Lambert gets off to a flier at his old club's expense

NEW Norwich chief Paul Lambert got off to a flier at his old club's expense as Norwich City cashed in on Wanderers' defensive frailties.

The former Wycombe chief could not have wished for more accomodating opponents as his old team rolled over and allowed his new charges to race into a 3-0 lead inside the first 36 minutes.

The Blues briefly threatened a fightback with Jon Paul Pittman's goal at the end of the first half and Matt Harrold's right at the start of the second.

But their bid was snuffed out by Jens Berthel Askou who scored just three minutes later as Wycombe conceded from a set-piece for the fourth time in the game to the disgust of Peter Taylor and the relief of Lambert.

Lambert, who walked out on Wycombe 15 months ago after guiding them to the Carling Cup semi-final and the promotion play-offs during his two years in charge saying one or two things weren't right, was booed by the Wanderers fans as he was introduced to the home crowd before the kick off.

But his first ever Norwich team soon silenced those jeers.

All three of City's first half goals conceded to Grant Holt, Korey Smith and John Ostemobor - came from set-pieces making it a shocking eight goals, shortly to become nine, Wycombe have let in from dead ball situations this season as Blues pressed the self destruct button for their old gaffer.

Lambert was appointed manager of Norwich following a brief spell in charge of Blues bitter rivals Colchester.

He got the job after masterminding Colchester's 7-1 win at Norwich a fortnight ago.

That result cost Bryan Gunn his job and Lambert jumped straight into his shoes and straight into a clash against his former charges.

He made six changes for his first game while Taylor, his replacement at Wycombe, wielded the axe four times with his team selection.

In came Leon Johnson, Stuart Green, Pittman and Chris Westwood with Luke Oliver, Ian Westlake, Matt Phillips and Adam Smith all relegated to the Chairboys' bench following the midweek draw with Southend.

Just three of Blues' starting 11 had played under Lambert but it was one of those old boys, Johnson who prevented City taking a 13th minute lead.

Grant Holt's pass split the Blues defence but Jonson recovered to nick the ball away from Jamie Cureton, whose eyes were lighting up at the prospect of a free shot at goal.

But it was Holt, the man who scored five times for Shrewsbury against Wycombe in a Johnstone Paints tie last season, who was their scourge again as he fired Lambert's team into a 15th minute lead clincically exposing Wanderers' Achilles heel.

He found room in the six yard box to prod home Simon Lappin's free kick as Wycombe's set-piece allergy struck again.

Straight from the restart it should have been two. Wanderers lost possession but Paul McVeigh, unmarked on the edge of their box wanted too much time and too many touches and pulled his shot wide.

Blues keeper Scott Shearer then had to bat another effort away from under his own bar as City began to enjoy themselves in the sun.

Shearer was busy again diving at the base of his post to push out another Lappin free kick.

But there was nothing he could do about City's second – again from a set piece.

This time Wycombe half cleared the corner but only to the edge of the box where Korey Smith belted in his first goal for the Canaries with a 25th minute shot which was as clean as a whistle.

Norwich were first to everything, so much so that they were even colliding with their own players in their haste to win the ball.

Blues survived again when Cureton's pull back came behind Holt who had looked odds-on to tuck in his second but Wanderers' relief was short lived as they conceded their third – again from a set piece.

They failed to clear McVeigh's flag kick and when the ball was headed back there were no challengers around John Ostembor, who didn't even have to jump to steer his header in off the far post and into the net.

With just 36 minutes gone it was now an exercise in damage limitation and Shearer did well to push out another Lappin free kick.

But out of nowehere Blues grabbed a 38th minute lifeline.

Canaries defender Berthel Askou misjudged a bouncing ball into his box and Pittman took full advantage to pull a goal back.

The doubts immediately started to sink into City and Wanderers suddenly had a purpose about them.

Pittman's pace was unsettling Norwich and it was clear that the next goal would be crucial.

And those home doubts grew into huge concerns just 31 seconds into the second half as Harrold thumped in a fierce volley on the turn to make it 3-2 and game on.

Lambert stood hands on hips in disbelief but he need not have worried. Wycombe conceded another free kick just three minutes later and we all know what that means.

Lappin whipped in the ball and Berthel Askou stooped in front of the Wycombe defence to restore Norwich's two-goal lead.

Six goals in the first 48 minutes shows that both managers have got some serious defensive work to do.

And Lappin almost continued the scoring frenzy with a precise chip which Shearer tipped over.

Defending seemed to go out of the window and Johnson and Harrold both had headers at the Norwich goal.

The defensive uncertainties on both sides gave you the feeling that if Wycombe were to score again they could still snatch an unlikely point.

Chris Westwood drilled in a shot which City custodian Ben Alnwick was relieved to keep out but any lingering hopes of a comeback were snuffed out by that man Holt on 71 minutes.

Wanderers' retreating defence went to City substitute Tom Adeyemi but forgot all about Holt who was steaming up on the outside. Adeyemi fed him and Holt sat down keeper Shearer before lifting the ball over him for the fifth.

The home crowd responded by singing Lambert's name.

Holt would have completed his hat-trick on 78 minutes had it not been for the outstretched leg of Wycombe man of the Match Shearer and then in the 89th minute he scooped over the bar from close range under pressure from Johnson.

For Lambert it was the stuff of dreams for Wycombe it was what nightmares are made of.