Reading 0 Norwich City 2

Last updated : 19 September 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Norwich struck twice from their first two attacks in the opening five minutes and comfortably protected their lead against a reading side reduced to ten men following a red card for John Mackie.

The central defender received his marching orders three minutes before half time following a reckless tackle on Paul McVeigh having already earned a booking form Steve Bennett for manhandling the official in protest over an earlier offence.

Those incidents summed up Reading's frustrations in a game that was effectively decided in the opening skirmishes.

McVeigh opened the scoring with just three minutes on the clock, sweeping home from close range for his seventh goal of the season after an inviting low cross from captain Iwan Roberts.

Two minutes later Norwich doubled their lead when midfielder Phil Mulryne cut inside and curled a right-footed shot beyond helpless Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann.

Reading, experimenting with a 3-5-2 formation were in disarray but it could have been worse.

Mulryne went close again on 14 minutes when he sent a free-kick over the Reading crossbar following a handball which had lead to Mackie's first booking.

Hapless Reading looked likely to fold under the early avalanche but to their credit the home side fought back.

Striker Tony Rougier rolled a left-foot shot across the face of goal and later saw a header flash just wide, while former Norwich striker Jamie Cureton sent a long-range shot just over the bar.

Peculiarly Reading produced their best football after being reduced to ten men.

Rougier should have done better early in the second half but froze with just one defender blocking his route to goal and midfielder Andy Hughes saw a stinging drive fly inches over the bar.

But a lifeline never looked within the home side's reach as Alan Pardew's men failed to force a save from Norwich keeper Robert Green.

The home side were denied a possible penalty midway through the second half but a Rougier tumble under a tackle from Mulryne was ignored by referee Bennett, who was booed throughout by the frustrated home fans.