Borja Sainz beamed with pride after registering his first career hat-trick in Norwich City's 3-2 victory over Derby County.
The Spaniard became the first City player to net three goals in a single game since Teemu Pukki's hat-trick in their 7-0 demolition over Huddersfield in April 2021 and the first to achieve it in a league game away from home since James Maddison against Hull in March 2018.
Sainz's goals proved to be enough to fire City to a statement victory over a Derby side that had been unbeaten at Pride Park for nine games, the last seven without conceding a goal.
In his first post-match interview since joining City last year, Sainz was quick to dedicate his goals to colleague Josh Sargent, his team-mates and family, as well as discussing the controversy around his opener, which was awarded despite the ball being out of play.
"I am very happy," Sainz reflected. "First, I must say thank you to Josh [Sargent] and the rest of my team-mates. I have never scored one hat-trick before. This is my first one.
"This hat-trick is for my family and my girlfriend because she supports me every time. It's for my father, and I'm happy for him and me. Family is important to me and is the best. It's the first one in my life, and I like it.
"I haven't seen [the ball go out of play], but I went to the goal, took it and didn't see anything. It was given as a goal, so I had to continue. There is no VAR here, and it's the Championship, so that is good. I don't know, but today it was good for me."
City's win at Pride Park backed up their impressive victory over Watford last weekend and means Johannes Hoff Thorup's men have taken nine points from a possible 12.
Sainz felt City got the blend between physicality and technicality correct against a robust Derby side.
"It's a difficult game but the team did the same as last week. It was a great performance against Watford, and today, you see the same. We won in a difficult stadium," the Spaniard reflected.
It was physical, but sometimes I think you need to be both physical and technical. The team played good and it's about balance. I'm happy for the team, the manager and it was a good day."
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