REPORT | Southampton 4-4 Norwich City

Norwich City played out a thrilling 4-4 draw with Southampton at St Mary's Stadium in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Norwich City played out a thrilling 4-4 draw with Southampton at St Mary's Stadium in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon.

A tale of eight goals, two penalties, 11 yellow cards and just one point for each team.

The Canaries thought they had snatched it when Christian Fassnacht scored in the 84th minute but Adam Armstrong's second goal from the spot in the 97th minute ensured it would finish level.

City had been rewarded for a fast start when Josh Sargent headed them in front at the back post, getting on the end of an excellent delivery from Jack Stacey.

It had come after earlier efforts from Jonathan Rowe and Onel Hernández in the seven minutes of play before that.

That goal sparked the home team into life, however, and they soon took control. Ten minutes later, they would equalise through Jan Bednarek after Angus Gunn had first denied Jack Stephens.

And they edged ahead just four minutes later thanks to Adam Armstrong's spot-kick after Shane Duffy had been penalised for handball.

But, the Canaries' equaliser was even quicker in following as Gabriel Sara rifled an a left-footed effort past Gavin Bazunu to complete a manic opening 25 minutes.

Both sides continued to threaten, Kenny McLean was in the right place at the right time to divert a header away from his own goal.

As with last week's season opener, Rowe popped up with a goal in first-half added time. His glancing header from a Sara corner seeing David Wagner's men head in at the break with the advantage.

The second half started as lively as the first had finished. The Saints quickly moved forward where Carlos Alcaraz forced a good save out of Angus Gunn.

An injury forced Russell Martin into introducing Che Adams early in the half and he had a big impact for the hosts, getting them level with a powerful low shot in the 57th minute.

Norwich thought they had pulled away once again just minutes later when Ashley Barnes bundled the ball home from close range after Sara's free-kick had been stopped by Bazunu. However, the assistant referee had his flag raised.

Southampton tested the durability of the woodwork through Alcaraz with just over 15 minutes remaining.

A huge chance fell to substitute Christian Fassnacht when his support run on a counter-attack was found by Sargent, but Bazunu was out quick to sniff out the danger.

But it was forgotten in the 84th minute when he did get his first goal for the club when a mistake at the back allowed him to smash home to the bottom corner.

Sadly, there was to be one last twist in this game as a second penalty for Southampton allowed Adam Armstrong the opportunity to make it 4-4 at the death.

Southampton: Bazunu, Walker-Peters, Stephens (C), Bednarek, Manning, Alcaraz, S Armstrong (Charles 64), Smallbone (Amo-Ameyaw 87), Edozie, (Adams 47) A Armstrong, Tella.

Unused sub: McCarthy, Aribo, Bree, Mara, Djenepo, Lyanco

Goals: Bednarek (17), A Armstrong (21 pen, 90+7 pen), Adams (57)

Bookings: Smallbone (40), Edozie (45), Tella (50), Stephens (59), Adams (75), Charles (76), Bednarek (77)

Norwich City: Gunn, Stacey, Duffy, Gibson, Giannoulis, McLean (C), Sara (Núñez 87), Rowe (Springett 71), Hernández (Fassnacht 58), Barnes (Idah 87), Sargent.

Unused subs: Krul, Omobamidele, Gibbs, McCallum, Fisher.

Goals: Sargent (7), Sara (23), Rowe (45+2), Fassnacht (84)

Bookings: McLean (1), Springett (77), Stacey (90+1), Núñez (90+4)

Referee: Darren England

Venue: St Mary's Stadium

Attendance: 30,113