Norwich City

Manager delighted with 'reaction' in 2-0 triumph over West Brom

A DELIGHTED Chris Hughton described his side’s excellent 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion as the ‘ideal away performance’.

City’s 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.

“It was the ideal away performance. There won’t be any result away from home this season that will be an easy win. You have to grind it out,” said Hughton.

“I 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.

“We know how poor we were against Liverpool but you have to have a reaction, and we got that today.”

Steve Clarke’s side pushed the Canaries in the second half, but City’s defensive line and especially goalkeeper John Ruddy produced outstanding displays to keep a clean-sheet.

“I’m really pleased for John. I think as a team, you’re hurt when you’re conceding the goals that we have done. As a goalkeeper, it probably hurts that little bit more,” he added.

“We’ve never doubted the ability that he’s got. He’s a regular with the England squad and that’s no coincidence. I thought he was excellent today.

“There were some other excellent performances today and the clean-sheet is great too. Whichever way you want to look at it, that’s two clean-sheets in three games which is as important to me as anything.”

On the course of the match, Hughton said: “As 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.”