Gary Hooper struck the only goal of the game as Norwich grabbed a vital win over Crystal Palace.
With Tony Pullis in charge of the London side for the first time the pressure was on the Canaries who knew that a feat would leave them just a point above Palace.
It was a predictably tight affair with Hooper demonstrating his strikers instinct to net the only goal of the game just past the half hour.
The former Celtic striker has worked his way into the Norwich side with Chris Hughton recognising that there is more to the 25-year-old’s game than simply converting chances.
“He’s a quiet lad but he is a confident lad,” the Norwich boss said. “He is strong in possession and it is our responsibility to make sure he scores goals and give him opportunities.
“I was probably more pleased with his overall performance; he produced a really strong performance and battled his cause well.
“It feels like a big win for us. We played very well in the first half and scored a good goal, but we knew they would come back.
“It is never comfortable viewing when you look at the league table and you are in a position you do not want to be in, so whatever places we have jumped tonight is a nice feeling.”
Irish internationalist Wes Hoolihan, who had a spell at Livingston early in his career,made his first Premiership start of the season with the Norwich boss delighted by his contribution.
“There is no doubt his best position is more central and for this season so far I have looked at other options, with two up front,” Hughton explained.
“It has been tougher for Wes, but the feeling we have for him is the same because he is a super player and has just lost out on some choices by myself.
“He has been frustrated, but he has handled it very well and trains very well every day.”
Think we should put in a £ 3m bid 🙂
….and throw in, Bangura, Balde,Samaras, Kayal & Izaguirre 🙂
They wouldnt take these players if we paid them 3m just to take them
Samaras you must be joking
And paid the taxi to take them down.
Get a grip bhoys fir fuck sake
What ever happened 2 getting behind your team yas all sound like anti celtic
We should have sold hooper last january when we could have got 7 m for him and it would have given us more time to get a striker ib this summer …..puki was like 4th choice. And if baldy had the potential that we say he has then a lot of other clubs would have been in fir him ..need to be prepered to pay 30 grand a week for a good striker. I bet they 2 dont even take home 25 grand between them .
25 grand lol not even 8 grand pukkis on 6 and balde on 1.5 then we wonder why we dont go further in cl . Celtic boards a disgrace lining there own pockets.
Anyone know how much these players were on?
Larsson
Sutton
Hartson
Ven of hesselink
Magic zurawski
Samaras
Excellent point,kidd.
We have splashed out big before on wages.Yes,in these days of austerity,finances have to be watched.
But to compete in CL,we need 2 quality
strikers.If it means paying them 35 K,
then so be it.
CL earnings means we can afford it.