Lions roar fourth to sink City

10:36am Wednesday 15th August 2001

Millwall quickly dispelled the pessimism at the lack of new signings by cruising to a 4-0 victory over Norwich City at the New Den on Saturday in their opening day game in Division One.

The Canaries have spent £2m in the close season, but were no match for the Lions.

After a patient build up which suggested the Lions can flourish at this level, Steve Claridge drilled Millwall ahead, latching on to Paul Ifill's cross in the 11th minute.

Steven Reid capped an impressive performance with a spectacular strike from 25 yards with the outside of his right foo, just before the interval, effectively ending Norwich's resistance even at that stage.

The Canaries rallied at the beginning of the second half, but that soon fizzled out after another Reid long- range effort tested Norwich keeper Robert Green.

The former England youth international palmed the ball out but Tim Cahill was the beneficiary, sliding in to claim Millwall's third goal.

The fourth goal was claimed by Richard Sadlier, who deflected in a drive by Lucas Neill, following a well-worked corner taken by David Livermore in the dying moments.

Millwall boss Mark McGhee was justifiably content with the performance, saying: “I'm delighted, we couldn't have had a better start. We began with the right tempo, pace and energy.

“I never anticipated a result like that. We did that to a lot of teams last season in Division Two but it's pleasing to do it at this higher level.”

But McGhee realises there's more difficult opposition to come: “I don't need to tell the players that they know. We were lucky to have a home game against Norwich, a footballing side, to start the season.

“They weren't going to come here to duff us up. It was atough for Norwich, as we're still euphoric from our recent promotion. That euphoria will fade, so we must take advantage of it whle we can.”

McGhee wasn't surprised by Reid's long-range shooting prowess saying: “He's a natural. The crowd encourage him to shoot from the halfway line! Paul Ifill can do the same in training from 40 yards, but there's more to Reid's game than just that."

After such a result, many teams will quake in their boots at thought of visiting the Lions' Den, especially when Neil Harris returns.

According to McGhee: “He should be back in October, I would think a long way ahead of schedule, after his original diagnosis.”

Norwich boss Nigel Worthington was philosophical in defeat, saying: “We were second best from the first minute. We knew what Millwall would be like.

“They wanted the game more than us. We didn't close them down for three of the goals and this is a terrific lesson for us. They showed us how to work hard and how much they wanted the points.”

The next game for the Lions will be a sure benchmark as regards their progress so far. An away game at perennial play-off contenders Birmingham City this Sunday (kick-off noon) ought to provide the acid test for Mark McGhee's young side.

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