Man of the match display from City stopper
NORWICH City's Declan Rudd spoke of his pride after helping the Canaries to a 1-1 draw against Everton in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.After going behind to Romelu Lukaku's header on 15 minutes, the homegrown goalkeeper produced a string of fine saves to ensure City were only one goal behind at the interval.
That deficit was wiped out soon after the restart, when Wes Hoolahan poked home from close-range following Ryan Bennett's header being tipped into the Irishman's path by Tim Howard.
Having bided his time for a chance in the City first team, a Man of the Match performance from the 24-year-old suggests Rudd is now eager to seize the opportunity to impress.
"Playing for my hometown Club is everything I've wanted to do," he explained to Norwich City TV after the game.
"Being from Norwich, and having a season-ticket from when I was eight-years-old, it's massive for me. You can't let those emotions get in the way when you're on the pitch though; you need to do your job.
"I need to work hard to stay in the team because John Ruddy is right behind me and hungry to get that place back. It's lovely to be in the team but it's up to me now.
"John has been a great professional. He still helps me out and told me I deserved my chance. I've worked hard and now the manager has put faith in me."
The Diss-born stopper was equally pleased to see his efforts rewarded with a positive result, as he added: "We showed great character to get back into the game.
The Diss-born stopper was equally pleased to see his efforts rewarded with a positive result, as he added: "We showed great character to get back into the game.
"Our second half performance probably deserved the three points. At half-time the gaffer told us what he wanted, and we went out there and did what he said.
"He gave us a bit of belief, and we nearly got the win. It's what we should have done in the first half, but then we showed what we're capable of to come away with a draw."