Norwich crash out of Cup v West Ham

West Ham 1 Norwich 0

Marlon Harewood’s goal nine minutes from time was enough for West Ham to move into the fourth round of the FA Cup – and send Premiership side Norwich crashing out.

Harewood was in the right place to turn in the excellent Luke Chadwick’s right-wing cross and give the home side a win they just about deserved.

Manager Alan Pardew, who will probably have gained more breathing space with this result, opted to recall James Walker in place of Stephen Bywater in goal.

And it proved an inspired choice, as Walker made fine saves from Darren Huckerby – who also hit a post – Mattias Jonson and Jim Brennan in the second half to ensure his team progressed.

Norwich keeper Robert Green also saved well from Sergei Rebrov and Hayden Mullins in the first half, but he could do nothing to stop Harewood from putting the Canaries out.

Pardew handed young midfielder Mark Noble his first start as one of five changes – four of which were enforced – for West Ham.

For Norwich, Marc Edworthy returned from suspension and Brennan was also recalled. West Ham almost took the lead in the ninth minute. Rebrov clipped the ball back into the box after his free-kick had rebounded off the wall, and the result was an incredible melee involving players from both sides. But the Norwich goal remained intact.

David Bentley should have given the visitors the lead a minute later, but headed Brennan’s left-wing cross over the bar when well-placed eight yards out.

The match was coming to life and Green made a superb save to deny Rebrov after 14 minutes.

The Ukrainian swapped passes with Chadwick before curling a 25-yard shot towards the bottom-right corner, but Green flew to his left to push the ball behind.

The on-loan Arsenal midfielder Bentley almost set up the opening goal in the 17th minute, but Huckerby’s finish from his right-wing cross was too casual, and Walker saved with his legs.

Walker did well again in the 25th minute, blocking Brennan’s 25-yard effort after Thomas Helveg had robbed Carl Fletcher in midfield.

Then, from Tomas Repka’s excellent right-wing cross, Edworthy headed behind superbly to deny Noble an attempt on goal in the 27th minute.

And from Rebrov’s resulting corner, Marlon Harewood rose unchallenged but headed the ball straight at Green.

Chadwick, frequently poor this season, was thriving on the left. In the 29th minute, he showed superb skill to elude Bentley and Edworthy and cut the ball back, but the sliding Noble just failed to reach the ball and divert it into the net.

Chadwick came to the fore again seven minutes later, cleverly nodding Rebrov’s raking right-wing cross down to the unmarked Mullins.

The Welshman’s aim from 16 yards was true, and the ball looked destined for the right corner – but Green excelled once more to dive low to his left and turn the ball behind with one hand.

Carl Fletcher blasted well over from 22 yards for West Ham in the 48th minute - but the home side were extremely lucky to stay on level terms three minutes later.

Helveg’s through-ball caught the West Ham defence square and allowed Huckerby a clean run on goal.

But when it seemed certain the former Coventry striker would give his team the lead, he somehow sent a 12-yard shot against the left post after doing the hard work by deceiving Walker.

Norwich continued to press, and Chris Powell did well to head clear Huckerby’s mis-hit volley with Damien Francis lurking at the far post, before Powell came to prominence in attack in the 57th minute.

Chadwick’s intelligent decoy run allowed the former England left-back to charge unchallenged into the Canaries’ area, but his cut-back was hammered into touch by Simon Charlton.

Norwich missed another terrific chance to go in front in the 63rd minute. Repka’s misplaced pass allowed Huckerby to take possession and feed Mattias Jonson to his right, but Walker was alive to the danger and moved quickly off his line to make a fine block from the Swede’s 15-yard effort.

Fifteen minutes from time, Harewood put Chadwick clear but his low cross hit Edworthy, and a minute later the sprightly Huckerby beat Repka down the left and delivered the ball into the centre, where Jonson failed narrowly to make contact.

A goal finally arrived nine minutes from full-time. Chadwick escaped down the right and pulled the ball back for Harewood, who had eluded Gary Doherty, to side-foot past Green from eight yards.

The pair combined again two minutes later, but Charlton blocked Chadwick’s shot this time.

But Norwich were not finished. With six minutes left, Walker made another great save to deny Huckerby – who had played a neat one-two with Jonson – before recovering to clutch Brennan’s follow-up effort.