It was so nearly a famous giant-killing for Norwich City at Arsenal tonight, until the intervention of 18-year-old striker Eddie Nketiah broke Canaries’ hearts at the Emirates.
Josh Murphy’s superb chip midway through the first half looked set to shock the Premier League giants and send Daniel Farke’s in-form team into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Just short of 9,000 travelling fans were relishing a famous night as they turned north London bright yellow, only to see the Gunners rally and overwhelm their team.
Nketiah had just been put on by Arsene Wenger and was in the right place at the right time to prod home from close range after Francis Coquelin had flicked on a Theo Walcott corner in the 85th minute.
The hosts still needed extra-time though, Nketiah rising highest to power home a header from another Walcott corner in the sixth minute of extra-time and deny the Canaries a special triumph, as well as a sixth away win on the bounce – despite a brave display which came so close to glory on the big stage.
• Take a look at some of the best of the reaction above
• Follow all the post-match reaction and analysis in out Matchday Live blog at pinkun.com/live
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here