Norwich City 1 Derby County 0

30 November, 2002

Central defender Malky Mackay marked his return to the first team with a priceless winning goal ten minutes from time in this hard-fought clash with Derby at Carrow Road.

The game had looked to be drifting towards a disappointing goalless draw until Mackay rose well to send a looping header inside the far post from Phil Mulryne’s corner.

City boss Nigel Worthington changed the team which lost 2-0 at Burnley last weekend, with Phil Mulryne returning from suspension and David Nielsen dropped to the subs bench to make way for a tactical reshuffle.

Malky Mackay returned to the centre of defence alongside Craig Fleming, with Darren Kenton pushed out to right-back. Meanwhile there were more changes in midfield, with Steen Nedergaard looking to get in some of his trademark telling crosses from the right and Mark Rivers moving over to the left.

It was visitors Derby who applied the early pressure, Riggott heading the game’s first real chance over the bar in the 8th minute after an opening spell which saw City’s reshuffled back four forced to work hard.

The Canaries defended patiently as they waited for their chance to mount a meaningful attack of their own, Paul McVeigh’s speculative 30-yarder straight into the arms of Derby keeper Grant in the 12th minute being their first threat to the visitors’ goal.

Two minutes later Rivers showed no signs of finding his switch to the left problematic as he embarked on a scintillating run which took him past three Derby players, only for his cross to be frantically cleared by the defence.

In the 24th minute Rivers was again involved, this time his cross evading the defenders only for Iwan Roberts’ glancing header to be saved well by Grant low to his left.

Fleming received the game’s first booking two minutes later following a heavy challenge on Boertien on the touchline.

In the next attack City came the closest yet to breaking the deadlock when Nedergaard’s lovely pass sent Kenton sprinting into the box and he cut the ball back only for Roberts’ sliding effort to be deflected narrowly wide.

But just when it seemed the Canaries were getting into their stride the visitors’ picked up their game again and the remainder of the half developed into a cat-and-mouse affair, with neither keeper having much to do.

Half-time: Norwich City 0, Derby County 0

The second half was only a minute old when Derby’s Lee Morris was somewhat harshly adjudged to have dived after a sliding challenge from Kenton, receiving the game’s second yellow card from referee Mr R.Styles.

The first opening of the half arrived in the 55th minute, when Craig Burley’s corner from the right was met with a powerful header from Deon Burton which flew a foot over the bar.

With the game in danger of drifting towards a goalless draw, City boss Worthington made the first substitution of the afternoon, bringing on young Ian Henderson for Mark Rivers on the hour.

It was Derby however who carved out the next chance, Burley racing into the area only to fire a weak shot straight at the legs of Green.

Play switched to the other end and Henderson immediately showed just why he has forced his way into first team contention, sprinting at full pelt to block Grant’s attempted clearance and force a corner following a poor backpass by Barton.

In the 67th minute Darren Kenton surged into the box and had the time and space to send a low, driven ball flashing across the face of the goal, which unfortunately just eluded the on-rushing City forwards.

Five minutes later Steve Elliott was booked for ending a wonderful jinking run from Gary Holt with a crass challenge right on the edge of the box. The resulting free-kick from Mulryne was a disappointment, crashing straight into the defensive wall.

In the 76th minute Derby boss John Gregory brought on Adam Bolder for Deon Burton, while Worthington made a switch of his own and replaced Danish midfielder Steen Nedergaard with fellow countryman David Nielsen.

There then followed a moment of controversy as a moment of youthful exuberance from Henderson saw him a fraction late in shoulder-charging the keeper – a free kick certainly, but many in the crowd felt a booking was perhaps excessive punishment for the teenager.

With ten minutes left a good, positive run from Nielsen to the byline saw him cut the ball back to McVeigh, but the City top scorer’shot was deflected wide for a corner.

But the Canaries at last ended the stalemate from the resulting corner by Mulryne, as Malky Mackay marked his return to the first team with a superb looping header over Grant and just inside the post from ten yards.

In the 85th minute Riggott joined the growing list of names in the referee’s notebook, rightly booked for a clumsy swipe at McVeigh.

Worthington made his final change of the afternoon, Roberts going off to a great ovation from the fans to be replaced by Zema Abbey. Ian Evatt also came on for Paul Boertien as Gregory tried one last, desperate throw of the dice for Derby.

But that was exactly what it proved to be as City held on for a hard-won victory and three more precious points.

Final score: Norwich City 1, Derby County 0

NORWICH CITY: Green, Kenton, Mackay, Fleming, Drury, Nedergaard (Nielsen 76), Mulryne, Holt, Rivers (Henderson 60), Roberts (Abbey 87), McVeigh.

Unused Subs: Crichton, Russell

DERBY: Grant, Higginbotham, Elliot, Riggot, Barton, Lee, Burley, Boertien (Evatt 88), Morris, Burton (Bolder 75), McLeod.

Unused Subs: Oakes, Murray, Kinkladze

SCORERS:

Norwich: Mackay (82)

ATTENDANCE:

20,522

REFEREE:
Mr R.Styles

BOOKINGS:

Norwich: Fleming, Henderson

Derby: Morris, Elliot, Bolder, Riggot

Burnley 2 Norwich City 0

23 November, 2002

Missed chances proved costly for City as manager Nigel Worthington's 100th game in charge of the Canaries ended in a 2-0 defeat away to Burnley. Top scorer Paul McVeigh hit the post in the first half and the game saw six or seven good chances for the visitors go begging, with Burnley keeper Marlon Beresford in top form.

But Burnley condemned City to a long and pointless journey home from Lancashire thanks to second-half strikes from Mark McGregor and Glen Little.

City boss Worthington chose Club Captain Neil Emblen to start in midfield in place of suspended Northern Ireland international Phil Mulryne, with Mark Rivers on the right of a four-man midfield and Paul McVeigh on the left. Craig Fleming recovered from his bruised hip suffered in last week's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace to partner Darren Kenton at the centre of defence.

The visitors started well and enjoyed the lion's share of possession for the first eight or nine minutes as Burnley struggled to get going. But the home side began to come into it more and forced the first real save of the afternoon, Robert Green parrying Little's eighth minute effort after a corner from the right.

Burnley were aggrieved to be denied an opener in the 20th minute. Little appeared to be impeded as he surged into the box before squaring for Moore to slot home, only for the effort to be ruled out by an offside flag.

In the 33rd minute Rivers surged clear on the right and fired a low shot across the box which just went behind first David Nielsen and then Iwan Roberts with the goal gaping. Five minutes later Rivers again found himself with space on the right but this time fired a disappointing shot from 20 yards which sailed well wide.

In the 43rd minute Paul Cook was first booked for a foul on Rivers and then taken off with an arm injury to be replaced by Grant.

With the first half drawing to a close City's leading scorer McVeigh came the closest yet to breaking the deadlock, drifting clear on the left before driving goalwards only for Beresford to stretch to tip the ball on to the post. This was the beginning of the bad luck for City on the day.

Half-time: Burnley 0, Norwich City 0

There was a scare for the home side almost immediately after the second half kicked off, as Branch missed a simple clearance unexpectedly and the ball flashed passed a surprised Rivers in front of goal.

But Burnley rallied and began to put pressure on the visitors. First Briscoe had a good chance in the 55th minute, hitting the side netting from six yards out. Then four minutes later Mark McGregor finally opened the scoring, rising well to power home a header from Blake's cross.

Burnley immediately made their second substitution of the game, bringing on Papadopoulos for Branch.

Just past the hour mark the lively Blake was close to extending the home side's advantage, blasting in a right-foot shot which Green did well to save.

Norwich were attempting to pose some threats of their own and Nedergaard was unlucky not to equalise a minute later, heading wide after good work by Rivers.

With his side struggling to find a way through the hard-working Burnley defence, Worthington made a triple substitution in the 70th minute, Zema Abbey, Darel Russell and Ian Henderson coming on for Nielsen, Rivers and Emblen respectively.

The changes injected some new impetus into City's attacking efforts, with first Holt trying his luck with a speculative 25-yarder which flew over the bar in the 73rd minute.

Then with ten minutes left youngster Ian Henderson nearly grabbed his second of the season, latching on to McVeigh's cross from the left and firing goalwards only for Beresford to block his effort well.

A minute later it was Russell's turn to try his luck, letting fly with a 25-yarder which unfortunately for City was caught competently by Beresford.

