GRAEME Murty was pleased with much of what he saw from his Norwich City Under-18s on Saturday, after they were narrowly beaten 1-0 away to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

A contentious penalty on the stroke of half-time ultimately settled the contest, bringing an end to City's run of three consecutive wins in all competitions.

Reflecting on the Barclays Under-18s Premier League defeat, Murty told canaries.co.uk: "There were a lot more positives from the game than there were negatives.

"I thought it was a soft penalty, but the players have to understand if you lunge at anyone in the box then the referee has to make a decision. We would rather sort the problem at source than complain about decisions afterwards.

"Generally we carried a threat when we moved the ball quickly but needed to pass better than we did. Once we win the ball back, our first pass has to be of a higher quality than it was at the weekend.

"We were better once we set ourselves up to counter their shape, and defended fairly well throughout."

Another plus point for the Academy coach was the return of goalkeeper Marcus Beauchamp, following nine months out with a serious knee injury.

"I'm really pleased for him because he's put a lot of hard work in," Murty added.

"People outside of football don't necessarily realise how hard you have to work to come back from a big injury like he's had. He deserves massive pat on the back because he's attacked his rehabilitation really well.

"The medical staff have been immense in giving him a very specific programme. It's then down to Marcus to execute that as a player, and he's done that really well so I'm full of admiration for what he's done.

"For him now, the hard work in football terms begins again."

NORWICH CITY: Beauchamp; Syme, Lewis, Pollock, Ellesley (Odusina, 85), Crowe (Aransibia, 75), Couzens, Sambu, Ashley-Seal, McIntosh, Jaiyesimi: Subs not used: Oxborough (GK), Da Costa, Kamal.

REPORT: TOTTENHAM 1-0 U18s

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