Norwich City 0-3 Swansea City: Martin's side cruise to win against 10-man Canaries
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Olivier Ntcham celebrates in spectacular fashion after scoring his seventh goal of the season
Swansea City's fine late-season form continued as head coach Russell Martin savoured a comprehensive 3-0 win on his return to Norwich City.
Joel Latibeaudiere and Liam Cullen headed in before Norwich's Sam McCallum was sent off late in the first half.
Olivier Ntcham's goal rounded off an emphatic victory for a Swansea side who have taken 19 points from seven games.
They moved alongside Norwich in the table, three points outside the Championship play-off places.
But with only two games each to play this season - and a host of clubs involved in the congested top-six race - both Norwich and Swansea look most likely to finish somewhere in mid-table.
This was a sweet victory for former Canaries skipper Martin on his first competitive visit to Carrow Road since he left East Anglia in 2018.
There was frustration for David Wagner, however, as Norwich's disappointing form continued.
Wagner's team have won only one of their last nine games, with fans making their frustrations clear on a miserable afternoon for the home side.
Martin helped Norwich to glory in the 2015 Championship play-offs, one of three promotions he won during nine years at the club.
But any prospect of a return to Wembley for the Canaries this spring has faded during a slump in results which never looked like ending against a Swansea side enjoying their best spell of the campaign.
The Welsh club ought to have gone in front when Ntcham's fine pass sent Cullen through on goal, but Angus Gunn did well to save with his leg.
But from the Ryan Manning corner which followed, Latibeaudiere climbed above Andrew Omobamidele to head in just his second Swansea league goal.
Swansea defender Joel Latibeaudiere rises to head home just his fourth senior goal
Norwich might have responded when Josh Sargent glanced a header wide, but it was Swansea who carried by far the greater threat.
Jamie Paterson missed a golden chance to double the visitors' lead, dragging wide having been sent through by Luke Cundle, before a sharp passing move brought the second goal.
Having seen his first cross blocked, Manning chipped the ball across goal for Cullen to head home from a couple of yards.
Cullen was bearing down on goal once more three minutes later, prompting McCallum into a desperate barge which saw him sent off by referee David Webb.
The 10 men might have conceded again before half-time when Joel Piroe picked out Manning, but his low drive kissed the outside of the post.
Swansea were utterly dominant after the break, and deservedly extended their lead when a long spell of possession ended with Cundle feeding Ntcham.
The Cameroon international's clever first touch allowed him to burst between Omobamidele and Max Aarons before he poked the ball between Gunn's legs and into the net.
Norwich head coach David Wagner:
"There was not a lot in the game, it was a very a tactical game, but unfortunately we conceded a set-piece goal, then a free header and with a red card, we gave ourselves a mountain to climb against a team which handles the ball very well.
"We wanted then to break on the counter or have some set-pieces, but I think there's not a shadow of doubt that it was a deserved defeat. We were second best.
"I totally understand and respect frustration after our home record and the performance of today. This is absolutely acceptable. What I don't like is if we finger point to individuals. I think this makes no sense."
Swansea head coach Russell Martin:
"It was a beautiful day for us. We were great 11 v 11. Norwich started the game well, the first 15 minutes. There was a bit of tension in the players which surprised me a little bit because we haven't had that for a while.
"Once they settled down I thought we were brilliant. We had a few opportunities and then we are 2-0 up and they get a man sent off, which is obviously very helpful.
"The most pleasing bit for me in the second half was that we asked them to be patient, keep the ball moving quickly and wait for the right moment to try to get a goal, and I thought we did that so well.
"I think the play-offs will be more points than we can get. I wish the season was two or three games longer."