In the 83rd minute it was Green's turn to be called into action, reacting well to parry a fierce shot from Burnley sub Papadopoulos.

But less than a minute later the game was put further out of City's reach when Blake crossed from the left and Little lashed the ball into the roof of the net from six yards to make it 2-0.

Norwich kept going but knew it wasn't going to be their afternoon when Roberts had space at the edge of the box but powered a left-foot shot wide of the far post with three minutes to go.

Final score: Burnley 2, Norwich City 0

NORWICH CITY: Green, Nedergaard, Kenton, Fleming, Drury, Rivers (Henderson 71), Emblen (Russell 71), Holt, Nielsen (Abbey 71), McVeigh, Roberts.

Unused Subs: Crichton, Mackay

BURNLEY: Beresford, West, McGregor, Gnohere, Branch (Papadopoulos 60), Briscoe, Weller, Cook (Grant 44), Little, Moore, Blake.

Unused Subs: Payton, Maylett, A.Moore

SCORERS:

Burnley: McGregor 59, Little 85

ATTENDANCE:

16,282

REFEREE:
Mr P. Prosser

BOOKINGS:

Norwich: Roberts, Mulryne

Crystal Palace: Branch, Cook

Norwich City 2 Crystal Palace 0

16 November, 2002

Rejuvenated City striker Iwan Roberts wrapped up the points with his third goal in two games as the Canaries clinched a highly professional 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Carrow Road Saturday.

After just nine minutes Paul McVeigh had edged City in front of a Palace side previously only beaten once in 16 games, keeping his cool to slot home his 11th of the season after Roberts set him up on the edge of the box.

The visitors started positively with Johnson buzzing around the City box and looking to find a way through, but the Canaries weathered this short spell of pressure without any serious scares and then scored with virtually their first attack in the 9th minute, you could call this a sucker punch.

David Nielsen battled well to steal possession from the Palace defence before rolling the ball to Iwan Roberts on the edge of the area. With a crowd of defenders around him Roberts showed great awareness to toe the ball into space, giving the on-rushing Paul McVeigh on the left plenty of time to pick his spot before blasting the ball low into the far corner of Michopoulos' net.

Three minutes later two Norwich defenders combined to carve out the next threat to the Eagles’ goal, Darren Kenton striding forward to slot a lovely pass through for Adam Drury to run on to before hitting a low ball into the box which was deflected to safety with Roberts closing in.

Palace attempted to hit back and Julian Gray wasn’t far off with a curling 20-yard effort which fell just wide of the far post in the 14th minute.

And a minute later City had a bit of a let-off when Black fed a nice pass into the box and danger man Johnson, who had lost his marker, touched it past Robert Green only to run out of pitch and slide the ball harmlessly wide.

Phil Mulryne, already suspended for City’s trip to Burnley next weekend, found himself in trouble again in the 19th minute, booked for a strong challenge on Johnson, his sixth booking of the season.

But it was Palace’s turn to attract the unwanted attention of the ref four minutes later when Mulryne found himself on the receiving end this time, pole-axed by Steven Thomson who duly joined him in the referee’s notebook.

On the half-hour David Nielsen had a golden chance to increase City’s lead when he found himself free on goal after great work from Roberts, but he slipped at a crucial moment allowing the Palace defence to get back. The ball eventually came to McVeigh, but his ambitious 22-yard shot flew high and wide.

Worthington then made the game’s first change, bringing on Malky Mackay in place of the unfortunate Fleming who had fallen awkwardly in an earlier challenge, which almost certainly stopped Palace from scoring.

At this stage the weather took a turn for the worse as thick mist began to roll into Carrow Road from the River Wensum, reducing visibility considerably.

But Mulryne’s eyesight seemed unaffected as he showed good awareness and skill in the 37th minute to nutmeg a Palace defender, before bending in a shot from the edge of the area, which deflected off a defender for a corner.

In first-half injury time a weak defensive clearance was headed back into the danger area by Mulryne and Nielsen controlled well before spinning and blasting a shot straight at Michopoulos from 18 yards.

Half-time: Norwich City 1, Crystal Palace 0

In the first minute of the second half panicky defending by Palace allowed Nielsen to intercept and close in on goal and as the Dane collided with Gray the ball popped out to Roberts, whose attempted first-time volley was sliced well wide. In hindsight, Iwan probably had time to bring the ball down before shooting.

There followed a brief spell of pressure from the visitors but their sustained possession failed to produce any moments of real danger. At the other end Mackay nearly marked his return to match action with a goal, heading straight at the keeper from Mulryne’s 53rd-minute free-kick.

In the 59th minute Kenton nearly brought the house down as he surged forward and unleashed a 25-yard piledriver which flashed inches wide of the angle of the keeper's left post.

Six minutes later McVeigh nearly grabbed his second of the game in spectacular fashion as Michopoulous dived at full stretch to parry his 22-yard volley. The Eagles keeper then had to be alert to dive bravely at Mark Rivers’ feet to stop the Norwich winger stabbing home the rebound from close range.

At the other end Dele Adebola turned crisply in the box but under-hit his volley so it looped harmlessly into the arms of a grateful Robert Green and almost the whole of Carrow Road were also very grateful.

With nine minutes of normal time remaining Francis brought on Aki Riihilati for Shaun Derry. Worthington responded by making a change of his own, replacing Rivers with on-loan midfielder Nicky Southall.

And Southall nearly made an immediate impact, breaking clear on the right before swinging in a good cross to the far side of the box, which Roberts nodded down only for Palace to scramble the ball clear before Nielsen could connect.

Not to be outdone, Palace sub Riihilati nearly went one better as he smashed in a 25-yarder which dipped just over Green’s crossbar.

But with three minutes to go there was more joy for the home fans as man-of-the-moment Iwan Roberts wrapped up a very professional City performance with his third goal in two games.

It was a goal made and completed in some style by the rejuvenated Welshman, as he caught the Palace defence napping by heading the ball over the last man before running on to it himself and ramming home his fifth of the season past the helpless Michopoulos, the 86^th goal of his City career!

Both sides mate late substitutions, with Zema Abbey replacing Nielsen for Norwich and Antwi coming on for Kit Symons.

Final score: Norwich City 2, Crystal Palace 0

NORWICH CITY: Green, Nedergaard, Kenton, Fleming (Mackay 31), Drury, Rivers (Southall 84), Mulryne, Holt, Nielsen (Abbey 89), McVeigh, Roberts.

Unused Subs: Crichton, Henderson

CRYSTAL PALACE: Michopoulos, Butterfield, Symons (Antwi 92), Powell, Granville, Black (Williams 67), Thomson, Derry (Riihilahti 82), Gray, Adebola, Johnson.

Unused Subs: Kolinko, Borrowdale

SCORERS:

Norwich: McVeigh 9, Roberts 86

ATTENDANCE:

20,907  

REFEREE:
Mr Eddie Wolstenholme

BOOKINGS:

Norwich: Roberts, Mulryne

Crystal Palace: Thomson

Iwan Moves Into Third Place In Scoring Charts As City Win 3-0

9 November, 2002

Striker Iwan Roberts fired the 84^th and 85^th goals of his Norwich City career against Sheffield Wednesday to overtake Robert Fleck and move into third place in the all-time top Canaries scorers list.

Roberts ended his goal ‘drought’ when he blasted home from the penalty spot in the 30^th minute after Owls striker Kuqi was sent off for intentionally handling in his own goalmouth.

McVeigh added a second with a stunning bicycle kick just before the break and Roberts finished off a spirited Wednesday side with a low shot into the corner nine minutes from time to double his tally so far for the season.

There was good news before kick-off for City supporters as Phil Mulryne and Darren Kenton both passed late fitness tests to make Nigel Worthington’s starting line-up.

Scottish defender Malky Mackay also recovered from a groin strain suffered during training earlier in the week, but started the game on the bench with Worthington opting to start with Craig Fleming partnering Kenton at the heart of the City defence. Neil Emblen was not fit enough to make the squad.

A typically noisy Sheffield Wednesday away section gave a warm welcome to Chris Turner for his first game since he was appointed to the Hillsborough hotseat on Thursday.

With Mark Rivers and Paul McVeigh on the right and left flanks respectively City were hoping to use the full width of the pitch to good effect. In the 5^th minute they nearly did just that, as good work from Rivers allowed Nedergaard to cross for Roberts to send in a header which was deflected wide by an Owls defender.

