Northern Ireland and Michael McGovern's good form in the World Cup qualifiers continued at the National Stadium as Northern Ireland won 2-0 to remain second in the table behind leaders Germany.

This was a comfortable win for Northern Ireland as Jamie Ward fired them into a 1-0 lead within 90 seconds and Conor Washington added a second before half-time.

A confident McGovern was rarely called upon but was safe and sound before making a superb saves from a free kick in the 75th minute to keep Norway at bay.

That is four clean sheets out of five for McGovern in the qualifying campaign so far with only world champions Germany breaching the Enniskillen man's goal.

Kyle Lafferty came off the bench late on but the Kesh man would seem to have lost his starting place to the impressive Washington as his lack of game time at Norwich continues.

Northern Ireland remain two points clear in second place at the halfway stage of the qualifying campaign and on course for the play-offs in a bid to make the finals in Russia in 2018.

Next up for Northern Ireland will be another tough away game to fourth placed Azerbaijan.