CITY were left rueing a poor first-half display which left them trailing by two goals at Pride Park by the interval - and though John Kennedy scored during a Canary revival after the break too many chances went begging and Derby struck again to complete a 3-1 victory.

The Canaries started brightly but soon began to wilt under heavy Derby pressure as the first half turned swiftly in favour of the home side. The Rams opened their account in the 15th minute, Paul Green converting Ellington's cross from close range.

In the 29th minute they doubled their lead, the tricky Kris Commons given too much time and space on the left before whipping a great cross which Rob Hulse headed home.

Croft under pressure from Derby's Kris Commons

Glenn Roeder made two changes at the break, with Matty Pattison and David Bell replacing Sibierski and Hoolahan. The changes seemed to do the trick as a rejuvenated City poured forward. They hauled themselves back into the game when Kennedy headed in Bell's corner in the 64th minute and created a string of chances to make it 2-2 - but were guilty of some wayward finishing, with Lita missing two golden chances to add to his recent goalscoring heroics.

They were duly punished as within minutes of coming on, Derby sub Kazmierczak swept home a killer third goal for the hosts.

Derby: Bywater, Connolly (c), Green, Stewart, Commons, Ellington, Hulse (Villa 83), Nyatanga, Teale (Kazmierczak 77), Addison (Zadkovich 90), Albrechtsen. Subs not used: Carroll, Sterjovski, .

Norwich: Marshall, Kennedy, Stefanovic, Croft, Clingan, Sibierski (Bell 45), Hoolahan (Clingan 45), Russell (c), Bertrand, Omozusi, Lita. Subs not used: Nelson, Cureton, Doherty.