In the 12^th minute the Canaries did get the ball into the Wednesday net but David Nielsen’s close-range effort was ruled out for offside after good work from McVeigh and Roberts to create the chance.

Wednesday were mostly restricted to hopeful long balls upfield in the early exchanges, but came the closest yet to opening the scoring in the 18th minute, Robert Green reacting superbly to save Kuqi’s header near the foot of his right-hand post.

The Owls were gradually coming into the game and when Nielsen gave away possession in the centre circle in the 23^rd minute, Sibon raced through to fire in a 22-yard deflected shot, which Green did well to hold.

A period of sloppy passing from City kept the pressure on the home defence and Geary was the next Wednesday player to try his luck with an angled drive which deflected just wide in the 27^th minute.

But a moment of controversy on the half-hour mark turned the game City’s way in dramatic fashion. Phil Mulryne swung a superb corner in under the Wednesday bar and Finnish international striker Shefki Kuqi clearly swatted at the ball with an upraised arm.

Referee S.Tomlin had no hesitation in not only pointing to the spot but also in dismissing the unfortunate Kuqi for intentional handball.

With memories of his agonising last-gasp penalty miss at Bradford no doubt still fresh in his mind, skipper Iwan Roberts kept his nerve to step up and ram home the spot kick after a lengthy delay as Kuqi trudged off the pitch.

Confidence surged through the City ranks and after a period of sustained pressure Paul McVeigh grabbed his tenth goal of the season in spectacular fashion two minutes before the break.

A corner from Rivers was headed back into the box by Gary Holt and as Nielsen’s shot bobbled up off a defender, McVeigh swivelled in the six-yard box to net with a bicycle kick in off the post.

Half-time: Norwich City 2, Sheffield Wednesday 0

Ten-man Wednesday came out fighting in the second half and two minutes after the break Mulryne was somewhat harshly booked for a challenge at full-stretch on Sibon.

On 51 minutes Sibon was in the thick of things again, this time racing on to a nice pass from Owasu only to blast a low shot straight at Green from the edge of the area.

At the other end Roberts came close to notching his second of the game in the 60^th minute as he just failed to connect cleanly with an excellent cross from the right by Steen Nedergaard, which had Pressman flailing in the Owls’ goal.

Sibon again threatened for the visitors, combining well with Owasu before lashing a 20-yard half-volley just wide of the post. City hit straight back and when Roberts nodded a clever cross from McVeigh back across the face of the goal, Rivers was only denied by a desperate sliding intervention from Bromby.

Worthington made a change in the 78^th minute, bringing on Nicky Southall on the right side of midfield for Rivers.

With nine minutes left and the game seemingly drifting towards a comfortable win for the Canaries, Roberts increased City’s lead as he latched on to a slide-rule pass from McVeigh before crashing home a right-foot shot low into the net from 18 yards for his second of the game.

With just six minutes to go of normal time Worthington brought on Zema Abbey for Nielsen. Abbey was immediately in the action, rising well to head Nedergaard’s cross only to be denied by a ricochet off a defender.

The ball came out to McVeigh on the left and his curling cross gave Roberts a golden chance to complete his hat-trick, but the big man was left holding his head in hands in disbelief after heading wide when it seemed easier to hit the target.

Worthington then made his third and final substitution of the day, with youngster Ian Henderson coming on in place of Mulryne.

Ten-man Wednesday’s brave resistance had taken its toll and substitute Knight’s hopeful 25-yarder in injury time was all they could muster in reply as the legs began to tire.

It is fair to say that City virtually controlled the match in the second half.

Final score: Norwich City 3, Sheffield Wednesday 0

NORWICH CITY: Green, Nedergaard, Kenton, Fleming, Drury, Rivers (Southall 78), Mulryne (Henderson 87), Holt, McVeigh, Nielsen (Abbey 83), Roberts.

Unused Subs: Crichton, Mackay,

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Pressman, Hendon, Bromby, Haslam, Geary, Owusu, McLaren, Soltvedt, Armstrong, Sibon (Knight 84), Kuqi.

Unused Subs: Stringer, Quinn, Donnelly, Halmshaw

SCORERS:
Norwich: Roberts (pen 31,82), McVeigh (44)

ATTENDANCE:
20,667

REFEREE:
Steve Tomli 

BOOKINGS:
Norwich: Mulryne

RED CARDS:
Wednesday: Kuqi

Wimbledon 4 Norwich City 2

Saturday 2^nd November, 2002

A spirited second-half fight back proved too little, too late for City after a poor first 45 minutes saw them 3-0 down at the break.

A hat-trick for David Connolly and another goal from Neil Shipperley did the damage to make it four games without a win for the Canaries.

A first goal for the Club from 17-year-old substitute Ian Henderson and a close-range strike from David Nielsen against his former club gave brief hope to the large City following at Selhurst Park.

But just a minute after Nielsen's strike pulled the score back to 3-2, Wimbledon were awarded a penalty which Connolly calmly dispatched to end the game.

With Phil Mulryne, Darren Kenton and Neil Emblen all sidelined through injury, City boss Nigel Worthington gave starts to Clint Easton, Paul Heckingbottom and Craig Fleming.

Norwich started in a 4-4-2 formation with Iwan Roberts and Paul McVeigh playing up front. A very attacking bench included David Nielsen, Zema Abbey, Chris Llewellyn and youngster Ian Henderson.

The Canaries started brightly buoyed by the unusual situation of having more fans urging them on than the home side. The first significant chance fell to City's Danish defender Steen Nedergaard, who fired a 20-yard volley just wide in the 9th minute.

Wimbledon's front pairing of Shipperley and Connolly looked dangerous on the counter and when Shipperley got up well to nod down Darlington's 20th-minute cross, Robert Green had to be alert to deny Andersen.

But three minutes later a moment of individual skill from Shipperley saw the home side take the lead as a long ball from Hawkins found the Dons striker in the box and he chested, turned and volleyed in one movement to give Green no chance.

In the 28th minute Mackay had a close-range header well blocked by Davis in the Wimbledon goal as City attempted to get back on level terms. A minute later a bit of quick-thinking from the livewire McVeigh nearly brought an equaliser as the Norwich striker saw Davis off his line and floated in a 30-yard shot which fell just wide of the post.

Nedergaard was the next to go close for the visitors as he headed wide with only the keeper to beat after a good free-kick from Easton in the 35th minute.

But five minutes before the break the Canaries suffered a crushing blow as Shipperley set up Connolly and he turned well before drilling the ball home left-footed  to make it 2-0 to the home side.

And a disastrous first half showing from the Canaries was duly completed in injury time as Connolly blasted home a 25-yard free-kick past a shell-shocked Green to make it 3-0.

Half-time: Wimbledon 3, Norwich City 0

With Worthington's half-time team-talk no doubt still ringing in their ears, City lined up for the second half with a new formation of 3-4-3. Danish striker Nielsen replaced Easton and Nedergaard pushed up to the right side of midfield.

In the 51st minute Heckingbottom found McVeigh in space but the Northern Ireland international seemed caught in two minds and eventually shot straight at Davis.

Two minutes later a poor day at the office for the City defence continued as McAnuff was given far too much time and space and eventually unleashed a shot which flashed inches wide of the post with Green beaten.

Worthington made another substitution in the 56th minute, Zema Abbey coming on for Roberts.

But it was still Wimbledon who looked more dangerous and Connolly was desperately unlucky not to complete his hat-trick in the 58th minute as he powered through the Norwich defence before cracking a great shot against the bar.

On the hour Worthington made his third and final change of the afternoon, taking off McVeigh and bringing on youngster Henderson.

And ten minutes later with the game in danger of petering out in miserable fashion for City, Henderson repayed his manager's faith by latching on to a long ball from Holt before stabbing the ball past Davis for his first goal for the Club.

Nedergaard was agonisingly close to almost immediately reducing the arrears still further when his header was scrambled off the line a minute later.

Then in the 80th minute City's spirited second-half fightback stepped up another notch as Nielsen netted from close range after Nedergaard picked him out in the box.

But just when it seemed that the Canaries might snatch an unlikely point from the game, in the 82nd minute the assistant referee decided that Malky Mackay had conceded a penalty and Connolly stepped up to complete his hat-trick from the spot. Mackay was booked for complaining about the decision.

