Here is Paddy’s verdict on David Wagner’s Norwich City, on a night when Borja Sainz announced his arrival as a Championship player for the Canaries.

• Angus Gunn              6

Heart in mouth moment in the 12th minute when Shane Duffy rolled the ball back to him in the area and one touch allowed the impressive Bailey Cadamarteri to steal, but the Irishman thwarted the forward on the byline.

Parried Michael Ihekwe’s glancing header seven yards out. Then clutched Bambo Diaby’s far post header, with Owls’ players closing in during the visitors best spell. Took another cross under pressure from Akin Famewo.

Second half more of a watching brief with the Owls’ intensity dropping, but had to navigate a 10-minute stoppage time spell that included a smart stop at his back post from Callum Paterson.

• Kellen Fisher                5

Needed more protection from Duffy in particular on his first Carrow Road start. Did try and get high and wide but the excellent Anthony Musaba was quick to press during that first half.

Left with two to deal with on the Owls’ equaliser after Ihewke rose above Ashley Barnes to flick on the initial throw.

Fine tackle in first half stoppage time to halt Musaba inside his own half. Wagner opted for the more experienced Jack Stacey at the interval.

Wagner pointed out afterwards part of his thinking for the half-time change was limiting the risk factor, after he picked up a late booking in the first period.

• Shane Duffy              5

Strange decision to carve a ball across his own penalty box that veered out of play on the opposite flank for the throw in which brought the Sheffield Wednesday equaliser.

Was alert to the danger when Angus Gunn was robbed by Cadamarteri in a rather fraught spell after Sainz’ stunning finish.

Brave block from Cadamarteri before doing enough to force Musaba to rifle over from close range.

• Kenny McLean ©                   7

Understandable defensive concerns will persist with the central midfielder continuing at centre back. However, when tested in that area proved very secure. Perfectly-timed block tackle on Cadamarteri in the fifth minute and a later excellent sliding block on Ihekwe halted Owls’ counters.

What you do get with McLean is composure and a willingness to step back into familiar territory. Broke the lines to angle a ball into the feet of Sainz for the opener.

Prior to that a raking crossfield ball for the advanced Kellen Fisher. Vital interception to cut out Diaby’s ball in the 67th minute and then the ability to release Adam Idah.

Another excellent near post sliding challenge in the 70th minute with Cadamarteri poised to slot Will Vaulks’ low cross.

• Dimi Giannoulis      6

Conjured a pair of perfect crosses within the space of a second half minute. The first one from Gabby Sara’s set was attacked by Barnes at the near post before a deeper effort the diving Jon Rowe sneaked past Cameron Dawson to seal the win.

Got his body in the way of Paterson’s swinging first half effort.

Another adventurous burst on the half-hour mark saw Idah’s near post run and flick tee up the unmarked Barnes, who sidefooted a rising effort against the bar from 12 yards.

• Marcelino Nunez   6

Quieter shift than against Preston. Raking ball intended for Fisher early on but Musaba won the aerial duel. Swung in a free kick from the right that momentarily dropped inside the Wednesday penalty area, but there were no takers in green and yellow.

Switch of play in the second period to find the overlapping Stacey, who stood up a cross Barnes attacked, before Sara’s strike was deflected over.

• Gabby Sara                7

Creator-in-chief again. Sharp on the counter that brought Rowe’s third when he exchanged passes with Idah in central midfield and then clipped a gorgeous ball with the outside of his left around the full back to pick out Sainz’s run.

It was also his initial pass to Giannoulis that teed up the Greek to cross for Rowe.

There was another instinctive first-touch touch that released Barnes prior to the interval, but the forward rifled over with Dawson to beat. The Brazilian’s pinpoint pass released Giannoulis, inside the opening moments, but his cross was blocked.

Slaloming run down the left in first half stoppage time, and cross on the run, was met by Barnes but his looping header was gathered.

Snapshot blocked in the 72nd minute, after sensing an opportunity from Barnes’ drop down header.

• Jon Rowe             6

Right place, right time but still had plenty to do when he threw himself at Giannoulis’ cross behind Famewo. A ninth goal of a productive campaign.

But, in truth, for the most part struggled to have the same threat as Sainz. Albeit was only denied another goal in first half stoppage time by a brilliant goal-saving block from Paterson to foil his shot seven yards out.

One fine piece of defensive work inside the opening 15 minutes, when he got out to Vaulks to pressure a shot screwed wide.

• Ashley Barnes                    6

Goal was a reward for perseverance. Just got himself the wrong side of Famewo and then the quality of Sainz’s roll did the rest as he slid in from close range. But could have had a brace prior to the interval.

Positioning was spot on for Idah’s cut back, only for the striker's effort to smack the bar from 12 yards. Then appeared to do the hard part when he swerved around Famewo but as Dawson raced from his line put too much on the finish that cleared the bar.

Beaten in his own box by Ihewke for the flick on that brought Cadamarteri’s equaliser. Looping header from another Sara set was easy for Dawson to claim.

• Borja Sainz           8

First Championship start marked by a goal out of the top drawer. Was on the move inside when he received the ball from Kenny McLean, but the speed of his body swerve took him away from Vaulks and Diaby, and his quality did the rest with a thumping right footed shot from 20 yards crashed past Dawson.

Nutmegged Cadamarteri in central midfield to delight the home fans and underscore his growing confidence. Then in transition showed his value again when he pulled wide to receive Sara’s pass and had the presence of mind to carve a square ball with the outside of his right Barnes despatched on the slide.

Left to a standing ovation and a hug from his head coach.

• Adam Idah   6

Hold up play improved after the opening quarter when he struggled against the Owls’ physical centre backs. Very sharp work on the counter for Barnes’ goal shortly after the break, when he dropped deep and cushioned the perfect ball back into Sara’s path.

Made that trigger run to the near post late in the first half, and had the awareness to set Giannoulis’ cross into the path of Barnes, who had to finish.

Subs

• Jack Stacey (for Fisher, 45)                5

Half-time introduction, and aided by a clear drop in intensity from the visitors. Best attacking burst was the link with Marcelino Nunez and the deep cross attacked by Barnes.

• Christian Fassnacht (for Rowe 78)                 4

• Onel Hernandez (for Sainz, 78)        4

• Danny Batth (for Sara, 85)                   n/a

• Liam Gibbs (for Idah, 85)       n/a