Oscar Schwartau came on from the bench to lead Norwich to a 2-1 win over Millwall, greatly benefiting bitter rivals Ipswich.
The Lions, who started Easter Monday in second place, took the lead just after half-time with a goal from substitute Mihailo Ivanovic.
However, a long-range rocket from the winner between Pelle Mattsson and Schwartau handed them defeat in a bid to give Norwich’s chasing pack, including East Anglia rivals Ipswich, a major boost in the race for automatic promotion.
Norwich, who have won seven of their last nine away league games to keep their slim hopes of making the play-offs alive, got off to a quick start, with Anis Ben Suliman’s shot deflected wide just 60 seconds into the game.
Norwich City’s Pelle Mattsson celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal of the game
Matthias Qvistgaarden and Ali Ahmed also had their shots blocked when Millwall defenders threw themselves in front of the ball, just as they did in Good Friday’s big win at Middlesbrough.
Slimane managed to break through the shackles and his shot was easily handled by goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.
Norwich had two great chances to take the lead. In the first, Jack Stacey ran clear from the right, but his shot crossed the goal and struck the wrong side of the far post.
Kenny McLean then met Ahmed’s cross, but was unable to get the ball into the net.
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Norwich took the lead against Millwall with Oscar Schwartau scoring his second goal of the game.
The Lions were quiet in the first half, with Femi Azeez fending off a few challenges before going wide and threatening only when Tristan Klama headed home in the second half.
Just before half-time, McLean had a heated discussion with Millwall manager Alex Neil, who had previously managed Norwich, in an attempt to at least give the home crowd something to get excited about.
Neal introduced Ivanovic in place of the ineffective Luke Kandol, and the move paid off 11 minutes into the second half.
Klama played a great ball to Casper de Norre, whose cross was headed in by Ivanovic and slotted home from four yards out.
But eight minutes later Norwich equalized when the ball reached Mattsson 20 yards out and the Dane smashed his first shot into the top corner.
Then, in the 76th minute, Norwich made it 3-2 and Mohamed Toure, playing nervously with fellow sub Schwartau, easily got past the exposed Patterson and City won.
managers
Alex Neil of Millwall:
“The problem we had was the energy in the middle of the pitch. We were a little tired and not our usual selves.
“We didn’t move the ball enough. I don’t know if it was nerves or a lack of quality, but I thought Norwich were the better side.”
“We managed to score the first goal, but the biggest disappointment is that we were usually good from that position.
“It’s a disappointing day. I don’t think we played well enough to win the game and we didn’t defend the two moments well enough.”
Philippe Clement of Norwich:
“I told the players in the locker room that it was a great performance for me.
“I have a lot of respect for Millwall and what the manager here is doing this season and what a tough place this will be.
“If you don’t have enough movement against this team, you’re going to get hit.
“It bodes well to be this dominant and to be a better team. This morning I challenged them again and they responded.”
