BRISTOL CITY NORWICH CITY MAX POWER

Aarons keeps the Canaries singing

MAX AARONS headed a 78th minute equaliser to earn Norwich a point from a Championship thriller.

The result was not enough to stop Leeds United replacing Daniel Farke’s side at the top.

But the manager had good cause for satisfaction over his team’s battling qualities against an inspired Bristol outfit.

Marco Stiepermann (right) hit a left- footed curler from just outside the box on 39 minutes to give the visitors the lead.

But seconds before the break Famara Diedhiou, celebrating his 26th birthday, hit a deflected equaliser from 15 yards, having been set up by Andreas Weimann.

Eight minutes into the second half impressive Bristol winger Callum O’dowda smashed home a shot off the crossbar after being put clear by Marlon Pack’s incisive through ball.

But Norwich hit back when fullback Aarons turned up at the far post to head in a cross from the right by sub Onel Hernandez and ended the game on top.

Both teams set out to pass the ball quickly on the slick surface and an open contest developed.

Diedhiou was looking sharp up front for Bristol and his 20thminute drive from 25 yards brought a low save from Tim Krul.

Norwich looked set to take a 25th-minute lead when Teemu Pukki broke clear down the left and cut inside only to see his low shot well saved by Niki Maenpaa.

But Bristol also threatened and it took some brilliant goalkeeping from Krul to keep out the visitors.

First he tipped over a Jamie Paterson volley after a penetrating run from O’dowda and then produced a better save to keep out Josh Brownhill’s 30-yard drive.

Stiepermann’s goal looked set to give Norwich the edge at the break, but Diedhiou’s reply was thoroughly merited at the end of an even first period.

Bristol felt their opponents should have been reduced to 10 men five minutes into the second half when Norwich skipper Alex Tettey, already booked, pulled back Pack to prevent a break.

Roared on by their fans, Bristol looked to make the game safe and Brownhill was inches over with another longrange strike.

Krul saved at the second attempt from Brownhill.

But Norwich proved resilient and it was Maenpaa who had to make the final save to keep out a fierce shot from substitute Grant Hanley.

Wayne Routledge’s goal gave Swans victory CALL OF DUTY Callum O’dowda’s second-half strike for the Robins HEAD BOYMax Aarons netted City’s leveller (below)