Norwich City 1 Coventry City 1
It was not solely the Bywater clan that was glad that Micky Adams decided to bring in an extra keeper just 48 hours before the start of the new season.
Stephen Bywater must have been a tad upset that having helped West Ham to promotion he was jettisoned from between the posts at Upton Park in favour of two bigger - but not necessarily better - names.
That is how he landed at Coventry and his contribution to their first outing played a huge part in them defying the pundits' prediction and even his manager's downbeat view of the first game.
This fixture should have been played at the gleaming new Ricoh Arena, but the build has run over and Adams was asked to play an extra game on his travels. It is clearly not a situation with which he is happy and he let the world know about it, but maybe, just maybe, meeting Norwich in front of highly expectant supporters at Carrow Road and starting as divisional favourites did him and Coventry a favour.
Certainly Bywater - and his family - would have been delighted with such a positive start.
The 24-year-old keeper was delighted to have given his relatives an enjoyable afternoon. He said: "It was great to pick up something away from home. I have not had time to get to know everyone but that is this profession - my mum always told me to be prepared for everything and I had two days training before the game.
"I came here with no expectations. We just went out here with nothing really to lose, were determined to enjoy ourselves and we worked very hard.
"I am paid to play football which is what I want to do and why I came to Coventry. My mum and dad come to games with my girlfriend and they enjoy watching me, so if I don't play then they haven't got a game to go to."
And the decision to being in the 24-year-old certainly proved wise as he pulled off two vital saves which were significant in the outcome of the game.
Adams fielded two other debutants - Matt Heath and James Scowcroft - who have been drafted in from Leicester to add some backbone to a side which Adams felt lacked enough mental strength last season.
It is impossible to tell if the reason for their arrival played a part in this performance but Coventry certainly showed resilience to hang on to Norwich as they threatened to pull away and take the game beyond the reach of Coventry.
Adams' side had started well enough but Norwich, playing three up front, began to find their feet and their form as Dean Ashton, Darren Huckerby and Leon McKenzie came more into the game.
And when Ashton headed then in front mid- way through the half it was no great surprise. Still, Coventry will not be happy with their failings which led to the goal. The defence was far too slow to close down Dean Marney as the ball was returned to him from a cleared corner. The on-loan Spurs midfielder had time to deliver a perfect cross which allowed Ashton to score a routine but well-taken header.
Coventry could well have folded at that stage. Stephen Hughes and Michael Doyle did well enough in the centre of midfield but Adams policy of playing two strikers, Gary McSheffrey and Scowcroft, in wide positions was not reaping obvious benefits.
Scowcroft was winning well in the air but McSheffrey's tendency to move in-field meant the attack often lacked width and therefore penetration.
But they were still in touch at half time and when Bywater pulled off an excellent save to deny McKenzie, it almost seemed to dawn on them that they were in with a chance of a point.
Just three minutes later, McSheffrey stayed out wide, beat his man and delivered a penetrative low cross which Adebloa converted with obvious relish.
There were still scares; Ashton hit the post late on but - maybe it was good fortune or that extra mettle - they survived to make it a very satisfactory start.
