Leon McKenzie's second-half penalty sealed a sixth successive home win for Norwich.

Victory enabled Norwich to complete the double over Leicester, as they won 1-0 at the Walkers Stadium on New Year's Eve.

Having seen his Canaries side lose 2-0 to Burnley last weekend, manager Nigel Worthington brought Youssef Safri and Rob Earnshaw back at the expense of Simon Charlton and Jonatan Johansson, who both dropped to the bench.

Leicester's recent good form - they had lost just one of 10 matches prior to this game - was rewarded when boss Rob Kelly was named Coca-Cola Championship manager of the month on Thursday, but Norwich just about deserved to take maximum points.

A series of free-kicks disrupted play in the opening 10 minutes with chances at a premium.

But it was Leicester who carved out the first clear-cut opportunity just a minute later with home goalkeeper Robert Green tested by a 20-yard effort from Joey Gudjonsson.

Norwich gradually worked their way back into the game, though, with Nils-Eric Johansson doing well to clear Darren Huckerby's corner to the far post after 18 minutes.

The home side then missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead nine minutes later when Safri's corner to the far post was met by Gary Doherty, but his header cleared the crossbar.

However, the home fans did not have too long to wait as Norwich took the lead after 28 minutes.

Safri's superb through-ball found Earnshaw, who just managed to stay onside, and the former West Brom striker kept his cool to steer the ball past Leicester goalkeeper Paul Henderson to claim his fourth goal for Norwich.

The home side continued to push and Andy Hughes and McKenzie both had chances to increase the advantage before the interval.

But it was the visitors who had the first opening of the second half, Matt Fryatt testing Green from 18 yards three minutes after the re-start.

The action continued to switch from end to end, and just a couple of minutes later Norwich had another chance - only for Carl Robinson to mis-hit his shot from a promising position following an Earnshaw corner to the far post.

Leicester opted to make a change after 57 minutes as they sought to get back on terms, bringing on Andrew Welsh in place of Gudjonsson.

And it swiftly paid dividends as the visitors equalised six minutes later when Stephen Hughes found Gareth Williams and he fired home a superb effort from 20 yards.

But Norwich regained the initiative 15 minutes from time when referee Andy D'Urso awarded a penalty following a foul on Huckerby by Richard Stearman and McKenzie kept his cool to convert from the spot.

Green then made a superb save to deny Iain Hume seven minutes from time and preserve his side's lead.

Teams

Norwich Green, Fleming, Shackell, Doherty, Drury, Hughes,Robinson, Safri, Huckerby, Earnshaw, McKenzie.

Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Johansson, Charlton, Etuhu, Henderson.

Booked: Huckerby.

Goals: Earnshaw 28, McKenzie 77 pen.

Leicester Henderson, Stearman, McCarthy, Kisnorbo,Johansson (O'Grady 82), Maybury, Williams,Gudjonsson (Welsh 57), Hughes, Hume, Fryatt.

Subs Not Used: Douglas, Brevett, Gerrbrand.

Booked: Hughes, McCarthy.

Goals: Williams 63.

Att: 24,718

Ref: A D'Urso (Essex).