Oscar Schwartau in action for Norwich CityImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Oscar Schwartau has made eight starts from a total of 19 appearances for Norwich this season

Oscar Schwartau made one goal and scored another as Norwich City edged past Millwall at Carrow Road to earn a much-needed first Championship win in six games.

The Canaries dominated the first half and led when Emi Marcondes put them ahead inside five minutes with a simple close-range strike following a Schwartau cross.

Managerless Milwall, who drop to 13th, one point and one place below their hosts, failed to register an attempt on goal before the break and trailed 2-0 when Danish striker Schwartau tapped the ball home for his first Norwich goal.

The second half continued in the same vein, with the hosts bossing possession and going close to adding to their tally, notably when a Schwartau strike came back off the post.

Romain Esse's fine low strike from the edge of the area - Millwall's first strike on target - ensured a nervy finish, but Norwich deservedly held on.

The anxious final few minutes seemed unlikely after a one-sided first period.

Marcondes's scrappy opener - his third goal in eight games - settled Norwich, and their constant pressure told five minutes before the break when more indecisive defending allowed Schwartau time and space to double the lead.

Millwall, whose only win in their past eight games came when they beat Blackburn Rovers under interim manager David Livermore on Saturday, barely threatened and could have been further behind by the time Esse found the net for his fifth league goal of the season.

Borja Sainz had gone close for Norwich and Schwartau went even closer, the teenager hitting the post with a right-footed shot.

The missed opportunities did not matter, however, although an excellent Duncan Watmore run could have led to a late leveller only for the striker to shoot shot straight at keeper Angus Gunn.

Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup:

"The thing that impressed me most was the way we dominated the match from minute one. We have had a tough run but the players were really on it straightaway.

"We scored early, created chances and just as importantly we were really solid at the back, never giving them any chances themselves.

"Our defensive base needs to be more solid, we have seen that in recent games, and it was much better.

"I was delighted with the first half but unfortunately it doesn't take much to take away our rhythm and flow and when they scored it changed the game a bit.

"But we continued to defend well and I was also impressed with the way the players fought to get the result."

Millwall interim head coach David Livermore:

"I thought Norwich had the edge but once we scored we could have got back in it and the lads are disappointed we didn't take anything from the game.

"Their two goals were not like us. We would normally defend the last bits better than that.

"And some of it is on me because I asked the lads to press a little bit higher and if you don't get it right goals like that can happen."

Meanwhile, Livermore confirmed he will be in charge again when the Lions travel to play Coventry City at the weekend.

"There are things going on behind the scenes and progress is being made, but I will take the game on Sunday," he said.

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