Norwich City 2, Oldham Athletic 0

First-half goals from Grant Holt and Wes Hoolahan gave Norwich City their sixth successive home win in League One as they produced another polished display against struggling Oldham Athletic.

The scoreline flattered the visitors, who only threatened seriously when City goalkeeper Fraser Forster had to make two fine saves late in the game.

Skipper Holt scored his 19th goal of the season after 21 minutes with a superb header from Chris Martin's cross.

Hoolahan made it 11 for the campaign 11 minutes later with a curling shot that grazed the head of Oldham skipper Sean Gregan on its way in.

The result made it nine wins in the last 11 league games for the Canaries in their bid to regain Championship status.

Manager Paul Lambert made one change to the side that started Tuesday's game at Southend, with Darel Russell returning in midfield after missing the 3-0 win with a "dead leg". Stephen Hughes was the unlucky man to miss out, reverting to the substitute's bench, where 17-year-old Jed Steer was included for the third game in a row and on-loan Anthony McNamee was hoping for his first appearance.

Before kick-off, goalkeeper Fraser Forster was presented with the player of the month award for November.

With just 20 seconds gone, Lappin swung a cross into the danger area but Holt, arriving at the far post, was just unable to direct his header on target.

A quickly taken free-kick for a foul by Furman on Hoolahan provided another opening as Hoolahan played Chris Martin through on the right side of the area and he struck a low cross-shot that goalkeeper Flahavan held at full strength.

City forced a flurry of early corners without making the breakthrough but after 10 minutes Russell tested Flahavan again after meeting Holt's pass with a powerful drive that deflected off a defender's head on its way to the keeper.

Oldham skipper Gregan needed treatment after taking a powerful Drury effort slap, bang on the front of the head, leaving him dazed.

Hoolahan fired over the top from Drury's cross as all the action continued to revolve around the Oldham penalty area.

Oldham's first shot, after 20 minutes, came from Furman but was so badly mishit that it went out for a throw.

City deservedly went ahead after 21 minutes with a superbly worked goal as Holt scored his 19th of the season.

Russell Martin's excellent forward pass found Chris Martin, whose cross bounced in front of Holt at the far post but was directed past Flahavan wih a marvellous header by the City skipper.

A free-kick by Russell almost provided the second after 28 minutes when Askou nodded it into the path of Hoolahan, whose goalbound header deflected wide off Jacobson.

City's appeals for a penalty for handall moments later went unheeded by referee Phillips as the hosts continued to dominate.

It was 2-0 after 32 minutes as Hoolahan scored his 11th of the season in a move he started and finished.

An Oldham free-kick broke down and Hoolahan found Chris Martin with a superb diagonal pass to the left flank, where Martin fed Drury, whose centre was brought under control by Hoolahan, who scored with a curling left-foot shot that grazed the head of Gregan on the way in.

Another well-worked move ended with Chris Martin teeing up Hoolahan for a powerful shot, but Flahavan was right behind it.

t Half-time: Norwich City 2, Oldham Athletic 0

Three minutes after the break, Smith floated a chip just over the bar after a pass from Drury.

Oldham immediately made their first change with Parker replacing Heffernan.

Chris Martin fired just over the angle of post and bar as City continued to dominate, then Hoolahan played Holt into a shooting position, but his effort lacked power and Flahavan gathered it easily.

Some of City's passing football was outstanding and after Smith headed just wide, Chris Martin caught Gregan in an uncomfortable place with a volley from Lappin's cross.

Drury needed attention after being caught with an elbow in the face by substitute Parker, though referee Phillips missed the incident and the Oldham man was lucky to escape punishment.

With 20 minutes left, Oldham produced their only serious effort of the match as Parker burst clear but was denied by a fine save by Forster.

With 12 minutes left, Daley replaced Chris Martin in City's first change.

Holt needed attention after a late foul by Gregan that sparked an angry exchange.

McNamee came on for his debut in place of Hoolahan with eight minutes left.

A header by Brooke forced Forster into action for only the second time with five minutes left.

Forster then made an excellent save from Whitaker to maintain City's two-goal advantage.

t Norwich City: Forster; Russell Martin, Doherty, Askou, Drury; Russell; Smith, Lappin; Hoolahan; Holt, Chris Martin.

Subs: Steer, Nelson, Hughes, Adeyemi, McNamee (for Hoolahan, 82), Daley (for Chris Martin, 78), McDonald.

t Oldham Athletic: Flahavan; Lomax, Gregan, Jacobson, Black; Stephens, Furman, Whitaker, Colbeck; Smalley, Heffernan.

Subs: Brill, Lee, Rowney, Blackman, Brooke (for Furman, 76), Parker (for Heffernan, 49), McKerr.

t Referee: David Phillips (Sussex)

t Attendance: 24,404

t Goals: Norwich: Holt (21), Hoolahan (32)

t Bookings: Oldham: Furman (27), Gregan (79)