Norwich City 2-2 Swansea City: Championship pointers

1 - All but there 

Norwich City, barring an incredible eight-goal swing on the final day of the Championship campaign, will be playing play-off football in the coming weeks. 

They needed a favour from Ipswich Town. They got one - and it was probably the one that felt better than a blue and white win.

A dramatic 3-3 draw means Hull sit three points behind the Canaries heading into the final day, but with Norwich enjoying a seven-goal cushion over them, it would take an extraordinary set of circumstances to see them miss out now. 

After a flat ending at Carrow Road owing to Norwich failing to seize their opportunity, the mood will have been much more relaxed come the end of the evening. 

None of those in contention for the top six look to be entering the play-offs in fine form. West Brom have lost their last three, Norwich have drawn three of their last four, Southampton have lost three on the spin, Ipswich have drawn their last three and Leeds have lost three of their last five. 

What does that mean ahead of the play-offs? Well, that is for you to decide. Wagner's Huddersfield side won just three of their final 10 before securing promotion at Wembley in 2017/18. 

This point has moved Norwich into fifth place after West Brom took a pummeling away to Sheffield Wednesday. As it stands, that would set up a play-off semi-final against Russell Martin's Southampton. 

If they fail to beat Birmingham and West Brom conquer Preston, there will be a reunion with Daniel Farke and his Leeds United side unless Ipswich Town fail to take their chance to secure automatic promotion in the remaining matches. 

Clear your diaries for May. Tentatively book those refundable hotels. 

2 - Take a bow 

Gabby Sara was nicknamed 'the Astronaut' during his spell at Sao Paulo, which feels apt given he is producing moments that are out of this world for Norwich City currently. 

He may not have been the recipient of the Player of the Season award, but there is no disputing his quality and how often he has almost singlehandedly ensured Norwich have won points that are crucial to their Championship fortunes. 

With Norwich staring adversity in the face after Jamie Paterson's opening strike, step forward Sara with a sprinkling of Brazilian magic to flip this contest on its head. 

First it was a stunning strike from range, out of scraps, to restore parity. The pace, accuracy and dip on the ball resulted in it whistling past the flailing Carl Rushworth before kissing the underside of the bar on its way into the net. 

Then a sumptuous cross to pick out Josh Sargent's run to the back post, allowing him to guide the ball past Rushworth to put City ahead. It was a fine display from their samba man. 

The midfielder is now competing against himself in the goal of the season competition. Be it the individual goal against Leeds, the volley against Rotherham or this pearler from range - the quality is almost becoming a trademark. 

It is the goals. The assists. But it's so much more. The incisive passing, the flicks and the tireless running in possession. He is the type of player who connects you with that first childhood love of the game. 

There is a reason so many clubs are monitoring his progress ahead of a summer where his premium will be sky high. It may take promotion to the Premier League for Norwich to keep him in NR1. 

His numbers have surpassed James Maddison's during that wonderful 2017/18 campaign that led to a £25million move to Leicester. Sara will be on many shortlists this summer. 

For all the discourse around recruitment, it is impossible to describe their first product of South America as anything other than a resounding success. 

Kenny McLean was presented with the Barry Butler Memorial trophy before kick off. (Image: Paul Chesterton)

3 - King Kenny 

David Wagner admitted his surprise that Kenny McLean had emerged through a flood of candidates to be crowned as the latest winner of the Barry Butler Memorial Trophy - but that is a testament to the season the Scottish international has enjoyed at Carrow Road. 

Despite fierce competition from Gabby Sara, Josh Sargent, Jon Rowe, Angus Gunn and perhaps even Jack Stacey - McLean became the eighth Scot to be presented with the award ahead of kick-off. 

Norwich fought off strong interest from Daniel Farke and Leeds United to keep the Scotsman at the club last summer, even handing him a new contract as a show of intent. 

Since Wagner's arrival, McLean has been transformed. In a deeper position, his range of passing and newfound emotional control have enabled him to hit levels of consistency that gave him the edge for the gong. 

Has he been the City player with the most quality? No. But has he been the one with the most importance? Yes. Even when asked to play in central defence, he did so with willingness and confidence. 

This was another example of his tireless nature and love of competition. The disappointment etched on his face at the full whistle captured the flat mood inside Carrow Road captured that perfectly. 

His majorship of Norwich may have been traded for a more senior position. If he can lift the play-off winning trophy at Wembley, he will be in legendary territory. 

4 - Shifting pieces 

The surprise decision in the Norwich team news was the choice to swap out experienced forward Ashley Barnes and to hand Christian Fassnacht his first City start in nine matches. 

The Swiss international was candid enough to reflect that his opening campaign with the Canaries hadn't gone in the way he was expecting after taking the leap to leave his homeland for the first time in his career to reunite with David Wagner. 

Given Jon Rowe's return to fitness and the discourse that has followed surrounding how City fit him back into the starting XI, perhaps this offers a blueprint for the way forward. 

Gabriel Sara's performances in a wide right position and increased productivity have allowed Marcelino Nunez to discover his best rhythm in yellow and green whilst Borja Sainz has injected his own electricity into a front line causing teams consistent problems. 

Fassnacht's name hadn't formed part of the conversation. His reinstatement here is proof of how much Wagner values the midfielder. Only five players have converted more than his six goals this season. 

But many will see the shifting pieces as preparing for Rowe's return. That could arrive at St Andrew's in preparation for the play-offs. Fassnacht will have plenty to say about that assumption, however. 

Wagner will have seen the opportunity for change as welcome but also a key tactical ploy given how wedded Swansea are to possession. It was then about Norwich springing attacks in transition. 

At this stage at the season, it is all about keeping your name in the frame and retaining hold of the starting shirt. Fassnacht has it. He is now the man that Rowe will look to have in his sights to reclaim his place.