Sheffield Wednesday slipped further into the relegation mire with a crushing
home defeat by play-off candidates Norwich.
The Canaries stormed into a four-goal lead before half-time with goals from
Darren Kenton, Paul McVeigh and a David Nielsen brace.
The Owls, who have won just once in their last 10 First Division games, also
had Paul McLaren sent off for two bookable offences in the opening half.
Norwich made it five with the best goal of the game from midfielder Gary Holt
midway through the second half to complete a miserable afternoon for Wednesday.
Nigel Worthington's side had got off to the best possible start as Kenton put
the visitors in front after just five minutes.
A poor pass from Wednesday midfielder Matthew Hamshaw was picked up by Kenton
who raced past defender Derek Geary before firing low into Kevin Pressman's
left-hand corner from 10 yards.
Wednesday, however, could have pulled one back 10 minutes later when Gerald
Sibon's snap shot skimmed off the top of the Norwich crossbar from 25 yards.
But Norwich doubled their advantage after 17 minutes when Kenton headed
forward and, as the Wednesday defence appealed for offside, Nielsen stepped up
to blast past Pressman from 12 yards.
The Owls were then reduced to 10 men on 21 minutes when McLaren's reckless
challenge on Brian McGovern, just two minutes after his first booking, left
referee Ray Oliver no option but to dismiss the midfielder.
Things turned from bad to worse for Wednesday as Norwich made it 3-0 on 27
minutes. McVeigh played Nielsen in and the on-loan Wimbledon striker outpaced
Danny Maddix before scoring his second of the game from 12 yards.
Owls fans could not believe their eyes as the visitors made it four just seven
minutes before the break. Alex Notman's cross was headed back across goal by
Kenton for McVeigh to finish from close range.
After the break it was a case of limiting the damage for the home side.
Wednesday did create chances with Sibon and Marlon Broomes both going close.
But Norwich added another goal on 76 minutes. Holt fired a 30-yard angled
drive into the top corner.
Teams
Sheff Wed: Pressman, Haslam, Geary (Crane 45), Maddix, Broomes, Hamshaw, Soltvedt, McLaren, O'Donnell (Djordjic 33), Ekoku, Sibon.
Subs Not Used: Stringer, Bonvin, Donnelly.
Sent Off: McLaren (21).
Booked: McLaren, Geary, Crane.
Norwich: Green, McGovern, Mackay, Fleming, Sutch (Russell 80), Kenton, Holt, McVeigh, Mulryne, Roberts (Notman 30), Nielsen (Rivers 78).
Subs Not Used: Crichton, Easton.
Booked: Sutch.
Goals: Kenton 5, Nielsen 17, 27, McVeigh 38, Holt 76.
Att: 19,205
Ref: R Olivier (Sutton Coldfield).
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