Tim Krul was thrilled to play a big part in Norwich City’s 1-0 win over Swansea but was also quick to hail a ‘captain’s performance’ from Grant Hanley, after a second successive clean sheet.

The Dutch international denied Swans forward Jamal Lowe on three occasions as well as striker Andre Ayew, who also hit the post in the first half, prior to fine work from substitute Bali Mumba to find Emi Buendia in the box in the 84th minute, who teed up Marco Stiepermann for the winner.

It was a game between two good teams which featured a combined 40 attempts on goal, five of which were on target for each side, featuring a host of fine defensive blocks - but ultimately it was Norwich extending their unbeaten run to seven games and moving up to third place in the Championship table.

“The games are coming thick and fast but it’s even sweeter when the results go for you, like they are at the moment,” said Krul.

“So a happy changing room and still I think we’ve got a couple of gears to step it up as well, so that is definitely the big positive, that we know we can make games even easier for ourselves.”

The Canaries have only conceded one goal from a set-piece so far this season - Wayne Rooney’s late free-kick winner for Derby - and Krul and his defenders are desperate to continue that improvement.

“They had a big chance hit the post, so it’s nice that a bit of luck goes for us as well this year, because last year obviously everything went in, I don’t think there was any luck like that,” he continued.

“So it’s nice to walk off the pitch with three points, a clean sheet – and Grant Hanley I have to mention him today because his blocks were immense.

“For him to play seven games in a row like he has, after such a long time out, he showed a captain’s performance.”

Asked if Swansea were the best time City had faced so far this season, Krul said: “I think so. They’ve got top quality players, Ayew is dangerous, he can tuck in and bend it top corner any time.

“Grant was amazing, Zimbo (Christoph Zimmermann) to see him back after a while and put in such great passes, diagonally.

“We kept on pushing and I’m pleased it’s fell for us because, obviously a 0-0 on Tuesday against Millwall, it would have been disappointing not to get a win this week.”

The introduction of Mumba for Jacob Sorensen at left-back in the 68th minute proved an inspired decision from Daniel Farke, as the youngster immediately provided an attacking outlet with some forward raids, as he made his Carrow Road debut.

“I’m excited about him, the moment he walked in I saw he was a top, top talent,” the former Newcastle number one said of the 19-year-old summer signing from Sunderland.

“But that just shows you that these boys are showing it in training, we’re not surprised to see that, they are showing it every day and working hard behind the scenes.

“Especially him who, even though he hasn’t been in the squads many times, he’s been in the gym and for such a young age, I wasn’t doing that!

“So to see that is amazing because he’s putting in the hours at the gym and it’s paying off.”