With time ticking away an 85th-minute long shot from Southall flew over the crossbar as City desperately tried to keep the pressure on the home side.

With four minutes left Dons sub Morgan curled in a sweet shot towards the far corner of the net which Green dived to palm away at full stretch.

The Canaries continued to battle gamely but Wimbledon held on for a deserved victory.

Final score: Wimbledon 4, Norwich City 2

NORWICH CITY:
Green, Drury, Mackay, Fleming, Nedergaard, Holt, Southall, Heckingbottom, Easton (Nielsen 45), Roberts (Abbey 55), McVeigh (Henderson 62).
Unused Subs: Llewellyn, Crichton.

WIMBLEDON:
Davis, Hawkins, Holloway, Leigertwood, Gier, McAnuff (Francis 84), Andersen, Darlington, Reo-Coker (Morgan 88), Shipperley, Connolly.
Unused Subs: Agyemang, Heald, Gray.

SCORERS:
Wimbledon: Shipperley (24), Connolly (42, 45, 82)
Norwich: Henderson 71, Nielsen 79

ATTENDANCE:
3,908

REFEREE:
F Stretton

BOOKINGS:
Wimbledon: Gier (90)
Norwich: Mackay (82)

Norwich City 0 Nottingham Forest 0

Tuesday 29^th October, 2002

An entertaining game featuring plenty of slick passing and good football from both teams failed to produce a goal as early promotion contenders Norwich and Forest clashed at Carrow Road.

A first-half cross from Phil Mulryne which Forest keeper Darren Ward tipped on to the crossbar was the closest City came to breaking the deadlock, while the visitors also created several chances to underline their own good early season form.

City boss Nigel Worthington made one change to the team which started in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Bradford, Neil Emblen coming into the midfield in place of Nicky Southall. Adam Drury passed a late fitness test on his sore back to make the starting eleven.

The Canaries started brightly and carved out the game’s first opportunity when top scorer Paul McVeigh surged towards the Forest box before firing just wide from 22 yards after just three minutes.

Both sides were playing neat passing football without posing any real threat in either penalty area. The next 14 minutes was all style and no substance until the 17^th minute when former Ipswich man David Johnson braved a chorus of boos to outpace three City defenders before shooting straight at Robert Green.

Four minutes later the visitors went close to taking the lead when a slip by Malky Mackay allowed Forest to break, and Lester danced through the City defence before his six-yard shot was superbly deflected wide by the sliding Drury.

In the 28^th minute Steen Nedergaard swung in a characteristic swerving cross to the edge of the Forest box and after efforts by Iwan Roberts and Gary Holt were blocked by visiting defenders, the ball once more broke to Holt who cut inside his man before blasting over from 25 yards.

Four minutes later Norwich were forced to make a change as Darren Kenton, carrying a slight knock, made way for Craig Fleming.

Fleming had barely been on the pitch for 30 seconds when he nearly witnessed a Norwich goal, McVeigh powerful shot from ten yards only denied by a brave lunging block from a Forest defender.

Play switched swiftly to the other end and Riccardo Scimeca warmed Green’s hands with a stinging half-volley from the edge of the box which the Norwich keeper tipped on to the roof of the net.

In the 38^th minute a spell of Norwich pressure ended with Phil Mulryne’s cross from the left being clawed on to the crossbar by Forest keeper Darren Ward.

Two minutes before the break there was a scare for the home fans as Scimeca steeped up to take a free-kick on the edge of the box after Malky Mackay was somewhat harshly adjudged to have fouled Lester. After a lengthy delay while the wall sorted itself out, Scimeca eventually bent a dangerous effort a foot wide of the far post.

Half-time score: Norwich City 0, Nottingham Forest 0

Forest continued to look dangerous after the break and with the second half only three minutes old Harewood showed some nifty footwork on the edge of the City box before unleashing a shot which was deflected just wide by the Norwich defence.

City continued to battle hard and Holt showed typical determination as he sprinted 40 yards with the ball before hitting a low and awkward shot which Ward did well to collect cleanly in the 53^rd minute.

Three minutes later it was McVeigh’s turn to go close, firing a yard wide from the edge of the box as Norwich began to pose some questions of their own against a very solid-looking visiting side.

On the hour a lovely passing move involving Nedergaard, McVeigh and Mulryne swept the ball from right to left, teeing up the on-rushing Drury who drilled a daisycutter of a shot inches wide of the far post from 18 yards.

Worthington made a tactical change in the next minute, bringing on Mark Rivers to replace Mulryne in the midfield. And after an even spell mostly dominated by City but with few real chances, Nicky Southall came on in the 70^th minute to replace Emblen, who had enjoyed a solid game.

Four minutes later the fans in the Barclay End and the Snakepit found it all highly amusing as Johnson looked to have a golden chance to score, but he was pushed wider and wider in the City box until eventually falling over as he hit a weak shot wide from an impossible angle.

In the 78^th minute a neat move created another chance for the Canaries, as Nedergaard chipped a short ball to Nielsen in the box with his back to goal and the Dane volleyed to Southall who sent a first-time shot looping over the bar.

But despite plenty of effort and good intentions from both teams there was no real significant goalmouth action until the dying seconds when Nielsen attempted to meet Drury’s cross with a volleyed flick but it was easily collected by Ward.

Final score: Norwich City 0, Nottingham Forest 0

NORWICH CITY:

Green, Nedergaard, Kenton (Fleming 31), Mackay, Drury, Emblen (Southall 71), Mulryne (Rivers 62), Holt, McVeigh, Nielsen, Roberts.

Unused Subs: Crichton, Abbey

 NOTTINGHAM FOREST:

Ward, Louis-Jean, Walker, Dawson, Brennan, Scimeca, Prutton, Williams, Lester, Harewood, Johnson.

Unused Subs: Roche, Hess, Hjelde, Doig, Reid 

SCORERS: None

ATTENDANCE: 20, 986

REFEREE: J Ross

Bradford City 2  Norwich City 1

Sunday 26th October, 2002

CITY suffered their second defeat of the season as Iwan Roberts agonisingly missed a chance to grab a point with an injury-time penalty. Bradford keeper Steve Banks blocked Roberts' spot-kick and then reacted brilliantly to deflect his follow-up shot.

Earlier Norwich were made to pay for missed chances as Paul Reid scored a well-taken brace in each half to put his side 2-0 up. Substitute Zema Abbey threw the Canaries a lifeline when he headed home Southall's corner in the 69th minute, but Bradford hung on to inflict the first away defeat of the season on Nigel Worthington's side.

On the quarter-hour mark there was a blow for Norwich as Drury limped off and had to be replaced by Paul Heckingbottom. A minute later former Canary Ashley Ward tried his luck with a 20-yard effort but Green saved comfortably. In the 23rd minute a mistake by Molenaar let in Nielsen but the Bradford defender did well to get back and block the Dane's shot to atone for his error. A minute later Nicky Southall was booked after a challenge on Warnock.

Chances were at a premium as both teams battled hard and 14 minutes passed before the next opportunity, Ward heading over for Bradford from Gray's cross. On-loan midfielder Southall was a whisker away from giving Norwich the lead in the 38th minute when his 20-yard volley struck the post.

Green tipped over another header from Ward in the 40th minute but from the resulting corner the ball came out to Paul Reid and he unleashed a stunning left-foot drive from 25 yards which flashed into the top corner to put the home side 1-0 up.

Half-time: Bradford City 1, Norwich City 0

Five minutes after the break a mistake by Malky Mackay let Cadamateri in but his shot was deflected over the bar by the outstretched leg of Green. And Green was again at his sharpest to deny Cadamarteri less than a minute later as the Canaries' defence had a rocky start to the second half.

But there was no stopping the Bantams and they duly extended their lead in the 55th minute, when Ward held the ball up well in the box before laying it off to Reid who fired home his second goal of the game to leave Norwich with a mountain to climb.

Ward was booked for a heavy challenge on Southall on 57 minutes, but as the under-pressure visitors attempted to mount an attack of their own in the 62nd minute, Phil Mulryne was also cautioned for a late tackle.

Worthington changed things round in an effort to find a way back into the match, bringing on Neil Emblen for Mulryne and Zema Abbey for McVeigh.

