Norwich's FA Cup romp reaps rewards

Posted by Paddy Davitt

Jan Kruger/Getty ImagesRobert Snodgrass and Norwich City dominated from the start as the Canaries cruised to victory over Peterborough.

Norwich will draw so much more than the prize of a place in the FA Cup fourth round after this 3-0 romp at Championship strugglers Peterborough.

- Match report: Peterborough 0-3 Norwich
- No disciplinary action for Snodgrass

City headed to London Road on the back of four Premier League festive defeats and were missing senior strikers Grant Holt and Steve Morison through injury. Darren Ferguson's squad had won four out of five over the same period in the Championship to haul themselves above the waterline.

In light of the 90 minutes that subsequently elapsed, you will find few among the 5,000 strong travelling supporters who would now admit to genuine concerns prior to kick-off. For that, Chris Hughton's much-changed line up deserve fulsome credit for the attitude and application shown to not become an unwanted statistic on a day in the footballing calendar synonymous with minor tremors.

The cup shocks of old have largely become extinct with the disparity between the cash-rich Premier League and the rest. But there was still an undeniable sense that the Canaries faced an afternoon of toil. In the event, it was their easiest cruise of the campaign. Elliott Bennett's 30th minute opener was remarkable only for the length of time it had taken for the visitors to turn their territorial dominance and possession into tangible reward. Bennett looked determined to impress in an advanced role alongside Simeon Jackson after eye-catching cameos in the New Year's Day defeat to West Ham. The Canadian international pressed his claims for further meaningful involvement over the second part of this season when he controlled David Fox's raking cross-field diagonal on his chest before a calm lift over Bobby Olejnik four minutes prior to the interval.

Halftime should have given Posh the chance to re-group and emerge with renewed vigour. It brought more of the same; more Norwich control, more youthful energy from Ferguson's side, but a lack of genuine nous to upset the Canaries. Robert Snodgrass' calm roll underneath Olejnik turned the final quarter into an exercise in academic management of personnel.

Hughton withdrew the Scot for Jacob Butterfield -- fresh back in the building after a staccato loan spell at Bolton. The Norwich manager made a total of eight changes to his starting line up from that recent defeat at Upton Park and there was freshness and a willingness to dictate the tempo sorely absent over the festive period. Bennett was the stand out, but Simon Lappin and Marc Tierney combined well down the left flank. Ryan Bennett enjoyed his first competitive return to London Road in a solid central defensive pairing with Leon Barnett. Declan Rudd got his second senior start of the campaign in goal, and the Diss-bred youngster was only pressed into action two minutes before the end of normal time to collect a close range stab from Michael Bostwick.

Everywhere you looked there were welcome positives for the visitors. City can look forward to the fourth round draw on Sunday lunchtime, but much more importantly they can prepare for Newcastle's Premier League visit next weekend imbued with fresh confidence.

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