Mooney moves Birmingham closer to place in the sun

Birmingham City 4 Norwich City

A hat-trick from Tommy Mooney, a striker considered unsuitable for Watford by Gianluca Vialli, fired Birmingham back into the thick of the First Division promotion race with aplomb yesterday. Norwich, among the pace-setters, played pretty football but were swept aside on an unsophisticated afternoon.

One unexpected result of the reduction of Premiership football on Saturday has been more interest in the top clubs in the Nationwide League, particularly those with Phoenix credentials. Birmingham, the team whose manager-designate, Steve Bruce, is serving gardening leave while contracted to Crystal Palace, and Norwich fall into the category: decent city clubs with a fear of missing the gravy train as financial turmoil lurks.

Norwich, once of the top league and conquerors of Bayern in the Uefa Cup, have endured impoverished times before emerging this season as promotion contenders under the guidance of Nigel Worthington. Their fluid 4-5-1 formation, with much slick passing, suggested a team with confidence and ideas, but lacked strength. Birmingham, recovering from the departure of Trevor Francis, now at Palace, were more direct and determined. They made light of any concerns over majority shareholder David Sullivan's recent attempts to sell his shares, an effort that was frustrated by their fall in value.

Indeed, the Blues' hunger for action put them in early command and into the lead after 30 minutes when Mooney headed firmly beyond Robert Green from a Nicky Eaden cross. It was no more than they deserved on chances created. Stan Lazaridis, wide from 20 yards, Mooney, with a shot on the turn, and Tresor Luntala all had wasted opportunities.

Norwich's hopes were not assisted either when the lone striker Iwan Roberts came off after 35 minutes to be replaced by Marc Libbra, a move that clearly weakened them. It was no surprise when a bullish Mooney collected the ball wide on the left of the penalty area and struck their second with a half-volley that flew into the top corner just before the break.

In an effort to add some weight to their own flimsy attack, Norwich sent on Alex Notman for Mark Rivers in the second half, but before their revised tactics were given a chance the home side had scored a third. A long ball forward from David Burrows evaded a hesitant defence and Marcelo struck with a perfectly controlled, diagonal left-foot shot beyond Green.

If that was not game over for Norwich, it was in the 58th minute when Mooney, again, ruptured their rearguard. This time, he turned on to a pass from Marcelo and, as he shot into Green's midriff, was pulled or pushed by Craig Fleming, an offence noticed by the referee but few others. From the spot-kick, Mooney completed his hat-trick with his fifth goal this season. A few minutes later, Norwich were not awarded a far more obvious penalty when, from a Paul McVeigh chip, the ball clearly struck Darren Purse's arm.

It was all food for thought for Francis. He is the next manager to visit St Andrews when Palace call on Tuesday and, according to the locals, Bruce is likely to be "transferred" to the Midlands club. On this evidence, however, Birmingham may have little need to replace Mick Mills and Jim Barron at all.

Birmingham City 4

Mooney 30, 45, pen 58, Marcelo 46

Norwich City 0

Half-time: 2-0 Attendance: 17,310