In the 64th minute Roberts had a golden chance to grab a lifeline for Norwich when he met a good cross from Heckingbottom, but he could only shoot straight at Banks.

But the game took another twist as Abbey marked his latest return to the first team from injury with a headed goal from Southall's corner in the 69th minute to set up a grandstand finish.

A minute later Green kept his side in the game with a fingertip save on to the bar to stop Ward from restoring a two-goal cushion for the Bantams. As Norwich pushed forward in search of an equaliser Abbey went close as he connected with a cross from Nedergaard to power in a header which Banks saved well in the 78th minute.

With ten minutes left Heckingbottom drilled in a fierce drive which Banks parried and as Roberts followed up two Bradford players slid in to put the ball out for a corner. In the 82nd minute Norwich players could only shake their heads in disbelief as Banks parried a header from Abbey on to the underside of his own bar. The ball bounced down on to the line and then was scrambled clear.

Then came the injury-time drama as Cadamateri fouled Nedergaard on the edge of the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Iwan Roberts stepped up to take the penalty but Banks pulled off a superb double save to keep out both the spot-kick and the follow-up from Roberts.

Final score: Bradford City 2, Norwich City 1

NORWICH CITY: Green, Drury (Heckingbottom 16), Mackay, Kenton, Nedergaard, Southall, Holt, Mulryne (Emblen 63), McVeigh (Abbey 63), Nielsen, Roberts.

Unused Subs: Crichton, Fleming

BRADFORD CITY: 

Banks, Molenaar, Bower, Myers, Uhlenbeek, Gray, Warnock, Reid, Jacobs, Cadamarteri, Ward.

Subs: Davison, Juanjo, Proctor, Standing, Evans.

SCORERS:
Bradford: Reid 2 (41, 55)
Norwich: Abbey (71)

ATTENDANCE: 12,288

REFEREE:
P Danson

Coventry City 1 Norwich City 1

Wednesday 23^rd October, 2002

Norwich City top scorer Paul McVeigh came off the bench to grab a dramatic equaliser – just as his side looked to be slipping to yet another defeat at Highfield Road.

Less than a minute of normal time remained when McVeigh beat Coventry keeper Fabien Debec from all of 25 yards to take the in form canaries to within three points of Division One leaders Portsmouth.

The goal was a fitting reward for a "never say die" performance from the Canaries, who battled away tirelessly after falling behind in the 21st minute to a stunning strike from Coventry's on-loan Liverpool youngster Richie Partridge.

They rode their luck at times with the Sky Blues missing three clear cut chances to put the result beyond doubt in the second half, and Robert Green making on outstanding save just five minutes before the late leveller.

But as far as possession and passing the ball were concerned they were more than a match for the hosts and certainly deserved something out of the game, even though French keeper Debec barely had a save to make all evening.

An entertaining fixture was also notable for a couple of interesting side issues.

For a start Paul McVeigh's late goal provided the Canaries with a rare moment of joy on a ground where they have won just two times in their history, with their fortunes being summed up in last season's corresponding fixture when Lee Hughes netted an injury time winner for the hosts.

This time the boot was well and truly on the other foot – and how the travelling army numbering some 2000 loved it as the little Irishman's shot hit the back of the net. The match also provided 17 year old striker Ian Henderson with a first taste of senior action, and when the youngster stepped on the pitch he became the first home-grown City player to make his debut for the club since Green came in for the East Anglian derby clash with Ipswich in April, 1999.

City, still on a high after their excellent 3-1 victory over Millwall on Saturday, started brightly last night, passing the ball around nicely and generally looking in control, but for all their possession, they failed to record an effort on goal until the 18th minute. It came from skipper Iwan Roberts, who sent in a powerful header from Nicky Southall's corner, which looked a goal all the way until Moroccan midfielder Yousseff Safri popped up on the line to clear.

Down at the other end, a City defence that had conceded just eight goals in 13 games before last night, looked well in control with the Sky Blues limited to a couple of half chances in the opening stages from Partridge and Gary McSheffrey, which both flew harmlessly wide.

But the whole complexion of the game changed on 21 minutes, when Partridge, the man who can't get a game at Anfield, scored a quite spectacular opener.

There seemed to be no danger when the 23-year-old Dubliner picked up an excellent first time ball from Safri well inside his own half after a Norwich attack had broken down. But his first touch was excellent and his second was even better as he nutmegged Southall before cutting inside and letting fly from all of 30 yards with a shot that seemed to swerve in the brisk breeze before flying into the top corner of the net.

It was a goal that suggested the young left winger could yet be an asset for Gerrard Houllier and prompted a brief period of Coventry pressure, but to their credit, Norwich stood firm and gradually began to work their way back into the match, even though clear cut chances remained at a premium.

Indeed, most of the goal mouth action continued to be at the Norwich end, and had substitute John Eustace had his shooting boots on, the game would have been over as a contest long before McVeigh's dramatic late intervention. Twice the young midfielder, who replaced player/manager Gary McAllister at the break found himself on the end of an excellent passing movement with just keeper Green to beat – but first he shot weakly wide, and then he tried to be too precise with his finish and succeeded only in side footing the ball directly at the grateful City custodian.

Youssef Chippo also wasted a glorious chance to put Coventry two up Norwich 75 minutes when Green's miscued clearance fell straight at his feet on the edge of the area.

But with the Norwich goal gaping, his first time effort flew into the side netting.

There was another scare for the Canaries six minutes from time, when Jay Bothroyd put fellow substitute David Pipe clean through but Green denied the 17 year old with an excellent reflex save – and how important that save was to prove a few minutes later.

McVeigh, who had started on the bench after being withdrawn from the fray last Saturday with a minor ankle injury picked up a loose ball midway inside the Coventry half, and took a couple of steps forward before beating Debec with a delightful rising drive.

It wasn't quite as spectacular as the one which had given the Sky Blues the lead, but no one in the City camp was complaining as the little man's ninth goal of the season flew into the back of the net.

Full-time: Coventry 1, Norwich City 1

NORWICH CITY:
Green, Nedergaard (Emblen 81), Kenton, Mackay, Drury, Southall (Henderson 72), Mulryne, Holt, Heckingbottom (McVeigh 55), Nielsen, Roberts.
Unused Subs: Crichton, Fleming 

COVENTRY:
Debec, Caldwell, Konjic, Davenport, Quinn, Chippo, Safri, McAllister (Eustace 45), Partridge, Mills (Bothroyd 69), McSheffrey (Pipe 77).

Unused Subs: Hyldgaard, Shaw

SCORERS:
Coventry: Partridge (21), Norwich: Mcveigh (89)

ATTENDANCE:
16,409

REFEREE:
M Pike

Norwich City 3 Millwall 1

Saturday 19^th October, 2002

TWO goals, one either side of the interval from man of the match David Nielsen blasted Norwich into the second automatic promotion berth with a compelling 3-1 win over Millwall at Carrow Road this afternoon.

It all looked so different after a lacklustre opening summed up by the sight of top scorer Paul McVeigh being stretchered off with an ankle injury.

But Nielsen's arrival swiftly lit the blue touchpaper as he arrowed in a 42nd minute opener and grabbed a second via a bullet header shortly after Steve Claridge had pulled the scores level for the visitors five minutes after the interval.

Darren Kenton's first goal of the season on 72 minutes put the result beyond doubt and with Leicester City slipping up at home to in-form Burnley and Portsmouth being held at home by Coventry, this afternoon's victory enabled Norwich to put themselves firmly among the genuine promotion contenders.

The fact that managerless Ipswich had lost at Reading merely added the icing on the cake leaving just McVeigh's injury as the only cause for concern as City's start to the season continues to get better and better.

As the Canaries resumed their first division promotion campaign following a two-week break due to international commitments, so City boss Worthington opted to make further changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Leicester in City's last outing.

Out went the diamond formation with club skipper Neil Emblen at its base as the Canary chief opted to return to a flat, midfield four in which on-loan Nicky Southall made his first start for the club away on the right with Clint Easton returning to the starting line up on the left.

Up front, fresh from his international commitments with Northern Ireland, eight-goal Paul McVeigh was reunited with Iwan Roberts - the Canary skipper still hunting for that 84th Norwich goal which would bring him level with a third-placed Robert Fleck in the club's all-time goal scoring list.

On the bench the luckless Craig Fleming was forced to wait for his chance to return to front line duty as Malky Mackay and Darren Kenton defy all-comers at the heart of the City defence while there was also a welcome return for Mark Rivers following his month long absence with hamstring trouble.

