Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said he was “absolutely delighted” after his side beat Norwich City yesterday and described their performance as “without fault”.
The Bees recorded their third consecutive Sky Bet Championship victory by beating Norwich at Carrow Road.
Jota opened the scoring after a first 20 minutes Brentford dominated but Norwich hit back and quickly levelled.
Brentford maintained the upper hand and Alex Pritchard scored the winner from the penalty spot in the second half.
Mark hailed the positivity of his side against a Norwich team just outside the Championship Play-Offs and newly relegated from the Premier League.
“I am absolutely delighted with the win,” he said after the match.
“This is a tough place to come and I sensed some trepidation from the fans.
“They were in the Premier League last year and have a very talented squad.
“From the first whistle we were positive; we were on the front foot and started really well.
“We moved the ball and the crowd were quiet.
“They had one shot and got a goal, which I didn’t think they deserved.
“At half time it would have been easy to sit back but we were positive again from kick-off and maintained it.
“I was delighted with the players all around the park.
“We were without fault as a team.
“I am delighted for the squad.”
Mark said his team played with real energy to combat a Norwich side looking to maintain a high tempo.
He said his players gave their all to get the win.
“All the comments from the management beforehand were about energy, tempo, winning the ball,” said Mark.
“I thought we responded very well to that.
“We played with real energy.
“I am sure at half time they would have talked about coming out hard and fast, we had to step up.
“It wouldn’t have been enough to maintain our energy level, we had to go up a level, and we did,
“And when we had to again, we had another gear.
“I am delighted with that.
“The players gave everything they had.
“It speaks volumes about the character in the dressing room.”
Brentford could have been ahead inside a minute when Andre Gray went through one-on-one but a nasty bobble caused him to miss.
Other chances came and went before a Moses Odubajo break allowed Gray to set Jota up to score.
“You have to be concerned if you miss chances,” said Mark.
“Goals change games.
“Andre missed the chance but it didn’t faze him, he kept going.
“There is a lot more to come from him.
“We were shocked by the pitch but they focussed, took care of the ball.
“It was really bobbly but I was pleased with how we dealt with it.”
Norwich levelled when, following a half cleared corner, a Nathan Redmond shot deflected in but Brentford took the initiative again.
They were awarded a penalty when two defenders – Carlos Cuellar and Michael Turner – both tackled Gray from behind and Pritchard converted it.
The game at Griffin Park had swung on another decision in Norwich’s penalty area when Pritchard was hacked down but nothing was given.
Norwich went straight down the other end to score a second goal and ended up winning 3-0.
“It may have been a soft penalty but we deserved it,” said Mark.
“In the first fixture a penalty not given was a game-changing moment.
“What goes around comes around.
“Today we got the reward and Pritch put it away magnificently.
“We then went for the third and could have got it.
“I am delighted.”
Norwich had won two in a row under new boss Alex Neil before taking on The Bees.
They started the day only three points behind Brentford, who are now only two points from the top of the Sky Bet Championship themselves.
“Norwich have had a couple of good results and have a new manager,” said Mark.
“They have a talented squad.
“We have come here knowing if we lost Norwich would go ahead of us in the table.
“Now there are six points behind us.
“The only thing that can stop these players is belief.
“We were playing Gillingham this time last season, who we play this time next year is up to the players.”
Brentford’s next match is against Middlesbrough, who are currently second and will come to Griffin Park on the back of beating Manchester City in the FA Cup.
The Bees were beaten 4-0 on Teesside in the reverse fixture.
“We are looking forward to Saturday,” said Mark.
“They are a very talented team with an experienced manager.
“They have some outstanding players.
“We have had one bad half of football this season, at Middlesbrough in the second half.
“It is up to us to try and correct that.
“We have to try and impose ourselves and if we do that we will be OK.”
Full post-match reaction from Mark Warburton is available here for Bees Player subscribers.