Arsenal U18 2, Norwich City U18 2

Norwich City responded from two goals behind at the interval to claim a share of the points against reigning FA Premier Academy League Champions and FA Youth Cup holders Arsenal.

Norwich City responded from two goals behind at the interval to claim a share of the points against reigning FA Premier Academy League Champions and FA Youth Cup holders Arsenal.

The Gunners started the morning topping Group A, and although equal on points with Norwich City, only goal difference separated them.

The Autumn chill at Bell Lane was in abundance as Arsenal showed the qualities throughout the match that had them clinch two honours last season at this level.

Arsenal showed early signs of domination as Steer made a timely save, diving to his right on 14 minutes from Aneke.

Following an Arsenal corner Frimpong shot wide of goal.

On 20 minutes Norwich allowed a direct run through midfield by Frimpong who eventually went to ground following a Norwich challenge.

From the free kick involving Deacen and Frimpong the latter player's shot was well blocked.

Another Arsenal effort, this time from Freeman, was further halted.

Norwich's best chance of the half came on 27 minutes.

A corner from Habergham was met by Stephens as he gained height in the Arsenal penalty area, and directed the ball with his forehead on goal. Kelly, causing a nuisance amongst defenders, then applied what appeared a finishing touch only for Dunne to save.On 37 minutes Arsenal, following a goal line clearance from Brindley which resulted in a corner, took the lead.

The ball from the flag kick eluded Steer and Freeman had the easiest of tasks by prodding the ball into the net.

Just three minutes later a lapse of concentration by Brindley saw Afobe seize on the loose ball before making a burst for the penalty area and shooting pass Steer.

With 45 minutes on the clock it was Steer who produced a terrific diving save to keep out a fierce rising effort from Afobe.

Norwich City's response to the second half was second to none as they dug in and opened the game up, with minimal risks, from the time Stephens was pushed into a midfield role following substitutions.

Although just prior to this change Steer was called upon to make a breathtaking one-handed save from Freeman.

Norwich were clawing their way back. A Dumic header from a Habergham corner rebounded back into play from an Arsenal upright and then Kelly nipped into the penalty area, with assistance from Stephens and Dawkin, only to side foot the ball, en route to goal, only to be foiled by Dunne's outstretched left hand.

Two minutes later Kelly was rewarded when he latched onto Drmola's short pass inside the Arsenal penalty area to shoot pass Dunne to net.

On 72 minutes a rampaging run down the left flank by Evina, picked out Ozyakup, and Gordon just did enough by clearing the ball away from goal.

Then on 87 minutes came one of the goals of the season, as Norwich made further inroads into Arsenal's half of the field. Stephens, in the middle of the park, brought the ball under control, and from thirty yards out, swivelled and hammered the leather beyond Dunne into the far top corner to equalise, and with this, earned a very valuable away point for Norwich on their travels.

t Arsenal: Dunne, Byles, Evina, Frimpong, Obed, Boateng, Deacen, Ozyakup, Afobe, Aneke, Freeman.

Subs: Bristen-Hall (for Freeman, 75), Yennans (for Obed, 80), Meade, Miquel.

t Norwich City: Steer, Brindley, Habergham, Osemwegie, Dumic, D Stephens, Clarke, Ball, Kelly, Oakley, Dawkin.

Subs: Drmola (for Clarke, 46), Gordon (for Ball, 61), Nwaogu (for Oakley, 85), Matthews, A Stephens.