Norwich City boss Dean Smith was left frustrated after defeat at Manchester United.
The Canaries lost to United 3-2, as Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a hat-trick. However, for large parts of the game Norwich looked good on the ball and created problems for the home side, it was just their defending that let them down.
“I was really pleased with the performance today," said Dean. “I thought we showed great belief and great confidence. I thought we were good on the football at times, but we made big mistakes which has cost us goals and unfortunately that has cost us the result today.
“Gibbo (Ben Gibson) knows he has made an error to start with (for the first goals) and then (Cristiano) Ronaldo has got across him for the corner as well, but in terms of that goal they shouldn't have got to the corner. Milot (Rashica) doesn't follow his man and they end up having a shot and a corner and then Gibbo unfortunately allows Ronaldo to get in front of him for the header.
“The resilience and spirt from the boys is there. They (the fans) can see we are fighting and unfortunately, we gave a soft free kick away and, I think, Tim (Krul) we believe that he probably could have saved it."
Having played well at Old Trafford and come from two goals down to level it was a tough result for the supporters and players to take.
“I feel for them," added Smith. “I am as disappointed as they are and as the supporters are as well, but they have shown an awful lot of spirit and fight and that is what is needed in the position that we are in. We can't change today, but we can take great belief from it and move forward to Newcastle at home next week and hopefully follow up the Burnley result and performance.
“We had great support in a big arena where there are 71,000 of the opposition and you could hear our fans. They could see we are fighting, and that is important for them.
“I think we are playing with more confidence at the moment. I think we have shown good control on the ball at times. I just feel we need to be a little bit better without the ball in our half. It is just those big mistakes that are costing us and it is tough to take."