For the visitors, struggling to find the form that took them to a play-off semi-final against Birmingham last season, boss Mark McGhee handed West Ham's England Under-19 skipper Glen Johnson his first ever senior start after arriving on loan from south east London on Thursday.

Out of the manager's thoughts went Southampton striker Kevin Davies; into his plans came David Livermore after serving his suspension following a red card against Nottingham Forest.

Two other names of interest filled the Millwall midfield with Leicester City's number one hate figure Dennis Wise partnering former on loan Canary Andy Roberts.

With the visitors kicking off attacking the Norwich and Peterborough stand, it was Livermore who made the earliest impression by picking up his eighth booking of the season within a minute of the game's start.

The possessor of the Nationwide League's worst disciplinary record, the combative Lions star merely added to his growing reputation when he flattened Gary Holt right beneath the referee's nose and Mr Kaye of Wakefield had no hesitation in adding to Livermore's card collection.
Otherwise it was a relatively quiet opening spell with barely a chance to be had for either side.

With the contest proving something of a messy affair the only real chance of the opening quarter of an hour fell to Millwall when Stuart Nethercott lifted a header well over the Canary bar following a free-kick from Dennis Wise.

With both sides struggling to keep possession, it was another eight minutes before a further chance presented itself and again it fell to the visitors. Ifill broke strongly down the right and his ball inside found the veteran Steve Claridge whose low shot was comfortably saved low to his right by Green.

City had a further scare on 23 minutes when another strong challenge from the firey Livermore found McVeigh clutching his ankle and it was much to Carrow Road's relief when he gingerly picked himself up.
It did at least raise the temperature of an otherwise tepid encounter as both Holt and Mulryne burst into the Lions' box with the latter feeling particularly aggrieved as his opportunity was cut short by a further tackle from behind from Livermore.

City's hopes that McVeigh had survived Livermore's challenge proved short-lived, however, as he signalled to the bench that he was in no state to continue and on 27 minutes Norwich's top scorer was stretchered out of the contest looking anxiously at his right ankle.
McVeigh's exit merely ensured the first change of the afternoon with Nielsen coming on in his place.

By now Norwich were starting to up the tempo and on 29 minutes Mulryne found himself in space thanks to Easton's persistence only for the Canary playmaker to fire wide from 20 yards out.

Nielsen's arrival appeared to spark Norwich into a rather greater life as the quick-footed Dane swiftly won two free-kicks deep in the Millwall half.

The first found Easton driving well over as Roberts waited in vain on the far post while from the second Millwall just managed to scramble the ball clear.

As the first half entered its final ten minutes, it was certainly Norwich who were enjoying the better share of the possession even if a clear cut opening continued to elude them.

Not that Millwall were without a threat as Neil Harris forced Mackay to concede a 38th minute corner which a waiting Green comfortably collected beneath his own bar.

City's first real opportunity arrived on 39 minutes when Easton pushed the ball in between Nielsen and Ward. Having used all his strength to shoulder Ward out of the way, Nielsen found himself with a clear run in on goal and it needed an excellent spreading save from Lions keeper Tony Warner to deny Nielsen his fourth goal of the season.

He did not, however, have long to wait to put that right when he produced a stunning opening goal.

Mulryne's cross along the edge of the Millwall box still left the Dane with a lot to do but a wonderful first touch gave him the yard he needed on the struggling Nethercott and from 22-yards out he produced a wonderful low drive that flew inside the right-hand upright.

It was all the Dane deserved after making such a difference to City's first half display and did much to ease the pain of McVeigh's stretcher-borne exit.

Half-time: Norwich City 1, Millwall 0.

With the Canaries kicking off the second period defending not only their 1-0 lead but the joint best defensive record in the Nationwide League, hopes were high that City could grab another three valuable points this afternoon.

Within two minutes and City almost had a chance to double that advantage when Mulryne floated a deep free-kick towards the far post where Roberts lurked alongside Ward and came agonisingly close to finding the one touch he needed for pushing the ball beyond Warner.
Norwich were given cause to regret that missed opportunity a minute later when Claridge levelled for the visitors.

Johnson pushed the ball through Millwall's inside-left channel but as the City players stood in a line waiting for the offside flag to flutter so the 36-year-old Lions striker motored in on goal happily convinced that he was on side thanks to a distant Nedergaard playing him on.

Both linesman and the referee agreed and as Kenton and Nedergaard raced back to cover so Claridge calmly poked the ball beyond an advancing Green.

It was a wretched way for the Canaries to start the second period though their luck almost changed two minutes later when Livermore clattered into Southall.

With the crowd appealing loudly for a second yellow card to end his game early referee Kaye opted instead to hand Livermore a final warning.

It appeared to fire Norwich into life as Southall almost hit City's second on 51 minutes only for his first-time shot to bobble a foot wide of Tony Warner's right-hand post.

The game was levelled little more than eight minutes before Norwich powered their way back into the lead and once again it was Nielsen turning on the heroics.

Fellow Dane Nedergaard provided a large helping hand with a magnificent dipping cross which found Nielsen three yards ahead of his marker and from eight yards out.

All it needed then was a fierce, rising header which flew beyond the stranded Warner and sent Carrow Road wild with delight.

Little more than two minutes later and Nielsen almost capped a compelling individual performance with his third as he met yet another inviting Nedergaard cross with a smart, near post flick which cannoned against Warner before hurriedly being cleared for a corner.

Nielsen was determined to keep his name firmly in the limelight as he became the second player in referee Kaye's book on 65 minutes after opting to chip Warner for his "hat-trick" despite the fact that the assistant referee had long waved play back for offside.

The 65th minute also saw Millwall chief McGhee make a double switch with Kevin Braniff replacing Roberts and one-time £7 million man Davies replacing the ineffective Harris.

Norwich's next opportunity to extend their advantage arrived in the 68th minute with a 25-yard free-kick following a foul by Ward on Mulryne.

The City playmaker swiftly picked himself up and swept a swirling shot little more than a foot beyond Warner's right upright with the keeper well beaten.

Norwich's grip on the game tightened still further in the 72nd minute when Kenton grabbed City's third goal.

Once again it was Mulryne's delivery providing the helping hand as his free-kick floated into the box where Kenton rose highest with Warner racing out of his goal only to find himself horribly late, so the Canary defender's looping header arced sweetly into an empty net.

By now Livermore was firmly testing the referee's patience as he flew in on the ankles of Southall and he can consider himself a distinctly lucky boy when the official opted to play the advantage and by the time play stopped it was some two minutes later so the official opted for no more than yet another final warning.

With Millwall losing both heart and interest in this afternoon's proceedings, the chances continued to fall Norwich's way.

Nielsen was handed an ideal opportunity to complete his hat-trick in the 76th minute following a rare error from youngster Johnson. But after mis-hitting his back pass to Warner, Nielsen could only see his low shot saved low to his left by Warner.

On 81 minutes Mulryne found himself free from 22-yards out only for his rising drive to fly a couple of yards over Warner's bar.

With the fourth official announcing that there would be three minutes of added on time, in theory Millwall still had time to grab a late consolation however both the belief and the ability had long since drained away from the visitors as Norwich's continued progress up the First Division continued.

Deep into extra time and Roberts almost added a fourth only for the referee to spot a handball following a cross from man of the match Nielsen.

Full-time: Norwich City 3, Millwall 1

NORWICH CITY:
Green, Nedergaard, Kenton, Mackay, Drury, Easton, Mulryne, Holt, Southall, Roberts, McVeigh (Nielsen 28).
Unused Subs: Crichton, Emblen, Fleming, Rivers.

MILLWALL:
Warner, Johnson, Nethercott, Ward, Ryan, Ifill, Wise, Roberts, Livermore, Claridge, Harris.
Subs: Gueret, Davies, Braniff, Phillips, Bull.

SCORERS:
Norwich: Nielsen (2), Kenton
Opponents: Claridge

ATTENDANCE:
20,448

REFEREE:
A Kaye

Norwich City 0 Leicester City 0

Saturday 5^th October, 2002

Two genuine first division promotion contenders slugged it out all night long at Carrow Road only for the Canaries’ televised clash with second-placed Leicester City to end goalless.

