Norwich City Under-23s coach Alan Neilson was delighted to see his side get the job done in Monday's 3-1 Premier League Cup win against Reading U23s.
"I was quite pleased," he said on the performance. "In the first half, we were a bit on the back foot and I wouldn't say we pressed them enough or were getting close to them enough.
"In the second half, they were a little bit tired. The main thing that we said before the game was that we had to win, so that put a little bit of pressure on them.
"We're still in the cup and the next game will be a very interesting one."
City face Charlton Athletic on February 14, a must-win final game in the group stages to secure progression to the next round.
"There are some league games we've got to concentrate on now, but that will be a good one next month," Neilson said. "They need a draw or win, while we've got to win, so it will be an entertaining game.
"We know it's development, but some games you've got to go out and win. Hopefully, we'll qualify and then get into the knockout stage.
"It's good playing different teams like Charlton and Derby County who aren't in our league, so hopefully if we do progress, we'll get another team we haven't played against."
Flynn Clarke's second half brace settled the tie on Monday, but Neilson will always ask for more from his players.
"Flynn took his goals really well," he said. "I thought in the second half that if our final ball was a little bit better then we could have created more chances.
"Abu [Kamara] was unlucky with some of his shots, but I thought we were more solid at the back. They put a few balls into the box, which you expect in a cup game.
"We controlled the game and moved the ball better in the second half."
"It's a really good ball from Joe Duffy [for Flynn's second goal], who came on in the second half in centre midfield. It changed the formation slightly. The key assist areas are on the edge of that 18-yard box. Flynn showed two good finishes.
"I'm a nit-picker and I still want more from him. He's got that quality on the ball and we're trying to work on him more out of possession to close the goalkeeper down, which wasn't really part of his game.
"He's got to keep improving that and show the quality with the goals. He's got three in two games now, so hopefully more to come."