Chris Lakey Paul Lambert hailed the contribution of his Captain Fantastic after City and their supporters made it a home from home outing to west Yorkshire. Around 3,000 Canaries fans packed into The Galpharm Stadium and witnessed a spectacular example of the art of the centre forward's role by Holt.

Chris Lakey

Paul Lambert hailed the contribution of his Captain Fantastic after City and their supporters made it a home from home outing to west Yorkshire.

Around 3,000 Canaries fans packed into The Galpharm Stadium and witnessed a spectacular example of the art of the centre forward's role by Holt.

Not content with scoring what Lambert described as a “monumental” equaliser, Holt then played crucial roles in the two goals bagged by super sub Stephen Elliott as City became the first team to win at Huddersfield this season.

“He has got a huge desire to get into the box and it's a lovely ball from Wes (Hoolahan) to cut it back for him and Grant gets to the front post - terrific finish,” said Lambert.

“He is back to his best, back to his best - terrific centre forward play no doubt.”

Holt's goals have been crucial, of course, but bringing on a quality player like Elliott is a massive bonus at this stage of the season.

“It was there for everybody to see,” said Lambert. “He is a natural player - nine caps for the Republic of Ireland means you are not too bad a player in that sort of company.

“I am absolutely delighted with his contribution - it's never easy to come into a side which is going as well as what we are and dislodge anybody but again I thought he was outstanding when he came on.”

Huddersfield went ahead inside three minutes, but Holt struck on 69 minutes and Elliott wrapped it up on 74 and 85 minutes - three goals which were all the result of excellent moves.

To be fair to Lambert, while he praised his goalscorers, he was quick to point out the team effort.

“I thought we were brilliant,” he said.

“It took us about 10, 15 minutes to get going. Huddersfield were out of the traps very, very quickly.

“We lost a goal in the first minute or so, but I thought after the first 10, 15 minutes we started to get into the game, started to get on the ball and looked more in it ourselves - and the second half I thought we were outstanding.”

It wasn't the start anyone wanted as Neal Trotman, who played under Lambert at Colchester last year, headed in at the near post from Anthony Pilkington's corner.

“You always are (worried), when you lose a goal as early as that, you always are, but the lads showed great character never to wilt and kept on going and saw it through,” said Lambert.

“It's a hard place to come, they've not been beat here all season so I'm absolutely delighted I am proud of what they have done and the way they played, they were outstanding,

“We have got lads that can score. Steve Elliott came in, everybody saw his pace, what he's got, two marvellous goals.

“Grant's goal was monumental because the goal got us back into the game.

“Darel Russell came in and I thought he was outstanding. I am absolutely delighted - every one of them was brilliant.”

Lambert admitted it had been a difficult decision to bring in Russell after a three-match ban at the expense of Anthony McNamee.

“Macca has been playing on top of his game,” he said.

“I think Rusty has been pivotal to why we have got this far and I thought as the game grew he grew with it and I thought he was outstanding again.”

Victory, coupled with Leeds' defeat at Southampton, leaves City seven points clear at the top, with 12 points separating them from third-placed Charlton, who lost 4-0 at Millwall.

But Lambert drew the line when it came to talking about the league title or promotion.

“That's for other people to say,” he said.

“I know what I've got in the dressing room, I know what the lads have got.

“I've got a terrific fan base at my back that drives the players on. The players and the fans are the most important people at this club.

“We can only look at our own house really.

“There is no point in not getting our own house in order and relying on other teams, but our own house at this moment is in order, we are playing really well at this minute, the crowd are with us, which is a major help to us, but I have got to say I thought the performance was outstanding.”