Norwich City 2 Everton 2 match report: Ricky van Wolfswinkel scores on his debut to give Canaries a share of the points after Ross Barkley stunner
Steven Whittaker had put Norwich ahead but goals from Barkley and Seamus Coleman had looked to give Roberto Martinez a winning start before van Wolfswinkel header
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Debutant Ricky van Wolfswinkel's header secured a point for Norwich as four goals in 20 second-half minutes saw Everton share the spoils at Carrow Road on the opening day of the Premier League season.
After commanding much of the game Everton found themselves a goal down at Carrow Road through an unlikely Steven Whittaker goal early in the second half.
Two goals in four minutes just after the hour - the first a stunning effort from Ross Barkley before Seamus Coleman converted a tap-in - looked like putting Roberto Martinez on course for a win in his first game in charge of the Toffees.
But Norwich's club-record signing Van Wolfswinkel produced a fantastic header with a little under 20 minutes remaining to earn his new side a point.
The majority of the first half was dominated by Everton as Martinez stuck to the tried and tested Everton formation and familiar players with none of his summer signings starting in Norfolk.
The visitors only had a tame header from captain Phil Jagielka to show for their dominance in possession in the early exchanges before Whittaker lost the ball after needlessly dawdling inside his own penalty area, but Steven Pienaar could not capitalise and bent his shot over the crossbar.
The home side finally came to life after 15 minutes when Bradley Johnson's pass was knocked into the path of Elliott Bennett by Wes Hoolahan, but £8.5million summer signing Van Wolfswinkel's header was deflected behind for a corner.
Van Wolfswinkel was involved again moments later as he latched on to a fine long ball by Russell Martin and crossed towards Hoolahan, only for Sylvain Distin to make a diving clearance in front of the Republic of Ireland international.
That period of domination for Norwich seemed to stir Everton and they again took control of proceedings with Kevin Mirallas firing just wide of John Ruddy's right-hand post after a neat interchange with Nikica Jelavic.
Mirallas again came close to opening the scoring just before the half-hour mark as his effort from Coleman's cross was defected behind off Martin. The Toffees started to dictate the tempo as the first half drew to a close but they still could not truly test their former goalkeeper Ruddy.
The Belgium international was on the end of a free-flowing move by Everton early in the second half which saw him thrash an effort in to the side netting following good work down the right by Leon Osman and Coleman.
But it was Norwich who took the lead shortly afterwards courtesy of right-back Whittaker.
The Scotland international stumbled his way through a couple of Everton challenges before opening up his body and curling a left-footed effort past Tim Howard and against the post.
Whittaker then reacted quicker than any of the visitors' defenders and was on hand to roll the rebound in to the empty net and give the Canaries the lead just six minutes after the interval.
Everton responded well to falling behind and equalised in superb style just 10 minutes later as Barkley hammered in his first goal for the club, arrowing an effort past Ruddy and deservedly levelling for the visitors.
It did not take Everton long to establish the lead their play for much of the game had warranted.
Pienaar slipped a smart ball in to Jelavic, whose shot was well-saved by Ruddy, but Coleman was following up and had the simple task of rolling home the rebound to turn the game on its head.
Everton, however, had even less time to enjoy their lead than Norwich had done earlier in the game as the hosts refuse to lay down, pulling level after 71 minutes.
Whittaker was again heavily involved as his speculative left-foot strike from the edge of the area turned in to the perfect cross for Van Wolfswinkel to direct a header past Howard and level the match once more.
Visiting substitute Steven Naismith forced a smart save out of Ruddy from close range with Martin making a superb block from Jelavic on the follow-up and Coleman saw a late drive fly just wide as Everton did more to find a winning goal that never came.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments