept coming from the hosts as they kept up the momentum, but they failed to make it pay. A quick one-two with Marco Stiepermann allowed Emi Buendia through on goal, and he should’ve doubled the lead but for an outstretched arm from Henderson deflecting it over.

An underlying truth of this fixture is that it really shouldn’t have taken place. Both sides would still be in the FA Cup had they not fielded weaker sides in the third round. But for two teams within touching distance of the Premier League, alternative ventures would only be an impediment on their desperate fight for promotion.

The stresses of that fight were clear today, making it far from a tame affair, bodies clattering to the ground every couple of minutes, often partnered with some firm clutching of ankles and the hope of it encouraging stronger punishment. There were four yellow cards in the last 15 minutes alone. The temperature began to rise particularly just before half-time. Buendia brought down Enda Stevens as the defender darted in from the left, the referee pointing to the spot. Though Tim Krul had bided his time to put off Sharp, and was cautioned for his antics, the forward fired home, dancing off towards an already bouncing away end as he equalled the scores.

Norwich City's Onel Hernandez celebrates scoring their first goal (Action Images)

The goal was perfectly timed, as United’s confidence spilled over into the second half. Norwich were allowing the visitors more space, and the visitors’ regular tactic of having three at the back allowed them to crowd the wings with raiding full-backs. Midfielder John Fleck came close as he was given time to send an effort just wide from 25 yards out.

But the hosts were quick to claw their way back in. Retaining possession around the United area, they were in need of some skill to slip through a rack of red and white. Step up, Teemu Pukki. Buendia’s low ball from the right cut through the box, the striker sweeping a shot away from Henderson into the top corner. It was a very clever Finnish finish, the team crowding around the corner flag in celebration of the striker’s 17th of the season.

New loanee signings Kieran Dowell and Gary Madine, fresh from Premier League sides Everton and Cardiff respectively, made their first league starts for the Blades. Despite Madine forcing a good save from Krul to tip his shot round the post, in a quick reaction to Pukki’s goal, the two failed to make a defining impact – though you could argue they’ll need time to adjust.

Sheffield United's Billy Sharp struck twice (Action Images)

As the clock ticked on, it was time for Norwich to show why, in the midst of an unavoidably thrilling Championship season, sit one of few teams capable of wielding its pressure in the final minutes. With a single defeat from their last 17 league games, the Canaries have consistently soldiered through fixtures to snatch points at the death when they’ve been widely considered a beaten team. However, they’ve been recent victims of this too, Derby and Portsmouth both leaving Carrow Road with a late win. And Sheffield United were happy to attempt to add themselves to that list.

Substitute Mark Duffy’s looping ball to the back post sent the Norwich defence into panic, with Billy Sharp edging in front of them all to head home his second. The striker put his fingers firmly to his lips to hush the home fans as he dashed away in jubilation with 10 minutes remaining.

The final moments were then tense, as Norwich pushed for a typical late winner, and it felt like they would unearth more drama. But Wilder's United carefully took their time. They had done their job, and were content with a point. They'd scored twice from three attempts on target, and thanks to their efficiency were happy to sit back and block out the hosts to split the honours evenly.