Norwich manager Daniel Farke admitted a draw was probably a fair result after seeing his side held 2-2 by Sheffield United in a top of the table clash at Carrow Road.

Norwich twice took the lead in what was a pulsating encounter, only to be pegged back each time by Sheffield United's leading scorer Billy Sharpe.

"I think both teams got their fair reward today," said Farke. "There were two high quality sides out there. It was a really good match, played in an excellent atmosphere, and in the end I think it was a fair result.

"Obviously we are still a little bit disappointed because twice we had the lead and then they came back. Just before half-time we were a little bit naive with our play and gave away a penalty, which I think was a little bit soft, and they were able to equalise.

"Then in the second half we got in front and looked in control of the game and didn't give one chance away. Tim Krul didn't have a single save to make but then there was some good movement from Sharpe and he showed what a good player he is by scoring their equaliser.

"We could easily have won this game so I am disappointed to only have drawn it. But overall it was another good performance from the team and you have to remember we did it without players like Alex Tettey, Moritz Leitner and Timm Klose who were all unavailable.

"In the end it's not a bad point – it keeps the gap between us and Sheffield United to three points."

The Canaries got their noses in front after just 11 minutes when Onel Hernandez played a neat one two with Teemu Pukki before slipping the ball through the legs of keeper Dean Henderson.

It was a tough start for the visitors but they rode the storm and were back on level terms on the stroke of half-time, Sharpe converting from the spot after Emi Buendia had brought down Enda Stevens as he burst into the box from the left.

Pukki made it 2-0 11 minutes into the second half when he produced a delightful touch to chip home Max Aarons' cross but the Blades regrouped and had the final say when Sharpe headed home a cross from substitute Mark Duffy in the 78th minute.

Farke was delighted with the quality of Norwich's goals, saying: "The first one was a brilliant piece of football – a great passing move and a good finish for Onel.

"I thought the second one was a world class finish from Teemu. That is the sort of quality he has – in that situation, he was so cool, so precise and it was another excellent goal."

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder was happy to take a point after seeing his side show their battling qualities to bounce back from the previous week's defeat at Swansea.

"We came here to win the game but I'll take a point – it was important we got something out of the game. I think we have lost seven matches by the one goal this season and we didn't want that to happen again," he said.

"Norwich are a good side and made it difficult for us at the start but we got back into it with the penalty and I thought we had a really good spell at the start of second half when we could easily have gone ahead.

"They then scored again but we kept going and were just looking for that little bit of quality which we got in the end. It was a great ball in and Billy has shown his quality by working some space for himself with intelligent movement to head it in.

"I thought it was a real good game between two sides who went out there trying to win it. I think both sets of players will be sitting in the dressing room now thinking 'we have just played a really good side'.

"There was a lot of passion out there – and that's just the way it should be.

"There were two committed managers who want to see their side win, two sets of players wanting to win the game – and it's the same for both sets of supporters. It was a cracking game and I thought the result was just about right."