Norwich City 2-2 Swansea: Six things you might have missed

1 - On a par

It's an exclusive club to be in, but Gabriel Sara has seemingly elevated himself to the same status as Norwich legends Emi Buendia and Wes Hoolahan.

The same 'enjoy it while it lasts' mentality that defined the pair's final years in yellow and green has started to echo as the Brazilian looks more and more like a Premier League player.

Statistically he's starting to match up to Buendia as well. Against Luke Williams' side he made nine key passes, a number only his creative predecessor has been able to match in the last 10 years.

Throw in a tidy assist and yet another screamer, and there won't have been many fans doing anything but purring about their number 17.

2 - Cross with himself

He's been a significant part of City's turnaround in form this year, but Swansea's visit was an afternoon to forget for right-back Jack Stacey.

He found himself in the same promising positions he usually occupies, charging forward to get fans off their seats and Swans defenders worried.

His end product was way off the mark, however, failing to find a yellow shirt with all 11 of his centres during the game.

He was also dispossessed twice, more than any other Norwich player, and saw his one shot blocked, adding up to an outing he'll want to move on from as quickly as possible.

Jack Stacey had a tough afternoon (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

3 - Out of touch

Speaking of afternoon's to forget, that won't be especially hard when it comes to Ashley Barnes' brief cameo.

He replaced Borja Sainz after 67 minutes, having gone into the game struggling with an achilles injury, and exited with a separate calf issue a quarter of an hour later without touching the ball.

The impact this had on City's play-off push may have been slim in reference to the result, but further fitness worries are not what David Wagner wanted just as the physio table started to become redundant.

Barnes' swift exit felt like a minor footnote in what was a crucial game, but it wasn't a good time to lose a crucial element of your tactical system.

4 - Shooting boots

Josh Sargent had the most shots of any player on the pitch, that's a given. His nine shots were no surprise given his centre-piece status and determination to score, with one of those a fine header to put the hosts 2-1 up.

What was a surprise was the player with the second-highest number of shots. Ask any fan and they'd likely have said Sara, Borja Sainz, Christian Fassnacht or Marcelino Nunez.

Few would expect to hear that centre-back Shane Duffy had five attempts on goal, the second-highest of his side and more than any Swansea player mustered.

He'll be frustrated he couldn't make one count, with two cleared off the line and another pair decent headed opportunities. There's no doubting the Irishman's status as a set-piece asset, but he'll hope to add to his single goal before the season's up.

Shane Duffy came close to scoring twice (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

5 - Towering

One statistical area in which you'd expect Duffy to shine is aerials won, and shine he did. He was victorious in eight aerial duels and physically dominated throughout.

But he didn't stand alone in that department, with Sam McCallum winning the same number. The left-back is often criticised for his defensive weakness, seen by fans as a typically modern attacking player and vulnerable in his own half.

He's clearly got the attributes to stand up to the battle, however, and also made as many tackles (four) as any other player on the pitch.

Wagner's labelling him a naturally defensive full-back may have shocked many, but the stats were there to prove him right on Saturday.

Sam McCallum was an aerial threat (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

6 - Come back soon

It's rare that a lap of appreciation feels so insincere, for City's players knew there was a good chance they'd be seeing these fans again before long.

Hull's draw with Ipswich takes that one step further, with multiple severe shocks needed to deny the Canaries play-off qualification.

They'll almost certainly be back at Carrow Road on Sunday, May 12, when a good result would mean off-the-scale appreciation.