Lions' defeat is good news for Canaries

Published: 10:33 AM April 17, 2010 Updated: 10:57 PM October 10, 2020

Huddersfield Town skipper Peter Clarke was a hugely popular man with Norwich City fans last night after scoring the goal that put Paul Lambert's men within one victory of promotion to the Championship.

Clarke headed a 39th minute winner for the Terriers in their televised League One match against third-placed Millwall at the Galpharm Stadium - and Town's 1-0 success meant the Canaries were in the position to effectively clinch a top two place if they could beat Charlton at The Valley this afternoon.

City went to Charlton knowing victory would take them to 89 points, out of reach of all but second-placed Leeds and possibly Swindon, but with the Robins' goal difference overnight 22 goals worse than the leaders it is a virtually impossible gap to close - even if they won all four of their remaining games.

So the result was a big favour for the Canaries from their former assistant manager, Huddersfield boss Lee Clark, who was delighted to open up a gap of six points over seventh-placed Colchester.

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“It was a huge win because there are only four games left and it puts a bit of a gap between us and Colchester, and other teams below them as well,” said Clark.

“Against Norwich twice, Charlton at The Valley and Swindon here, we've performed very, very well and never got what we deserved in those games - Leeds twice also - so it wasn't a concern for me. I knew my players could perform against the big sides.

“ In fact they've performed better against the top sides but haven't had the bit of luck to get results. But tonight it was a magnificent performance when you put into context the situation and the opposition. My lads have shown every characteristic that's needed to get good results.”

Skipper Clarke, who headed the winner from Danny Drinkwater's corner, said: “The result now gives the others something to think about, and puts a little bit of pressure on their games.”