It was an evening in which two obdurate defences stood firm in the face of anything and everything the respective attacking line-ups could throw at them, with Darren Kenton yet again superb at the heart of the Norwich defence.

Indeed, such was the dominance of Malky Mackay and Kenton at one end and Matt Elliott and Gerry Taggart at the other that neither keeper really made a save of note, despite the very best endeavours of both sides.

A dipping Gary Holt volley which skimmed the roof of the net moments before the end was the nearest the home side came to breaking the fascinating deadlock, while at the other end Taggart produced the threat at a succession of corners – all of which flew either over, wide or straight at a waiting Robert Green.

Though the Canaries may be disappointed by the fact that they missed out on a chance to leapfrog the Foxes into second spot, they can still take great heart and great credit for having the meanest defence in the division which even the ex-Premiership stars of Leicester failed to break and against lesser opposition, Norwich would surely, on this performance, have walked away with the points.

As the Canaries prepared for their second live outing of the season at home to second-placed Leicester this evening, so City boss Nigel Worthington sprang something of a tactical surprise for the visit of Micky Adams’ men. With Clint Easton and new-dad Paul Heckingbottom absent altogether, Worthington opted to field all three of his strikers in the shape of the eight-goal Paul McVeigh, David Nielsen and a fit again Iwan Roberts. How he did it was the interesting point – Neil Emblen sitting in a central role just in front of the back four with Gary Holt and Phil Mulryne just in front of them. McVeigh was the one with the free role just behind Roberts and Nielsen. On the bench sat Zema Abbey as the returning Canary striker bided his time for a first start following his lengthy absence with a serious knee injury, while Craig Fleming found his return to Worthington’s starting 11 held up by the form of Mackay and Kenton at the heart of the City defence.

For the in-form Foxes, boss Adams made a number of changes to the side that won 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek – principal amongst them, the return of a fit-again Brian Deane and the sight of Paul Dickov and Frank Sinclair returning after their one-match ban.
On the right hand side of midfield was a more familiar face in the shape of former Ipswich Town favourite Jamie Scowcroft who was, as suspected, roundly booed every time he touched the ball.

With the game opening in a bright and breezy fashion, it was Leicester who produced the first effort on target within the opening couple of minutes as Deane directed a tame header straight at Green.

On three minutes club skipper Emblen became the first into the referee’s book after a late challenge on Callum Davidson with the subsequent free-kick coming to nothing.

At the other end Norwich were soon carving out opportunities for themselves with Steen Nedergaard finding sufficient space to launch a deep right wing cross towards the far post, only for former Spurs keeper Ian Walker – son of ex-Canary boss Mike – to grab the ball with ease.
On six minutes another Canary attack found Emblen picking the ball up in space 12-yards outside the Foxes’ box, only for his low shot to scurry well wide of its intended target.

Nevertheless it was still a positive opening from the Canaries with the game swiftly living up to its pre-match billing as the game of the day in the first division.

On 10 minutes Emblen had company in the referee’s book when Gerry Taggart clattered straight through Nielsen after the Dane had left him for dead with a wonderful turn on the right-hand touchline.

On 17 minutes Leicester took the lead in the bookings stakes when Dickov joined Taggart on a yellow card after he left his foot up late and caught the covering Kenton.

Three minutes earlier and Leicester had created their best chance of the opening spell when Alan Rogers drove a low cross through the City six-yard box just beyond a stretching Dickov.

At the other end Norwich continued to press with menace with Leicester forced to concede two swift corners as McVeigh and Nielsen probed for an opening. From the second Kenton rose well at the far post and forced an excellent point-blank save from Walker, only for play to stop after Mackay was adjudged to have fouled Deane.

With the game starting to simmer nicely, Roberts became the fourth booking of the evening when he slid late into the back of McKinlay in front of referee Dean, who though he played on after the incident, duly returned yellow card in hand to haul the City skipper up moments later.

Norwich almost carved out an opening in a slightly bizarre fashion when Sinclair managed to give what looked like a simple back-pass, beyond a stranded Walker and on towards an open goal and it needed some quick defensive work from the embarrassed defender to clear the ball as Nielsen closed in.

The game was then held up for two minutes following a clash of heads between Dickov and Kenton with the Leicester striker definitely fairing the worst. After careful examination from the Foxes physio Dickov was able to continue, though he might sport a large shiner for his troubles come the morning.

Eight minutes before the break and Norwich produced their best moment of the opening half when Emblen picked McVeigh out with an excellent 40-yard cross field ball. And City’s top scorer responded by cutting inside and unleashing a dipping 25-yard effort which flew little more than a foot over Walker’s bar. Two minutes later and Walker had rather more to do as Nielsen broke purposefully through the inside right channel and from 22-yards out drove a fierce, low shot to Walker’s right which the Foxes’ keeper had to stretch to save.

Deep into the half and McKinlay became the fifth booking for a late challenge on McVeigh which proved to be the last incident of note in a fascinating first half. So goalless and relatively chanceless, Norwich certainly enjoyed the better of the possession and were it a boxing match, would be well ahead on points.

Half time: Norwich City 0, Leicester City 0

With the Canaries kicking off the second period, they were swiftly back on the attack with Emblen again centre stage. Picking the ball up in the middle of the Leicester half, he again motored forward with genuine purpose – unleashing a fierce drive which Sinclair could only deflect wide for a corner.

With 10 minutes of the second period gone, Norwich continued to enjoy the greater share of possession, even if neither side had really created any clear-cut opportunities of note. Twice Norwich moved forward only to see shots blocked, while at the other end Canary keeper Green comfortably coped with a deflected Scowcroft effort.

Two quick corners on the hour mark provided Leicester’s best moment of the second half with Taggart seeing his first header deflect wide and his second fly just over Green’s bar.

It was proving to be a busy evening for referee Dean as two more bookings followed in the 64th and 66th minutes. Nedergaard was the first after he and Rogers went for the same ball with the Dane alleged to have led with an elbow as both clattered heavily to the floor. Two minutes later and it was Town old boy Scowcroft seeing yellow after Emblen again moved forward purposefully, only to be hauled down in no uncertain terms by the covering Leicester midfielder.

City boss Worthington had insisted before the game that it may well prove to be a game of patience in terms of waiting for a winning goal to arrive and so it was proving with this contest shaping up to be another in the Portsmouth mould, with one goal likely to win it.

Leicester were certainly causing City problems from corners and on 69 minutes they almost broke the deadlock as Scowcroft found himself free on the far post, only for his low shot to be directed straight at a waiting Green.

On 74 minutes City boss Worthington made his first change of the evening with Southall replacing Emblen, who left to a warm ovation. Otherwise the game continued in much the same fashion with two strong defences proving equally unyielding at either end. Four minutes later and City made their second change with Nielsen being replaced by Llewellyn.

By now Kenton was fast on his way to claiming yet another man of the match award for two exceptional moments of defending as he first produced a wonderful block tackle on Dickov as the Foxes’ striker looked to wriggle clear on the edge of the Norwich box, before clearing from virtually beneath his own bar as Scowcroft drove a dangerous cross through the Norwich six-yard area with Deane waiting to pounce.

With 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Leicester boss Adams made his first change of the night with Nicky Summerbee replacing Dickov.

On 83 minutes Deane joined the long list of names in the referee’s book for a foul on Kenton. With five minutes left, Leicester made their second change with former on-loan Norwich striker Trevor Benjamin replacing Deane.

With the game approaching a nail-biting climax, Holt came agonisingly close to finally breaking the deadlock from an 86th minute Mulryne corner. Not for the first time in was Taggart’s clearing header that averted the immediate danger only for the ball to loop invitingly to Holt lurking on the edge of the box and his dipping volley rippled the roof of the net.

A minute from time and Izzet became the ninth player booked for a late tackle on Llewellyn. Once again the referee opted to play on after the incident only for Mulryne’s final shot to spin well wide of its intended target.

With three minutes of extra time signalled to be played, so the game was all set for a nervy finish with little or nothing to choose between the two teams, a point apiece was probably be a fair result.

