Head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup admitted Shane Duffy ignored his instructions to score the equaliser as Norwich fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Preston in the Sky Bet Championship.
The 32-year-old left Preston defenders in his wake in the 61st minute, carrying the ball up from the back before continuing his run into the opposition box and slotting in a fantastic tee-up from Josh Sargent.
Preston had gone two goals in front inside 12 minutes, with Sam Greenwood converting a penalty before Duane Holmes doubled their advantage.
But Norwich halved the deficit just before half-time and Duffy ensured a share of the spoils.
On Duffy’s run from deep, Thorup joked: “I don’t think he has covered as much ground as he did today in all of his [career] matches.
“All credit to him because he had a vital role in terms of keeping the balance because I think we were too open when we lost the ball.
“We gave away too many silly transitions where it was just one or two passes for them and they could create a chance.
“I actually told them to stay protective and make sure they were not too open but he saw something different so credit to him.”
On the game, Thorup added: “We have to look at the point we get and say it’s fair enough.
“But even after the second goal we conceded, I still had the belief we could go away from here with three points, especially after Borja [Sainz] scored.
“Our first half after the two goals was good. We were dominant. We had good positions and we created some good opportunities.
“Then, of course, after the goal from Shane [Duffy], I really thought it was there for us to take but then it started to be a little bit too open.”
Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom had mixed emotions after the match.
He said: “I thought we had the better chances and they had more possession. I’m not disappointed with the performance. There’s things in there that we are improving all the time.
“The problem was when you score goals too early, one or two players drop into a bit of a default mode.
“The last 15 minutes of the first half was the only part of the game where I didn’t like us. It was like we were protecting that lead instead of playing in the same way.”
North End midfielder Ali McCann added: “I think as soon as we went in, everyone was a bit deflated, but, under the circumstances, it’s probably a good point in hindsight.
“They’re probably one of the best teams we’ve played so far and to start as well as we did, it’s disappointing to only come away with a point.
“But, in the grand scheme of things, it’s probably a decent one.”
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