Norwich City 2-0 Coventry City: Kenny McLean and Jordan Hugill goals put Canaries through
- Published
Two goals in 80 seconds early in the first half helped a much-changed Norwich beat Coventry to reach the FA Cup fourth round.
The Canaries went ahead after six minutes when Todd Cantwell's first-time ball was finished off by Kenny McLean.
Coventry found themselves two down a minute later when Jordan Hugill glanced home Przemyslaw Placheta's cross.
Maxime Biamou had several chances for the visitors but found young goalkeeper Daniel Barden in fine form.
Norwich manager Daniel Farke made seven changes for the Championship leaders, with top scorer Teemu Pukki and playmaker Emiliano Buendia kept on the bench.
The Sky Blues made a fast start with Biamou dragging a shot wide before Barden, standing in for Covid-hit regular goalkeeper Tim Krul, denied Callum O'Hare inside five minutes.
But their defence was caught cold when Placheta cut in from the left to find Cantwell, who sent a deft pass through the defence to McLean to finish past Ben Wilson.
The Polish winger was also involved in the second goal, sending in a dangerous cross to the near post which Hugill gleefully nodded in to leave the visitors stunned.
Coventry carved out some good openings in a strong start to the second period, with Biamou twice being denied by fine saves from Barden, who excelled in the Canaries goal.
Pukki and Buendia entered the fray with 13 minutes remaining and the Finnish striker almost made it three but saw his shot come back off the post.
Norwich head coach Daniel Farke:
"Daniel [Barden] made some really good saves in the second half and that will only be good for his confidence and will improve his standing in the group.
"I think it was a perfect afternoon for us. We made progress in the FA Cup, which is the most important thing, scored two good goals and kept a clean sheet and I will take that all day long.
"We were also able to give several players who needed a game some action while resting some others after a busy workload, so there are many things to be pleased about."
Sky Blues manager Mark Robins:
"We had a couple of really good chances before they scored and we were really on top in that period. Then they get a goal, really out of nothing.
"The second half was a lot better but in terms of when we get chances, we've not worked the goalkeeper hard enough.
"Really, everything has gone straight at him - apart from one Max Biamou had, where he's made a really good save."
Stream eight live FA Cup third-round games this weekend on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app. Find out more here.