CITY boss Alex Neil says he and his team have to accept the criticism following Saturday's 5-0 defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Canaries' collapsed in the second half at the Amex Stadium as Glenn Murray's hat-trick helped Chris Hughton's hosts to a thumping victory.

Speaking to Norwich City TV after the game, Neil said: "It's difficult because just over a week ago we were at the top of the league, and everything was nice and rosy.

"Then a week and a half later, we're in a different scenario. The only thing you can do is take your medicine, take the criticism that is going to come my way and the players' way, and then go and work harder and make sure you put it right.

"There's no getting away from a 5-0 defeat. Everybody is embarrassed with what happened and there are going to be question marks put upon us."

Close to 3,000 Norwich fans made the trip to the south coast and Neil offered an apology for his team's performance.

"All I can really do is apologise, particularly to the fans who travelled down to watch the game because we should have served up better than that," he added.

"It's one of those games where we make a mistake for the first goal, which changes the game because then we need to go and try and force the issue. We then get done by a counter-attack, and then we get done with a cross into the box.

"From that point, the disappointing thing was that we didn't really keep our discipline and keep working and different things like that. We sort of switched off and made it easy for them, and that's probably the hardest thing to accept.

"After the third goal, I would expect us with the quality and experience we've got to go and shut up shop basically, and put it down to a bad day. But it ended in a manner which is probably humiliating for everyone."

ALEX NEIL: WE MUST TAKE OUR MEDICINE

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