Manager delighted with 'reaction' in 2-0 triumph over West Brom
A DELIGHTED Chris Hughton described his sideâs excellent 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion as the âideal away performanceâ.Cityâs boss exclaimed his delight at the reaction of his players when speaking to the media after the final whistle at the Hawthorns, where the Canaries triumphed thanks to goals from Gary Hooper and Leroy Fer.
âIt was the ideal away performance. There wonât be any result away from home this season that will be an easy win. You have to grind it out,â said Hughton.
âI thought we were very tight in the early stages, and then getting that goal in front means an awful lot because it puts the onus on West Brom.
âWe know how poor we were against Liverpool but you have to have a reaction, and we got that today.â
Steve Clarkeâs side pushed the Canaries in the second half, but Cityâs defensive line and especially goalkeeper John Ruddy produced outstanding displays to keep a clean-sheet.
âIâm really pleased for John. I think as a team, youâre hurt when youâre conceding the goals that we have done. As a goalkeeper, it probably hurts that little bit more,â he added.
âWeâve never doubted the ability that heâs got. Heâs a regular with the England squad and thatâs no coincidence. I thought he was excellent today.
âThere were some other excellent performances today and the clean-sheet is great too. Whichever way you want to look at it, thatâs two clean-sheets in three games which is as important to me as anything.â
On the course of the match, Hughton said: âAs it went on, it was always going to be a case of them earning an equaliser or us pushing on and getting a second one. We had to defend very, very well and we did.â