McVeigh launches Canaries on path to second place

Norwich City finished sixth in the Nationwide First Division last season and have started the new campaign in the mood to do even better this term. A 4-0 thumping of Watford at Carrow Road maintained the Canaries' 100 per cent home record and lifted them to second.

"There's been a buzz around the place for around 18 months now and this is just a continuation of what we saw last season," Nigel Worthington, Norwich's manager, said. The Hornets, buzz-free away from Vicarage Road, held out until the 29th minute, when Paul McVeigh's fifth goal of the season, a crisp shot from the edge of the penalty area, put Norwich ahead. Iwan Roberts made it 2-0 soon after the start of the second half and matters quickly deteriorated for Watford. Paul Robinson was sent off with 24 minutes left, Phil Mulryne, from 20 yards, scored from a free-kick, Dominic Foley's second yellow card left the visitors with nine men and David Nielsen added the fourth goal.

"We scored four goals, knocked the ball around very well and were also very solid at the back, so it was a pleasing afternoon's work," was Worthington's view.

Leicester City are settling in well at their new Walkers Stadium. They beat Gillingham 2-0 to keep their perfect home record and welcomed back Callum Davidson, a second-half substitute, who was making his first appearance since Dennis Wise broke his jaw. Leicester took the lead after a corner, Junior Lewis forcing in the ball. When Ian Walker punted, Brian Deane headed on and Paul Dickov fired in: 2-0. Leicester go third and their manager, Micky Adams can now refocus his team. "I'm glad the transfer window has shut because it stops Premiership clubs looking at our players and we can concentrate on settling the squad," he said afterwards. "That includes Muzzy Izzet, who had been terrific before having to go off with a calf sprain."

Alan Pardew, Reading's manager, agrees with Adams. His midfielder, Andy Hughes, signed from Notts County in the summer, scored both goals, from John Salako crosses, as Reading won 2-0 at Walsall. "I'm pleased about the transfer windows coming in," he said, "because I think Hughesy has a lot coming, and I think people would be looking at him."

Malcolm Christie scored two goals in three minutes late on at Pride Park as Derby County beat Stoke City. A Branko Strupar cut-back presented him with the first, substitute Georgi Kinkladze's through-ball set up the second. Still in the Midlands, Nottingham Forest won 1-0 at Coventry, Riccardo Scimeca scoring.

A goalless draw with Crystal Palace at Turf Moor earned Burnley their first point of the season, but they stay bottom. "It wasn't the greatest performance," manager Stan Ternent acknowledged, "but a point is a point and you know what they say about little acorns."

Steve Claridge "was different class", his Millwall manager, Mark McGhee, reckoned, as he scored a goal in each half to earn the Lions their first win of the season, 2-0 against Grimsby Town. "I gave him a deeper role today behind the two strikers," McGhee added, "but he ended up bagging the goals. Overall, though, our performance was not that convincing."

Brentford's encouraging start in the Second Division under new manager Wally Downes continued at Meadow Lane when they came back from two goals down to Notts County to earn a 2-2 draw and stay top. Plymouth Argyle also drew 2-2, at Queen's Park Rangers, to move up to second. New leaders in the Third Division after Rushden lost 4-1 at Cambridge United and Gordon Watson's sixth goal of the season lifted Hartlepool to the top of the table. Finally, Darlington, spurned by Faustino Asprilla, eased their disappointment by earning a point from a 1-1 draw at Kidderminster.