Full time: Norwich City 0, Leicester City 0

NORWICH CITY:
Green, Drury, Kenton, Mackay, Nedergaard, Emblen (Southall 74), Holt, Mulryne, McVeigh, Nielsen (Llewellyn 78), Roberts.
Unused Subs: Crichton, Fleming, Abbey

LEICESTER CITY:
Walker, Sinclair, Elliott, Taggart, Davidson, Scowcroft, McKinlay, Izzet, Rogers, Deane (Benjamin 85), Dickov (Summerbee 80).
Unused Subs:

ATTENDANCE:
20,952

REFEREE:
Mr M Dean

BOOKINGS:
Norwich: Emblen (3), Roberts (27), Nedergaard (64).
Leicester: Taggart (10), Dickov (17), McKinlay (45), Scowcroft (66), Deane (83), Izzet (89)

Preston North End 1 Norwich City 2

Saturday 28^th September, 2002

Two super strikes from David Nielsen and Paul McVeigh maintained City's nine game unbeaten run and more importantly three points this afternoon.

City were on the back foot for a large majority of the game but their rearguard action proved decisive and McVeigh's spectacular strike ensured the travelling support went home happy.

Robert Green was in magnificent form to further enhance his standing in Craig Brown's eyes, who before the match had said he was the best keeper outside of the Premiership.

City performed a real smash and grab raid on Preston who throughout the game belied their mid-table position.

Nigel Worthington had pulled a few selection surprises in front of today's kick off, the biggest of which was forced upon him.

Talismanic striker Iwan Roberts was left out of the squad due to a calf strain with his place up front taken by David Nielsen.

There was no place in the starting line-up for new loan signing Nicky Southall, who arrived in midweek from Premiership side Bolton Wanderers, instead he took up his position on the bench.

With Nielsen's promotion from the substitutes Zema Abbey was a shock inclusion in the travelling party.

Abbey had not figured in the first team since sustaining his cruciate knee ligament injury against Rotherham last September.
This also meant Worthington decided to change formation from the 3-5-2 which he adopted against Portsmouth last week to a straight 4-4-2 with the only change in the starting line-up being Nielsen's inclusion.

Craig Brown, on the contrary, decided to leave his tricks well and truly in the box also lining up with a 4-4-2 formation..
Eddie Lewis and Eric Skora provided the width on the left and right respectively with Paul McKenna and Dickson Etuhu in the middle.

The back four were made up of Marlon Broomes on the left and Graham Alexander at right back with support in the middle by Chris Lucketti and Colin Murdock.

City kicked off the match toward the Tom Finney end but it was the Lilywhites who started the brighter. Preston striker Ricardo Fuller took just two minutes to alert the Canary defence of his presence when he was clean through on goal but fortunately for Robert Green blasted his shot high over the goal.

Just minutes later Eric Skora crossed in from the right which asked questions of the City back four as Richard Cresswell had a free header at goal but which failed to trouble Green.

City responded in kind as Steen Nedergaard crossed in a deep searching ball which found Heckingbottom who headed into the path of David Nielsen.

But Colin Murdock was on hand to make a last-ditch tackle and prevent the Dane from opening the scoring.

The Canaries were taking their time to settle to their Deepdale surroundings in particular the defence which was looking considerably on edge.

Preston's left winger Eddie Lewis who was being given plenty of time and space came close in the ninth minute when from the edge of the box he teed up a left-foot shot which brushed the side netting of Green's goal.

City were continuing to use the long ball which was easy pickings for the Preston back four in the absence of Roberts. Fuller was proving a handful up front for the home side with an array of tricks to match his midfield teammate's Paul McKenna's namesake.

In the 19th minute the big Jamaican beat Kenton and had only Green to beat but the 22-year-old City keeper proved up to the task with a super save to his right.

Drury was alert to the danger and cleared the ball with Cresswell closing in.

Fuller was in the thick of the action again but for all the wrong reasons this time when in the 33rd minute when he received a yellow card for a foul on McVeigh having found himself space in the box but the Northern Ireland International was on hand to block the threat.

Then out of the blue in the 35th minute City countered and opened the scoring through Nielsen. The Dane latched on to a sublime through ball from Northern Ireland International Phil Mulryne and he twisted and turned in front of Preston defenders Lucketti and Murdock to coolly slot the ball past a diving Tepi Moilanen.

Preston kept their heads up and came back at City and Broomes made a charging run down the right and crossed in a dangerous ball which Malky Mackay did well to clear for a corner.

Preston took the place kick and Lilywhites captain Lucketti rose to meet the ball but Green did well to parry the ball out for another corner.

Preston sensed that this could be their opportunity to equalise and pushed everybody forward and this time the rangy midfielder Etuhu found himself with his back on goal and managed to turn to whip in a shot which Green made himself big for and chested away in the 36th minute.

He was certainly under the cosh as the Preston supporting pack were baying for an equaliser. McKenna decided to take a chance with a long shot from 30 yards out on 40 minutes but could only trouble the travelling City fans in the stand behind Green's goal.

Just before half-time Mulryne was guilty of a late challenge on Lewis 25 yards out and McKenna curled in a tantalising ball which only needed a slight touch to even the scoreline.

Half-time: Preston North End 0, Norwich City 1.

The second half kicked off and Preston were the first into the grove putting together some slick passing movements from midfield. City defended bravely as Etuhu began to make things click in the Lilywhites midfield engine. But Preston's irresistible force found itself coming up against an immovable object in City's back four.

The Canary rearguard stood firm in the face of some persistent attacking and survived having already come under a barrage of attacks in the first half and Preston outgunned their rivals 12 shots to three. It came as no surprise in the 51st minute therefore when Preston evened the scoring through Cresswell. It was Cresswell's fifth goal of the season having beaten Drury on the right and having cut inside with time to hit his shot past a stranded Green into the City net.

Just as the game flowed from end to end City took the attack back to the home side and won a throw in deep in the Preston half.

What happened next was a little piece of magic from Northern Ireland International Paul McVeigh. Heckingbottom launched a long throw into the Preston box which McVeigh met with a Pele style overhead kick past a stranded Moilanen in the 53rd minute.

Preston looked rocked slightly by this but valiantly took the game to City and Fuller again proving to be a handful up front.

In the 61st minute Nigel Worthington decided to make a change bringing on new loan signing Nicky Southall in a straight switch for Neil Emblen on the right.

City were beginning to come under some intense pressure from the home side after 70 minutes but again the defence remained resolute. McVeigh found himself alone up front in the 71st minute and tried an audacious shot from the right wing which drifted only inches wide of Moilanen's goal.

The little Irishman was in the thick of the action again moments later as he won a free-kick 35 yards out from the Preston goal. Mulryne placed the ball and weighed up his options before dragging his shot just wide of Moilanen's right-hand post.

On 73 minutes Craig Brown made his first switch of the afternoon bringing on David Healy for Skora in a bid to find the equaliser. Nigel Worthington also wishing to maintain the initiative brought on Abbey for his first start in over a year for the hard-working Nielsen.

But it was Preston's all-action striker Fuller who came the closest to equalising just moments later as he broke through on the right but was cut out by a combination of Drury and Mackay.

City seemed to step up another gear as the home side began to launch everything including the kitchen sink at Robert Green's goal.

Desperate appeals went up for a penalty from the home crowd as Fuller went down in the box as if he had been shot by a sniper but the referee Paul Rejer failed to be impressed.

On 80 minutes Preston were again in the ascendancy and Lewis unleashed a left-foot rocket at Green's goal which the City keeper did superbly to parry to his left. Green was called into action just minutes later as Murdock rose to meet a high ball but Green smothered the danger.

Both managers decided to make changes in the 87th minute but Craig Brown's was the more attacking choice bringing on Mark Rankine for Etuhu whereas Worthington opted for the defensive option retiring the splendid McVeigh for Fleming to return after his ankle injury.

Preston led charge after charge on the Norwich goal desperately seeking an equaliser but it was not to be as City failed to buckle.

Full-time: Preston 1, Norwich 2

NORWICH CITY:
Green, Kenton, Drury, Mackay, Nedergaard, Mulryne, Holt, Emblen (Southall 61), Heckingbottom, McVeigh (Fleming 87), Nielsen (Abbey 73).

Unused Subs Easton, Crichton.

PRESTON:
Moilanen, Broomes, Lucketti, Murdock, Alexander, Etuhu (Rankine 87), Skora (Healy 73), McKenna, Lewis, Cresswell, Fuller.

Unused Subs: Lucas, Cartwright, Jackson

SCORERS:
Norwich: Nielsen (35), McVeigh (54)
Preston: Cresswell (52)

ATTENDANCE:
13,550