Alex Neil admits to 'mixed emotions' as Norwich City and Newcastle United share the spoils
Norwich City 2-2 Newcastle United
Norwich City manager Alex Neil admitted he had "mixed emotions" after his side held The Championship leaders Newcastle United to a 2-2 draw in a pulsating game at Carrow Road.
The Canaries, who were missing several first team players through injury, got off to the worst possible start as Ayoze Pérez put the visitors ahead within 23 seconds but rallied well to go in at half-time 2-1 up through goals from Cameron Jerome and Jacob Murphy.
However, they dropped deeper as the second-half wore on and the Magpies found a deserved equaliser with nine minutes remaining as captain Jamaal Lascelles volleyed home.
Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy also made a series of stunning saves to preserve a point for his team, and after the match Neil said a draw was a fair result.
"It's a whole mixtures of emotions really because obviously you don't expect to concede in the first minute, so that was extremely frustrating and disappointing from our point of view," Neil said.
"But equally, I thought once we got the first goal our response from being down that early was excellent.
"It was two teams going toe-to-toe and I thought it made for a really entertaining and open game. I thought the tempo was of Premier League standard."
The result did little for Norwich's hopes of making the play-offs though, as the majority of the sides above them picked up wins.
It means that they're now four points off sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday, who also have a game in hand.
The Canaries travel to relegation-threatened Burton Albion on Saturday (18 February) before hosting local rivals Ipswich Town a week later.