Coventry City 3 Norwich City 0: Drinks are on Kyle after his unlikely role in rout of Norwich

Not everything is rosy for Kevin Kyle, despite a goal on his home debut and two victories out of two as a Coventry City player.

His satisfaction at playing a leading role in this win was tempered by family grumbles that may leave him to pick up a substantial bar tab. So convinced was the striker that he would not play after a thigh strain and a back spasm that he told his father to abort his usual trek from Stranraer.

"He was half an hour down the road but I told him to turn back," Kyle said. "I didn't think I'd make it. He was a wee bit annoyed because he'd filled the car up and had no money left to go out with, so I've told him he can have my win bonus and get as drunk as he wants!

"Norwich are one of the teams who are expected to go close but we've really trounced them. It's a good confidence booster."

Kyle supplied the cross that led to Chris Birchall's delicious strike from 25 yards for his first Sky Blues goal, and headed the second just past the hour.

Coventry, unable to use Leon McKenzie because of a clause in the striker's £1m deadline-day move from Carrow Road, were in unimagined comfort when Stern John's deflected effort made it three. Norwich had much of the play, if few clear chances.

Coventry were compact and fired up, and they were helped by opponents whose defending was complacent and attacking toothless.

The Norwich manager, Nigel Worthington, bridled at suggestions his side are becoming an easy touch out of Norfolk.

They have an opportunity to improve at Southend tomorrow and their former Coventry forward, Darren Huckerby, said: "We are creating chances and should have scored four or five at Leeds. We've got to put a stop to it."

Goals: Birchall (12) 1-0; Kyle (63) 2-0; John (67) 3-0.

Coventry City (4-4-2): Marshall; Whing, Page, Ward, Hall; Birchall, Hughes, Doyle, Thornton (Cameron, 70); Kyle (Hutchison, 70), John (Osbourne, 82). Substitutes not used: Adebola, Heath.

Norwich City (4-5-1): Gallacher; Colin, Doherty, Shackell, Drury; Croft, Robinson, Safri, Etuhu (Henderson, 66), Huckerby (McVeigh, 50); Earnshaw. Substitutes not used: Camp (gk), Fleming, Hughes.

Booked: Coventry Whing, Page. Norwich Croft, Etuhu, Robinson, Shackell.

Referee: J Moss (West Yorkshire).

Man of the match: Kyle.

Attendance: 20,006.