English Premier League roundup: Norwich hold Liverpool as all-too familiar errors play part

Kenny Dalglish’s side hit the woodwork three times among several other chances but had only Craig Bellamy’s late first-half goal against his former club to show for their efforts.

And a side which has kept only two clean sheets all season should have known what was coming as a result.

They were punished on the hour when Grant Holt headed home just three minutes after coming off the bench to spoil what would have been a perfect story for Bellamy on his first Liverpool start since May 2007.

Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy denied Luis Suarez’s late volley to seal the draw and said: “I’m just delighted with the point. I’m pleased to make it [the save from Suarez].

“It’s like Grant scoring the goal. When you make a save like that the buzz is massive.”

A terse Mick McCarthy said he did not care about the criticism he received from the Wolves support after seeing his side come from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Swansea at Molineux.

McCarthy’s side appeared to be heading for a sixth straight defeat when they trailed 2-0 after the visitors scored first-half goals through Danny Graham and Joe Allen, and they left the field to a chorus of boos at half-time.

But Kevin Doyle pulled a goal back from close range in the 84th minute, with Jamie O’Hara grabbing the equaliser just two minutes later to alleviate some of the pressure on McCarthy. But the manager, who limited the majority of his answers during his post-match press conference to a handful of words, refused to be drawn on his feelings regarding the Molineux fans.

“They [the fans] can react all they like, it was a great point today and I am delighted. We have needed something to end the run of defeats. We needed a bit of luck or a bit of magic and if this proves to be a turning point I will be delighted.”

McCarthy also jokingly challenged the assembled media to a fight, after being asked about his battling qualities as a manager. “I’m up for a scrap if anyone fancies it,” he said. “If someone wants one now I’ll happily accommodate them.”

Paul Scharner’s second-half goal earned West Brom their first away league win over ten-man Aston Villa for 32 years. Villa went ahead in the West Midlands derby through Darren Bent’s penalty but the game turned Albion’s way after midfielder Chris Herd was red-carded after 35 minutes following a clash with Jonas Olsson inside his own box. Chris Brunt missed the spot-kick but the Baggies cashed in on Villa’s frailty at set-pieces with Olsson equalising before half-time and Scharner netting the winner – both from Brunt corners. Victory completed a quickfire derby double for Albion after last week’s triumph over Wolves and they have collected 11 points from their last six games.

Late goals from Stephane Sessegnon and Nicklas Bendtner earned Sunderland their first away win of the season and left beleaguered Bolton without a point from five matches at the Reebok Stadium.