Norwich’s promotion push continues with three points at Barnsley

Norwich boss Paul Lambert saw Andrew Crofts brace give the Canaries a deserved 2-0 win at Barnsley.

And Lambert insisted that his side never looked in trouble against a Barnsley side enduring a five-game winless run.

"I thought we were on top from start to finish. It was a very good performance from us," he said.

"Andrew Crofts took his goals very well. He's shown all season that he can score goals from midfield. It was a piece of brilliance for his second goal.

"I thought the two centre-halves were colossal. They were excellent and hardly gave their strikers a look in. I know exactly what the players have done for me and how far we've come since I came to the club. I've got a target in my own mind for the rest of the season."

The Scot also praised keeper John Ruddy for making a couple of crucial stops.

"It was a top-class save from John Ruddy at a big moment in the game. If that had gone in, it would have given Barnsley hope," Lambert added.

Barnsley counterpart Mark Robins watched a poor performance from his players.

"It was a bad day at the office. We didn't perform and we made it easy for Norwich," he admitted.

"We didn't start the afternoon off brightly enough and we didn't cope with the conditions as well as they did.

“We conceded two goals that were poor from our point of view.

"Comparing that performance to how we played against Leeds in midweek was like chalk and cheese.

"We lost two players during the game and had to make one or two more shuffles, putting players in unfamiliar positions."