Norwich finally guaranteed their First Division safety as Malky Mackay's
17th-minute header earned them all three points, although results elsewhere
meant the Canaries would have been safe even if they had lost.
The match, which attracted City's biggest crowd of the season, was played out
in an incredible carnival atmosphere with the huge Sheffield Wednesday
travelling contingent never stopping singing throughout the 90 minutes.
But the excitement in the stands had little to do with the activity, or rather
lack of it, on the pitch as both sides appeared to go through the motions to
produce a dull end-of-season encounter.
The all-important goal arrived when former Celtic defender Mackay rose high to
head home Phil Mulryne's corner from the right with midfielder Aaron Lescott
unable to stop the looping effort on the line.
The Canaries had earlier tested goalkeeper Kevin Pressman as Mulryne's low
25-yarder brought a comfortable save, although the home side were unable to get
another shot on target in the entire match.
Wednesday's only goalbound effort was Ian Hendon's 37th-minute free-kick which
bought a smart save to his left from keeper Andy Marshall, probably playing his
last home game for the club before leaving on a free transfer during the
summer.
While the first half was low-key the second was desperately poor with the
pulsating atmosphere failing to raise either side.
Norwich should have really made the points safe with the only decent move of
the half as Danish defender Steen Nedergaard latched on to Darel Russell's
incisive through-ball only to shoot just wide as Pressman rushed out to block.
At the other end Wednesday had most of the possession but struggled to carve
out decent openings.
The nearest they came was during injury time when substitute Simon Donnelly
fired wildly over at the far post after an excellent deep cross from former
Canary Efan Ekoku.
Teams
Norwich: Marshall, Jackson, Mackay, Fleming, Kenton, Russell,
Mulryne, Llewellyn (McVeigh 90), Nedergaard, Roberts, Notman.
Subs Not Used: McGovern, Green, Forbes, Holt.
Booked: Nedergaard, Marshall.
Goals: Mackay 18.
Sheff Wed Pressman, Hendon, Westwood, Bromby, Ripley,
Soltvedt, Sibon, Lescott (Donnelly 29), Harkness (Geary 72),
De Bilde (Hamshaw 59), Ekoku.
Subs Not Used: Stringer, Haslam.
Booked: Westwood, Sibon, Hendon.
Att: 21,241
Ref: W Jordan (Tring).
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