Source: Team_Talk
Cats cruise to win over Canaries
The Republic of Ireland midfielder - who had netted only two goals since his move from Charlton - was one of nine changes by manager Steve Bruce for the clash against the team he lifted the Milk Cup with back in 1985.[LNB]The Mackems were, though, still far too good for City, whose main concern under new boss Paul Lambert will be getting back into the Championship at the first attempt.[LNB]Although the home side had started brightly, Norwich were undone all too easily on the break.[LNB]Teemu Tainio set the ball rolling after 26 minutes, and then Reid netted a well-taken double to put the tie beyond Lambert's men before half-time.[LNB]Wes Hoolahan reduced the deficit just after the hour, only for Owain Tudur Jones to quickly deflect a corner into his own net.[LNB]Norwich finished with only nine men when defender Michael Spillane was sent off for a professional foul on Frazier Campbell, and keeper Ben Alnwick suffered up a cut to his face.[LNB]Sunderland now prepare for their Premier League clash at Stoke, while next up for Norwich is a long trip to Hartlepool - which just about sums up the current difference between the two clubs.[LNB]Craig Gordon came into goal, with only captain George McCartney and striker Kenwyne Jones retaining their places from the side which beat Blackburn.[LNB]It looked like Norwich could take advantage during the early exchanges.[LNB]The home fans - in a crowd just over 12,000, well short of that for the game against Wycombe on Saturday - were calling for a penalty after just six minutes when Nyron Nosworthy bundled over teenage striker Luke Daley.[LNB]Referee Anthony Taylor, though, was unimpressed.[LNB]Sunderland, though, looked dangerous on the break.[LNB]On 12 minutes, Reid whipped the ball over, which Campbell turned goalwards with a stunning over-head effort. On-loan Tottenham keeper Alnwick got his fingertips to the rasping shot, which was just enough to tip it onto the crossbar.[LNB]Norwich were riding their luck, but broke clear when Simon Whaley went into the right side of the penalty area. However, his weak shot was saved by Gordon.[LNB]The Scottish keeper was then called on again to touch over Simon Lappin's long-range strike.[LNB]Sunderland took the lead on 26 minutes.[LNB]Jones brushed off the challenge of Doherty before darting into the right side of the penalty area and cut the ball back to Tainio, who drilled in a low shot from 10 yards.[LNB]Before Norwich had a chance to respond, it was 2-0.[LNB]Sunderland broke away down the left through Reid.[LNB]From just inside the box, the winger chipped a perfectly-weighted ball over the keeper and into the far corner.[LNB]It was then 3-0 on 36 minutes as Norwich were once again torn apart on the break.[LNB]A string of one-touch passes picked out Campbell in the middle, who in turn fed Reid on the overlap, and he drilled the ball into the top corner.[LNB]At the end of the first half, Gordon saved well from Tudur Jones, the Wales midfielder drilling in a low shot from 15 yards.[LNB]Sunderland replaced Jones with Daryl Murphy for the second half. Norwich upped their tempo following the restart.[LNB]In the 63rd minute, Norwich's pressure finally paid off.[LNB]Jon Otsemobor's cross from the right was headed against the far post by substitute Cody McDonald - and Hoolahan knocked the ball into an unguarded net.[LNB]Chris Martin then just failed to connect with a low cross at the far post.[LNB]However, any thoughts of a comeback were quickly ended when Tudur Jones deflected a corner into his own net.[LNB]Spillane, as the last defender, was sent off on 82 minutes for pulling back Campbell, who slid into the keeper and Alnwick had to go off for treatment to a cut face.[LNB]With all three substitutes used, McDonald went in goal. However, he could do little but watch Carlos Edwards crash a 25-yard shot against the bar.[LNB][LNB]
