Brendan Rodgers was an unlikely ally in the should-he or shouldn't-he debate over Canaries 'keeper John Ruddy. Ruddy saw yellow after bringing down Scott Sinclair and conceding a late penalty - but referee Phil Crossley opted to show just a yellow card, deciding that the Swans' winger had pushed the ball too far past the 'keeper for him to have denied a clear scoring chance.

Brendan Rodgers was an unlikely ally in the should-he or shouldn't-he debate over Canaries 'keeper John Ruddy.

Ruddy saw yellow after bringing down Scott Sinclair and conceding a late penalty - but referee Phil Crossley opted to show just a yellow card, deciding that the Swans' winger had pushed the ball too far past the 'keeper for him to have denied a clear scoring chance.

It was a big decision and one that many officials might not have made, but the Swansea manager was generous and philosophical in defeat.

“I am maybe just a wee bit old school, but I think that when there's a penalty the 'keeper should stay on and you get your reward - simple,” he said. “It was a terrific pass, good build-up to the opportunity, and Scotty who showed his pace and quality throughout the game, got in and it's a big chance for us.”

Ruddy produced a fine save to tip David Cotterill's spot kick on to the post, with City claiming the points with two late strikes - and Rodgers left to consider his side's lack of a cutting edge.

“David is a terrific penalty taker and I put it down to a really good save,” he said. “Whether he (Ruddy) should be on the pitch or not - the rules say he should be off, but for me I am just one where I think you get your reward with the penalty. We had our penalty and we didn't take the opportunity and to then go on and lose the game 2-0 is disappointing.

“I thought performance-wise we were very, very good. It is obviously very disappointing to lose so late in the game.

“I thought apart from the first 10, 15 minutes when their shape gave us a problem, after that I thought we had good control and some of our passing and movement was outstanding.

“We were creating chances, we just failed to take them and it obviously hurts when you have a penalty in the last 10 minutes and you don't take it and then concede at the other end. I really felt for them because they are so honest and hungry and it was hard to take. The feeling in the dressing room was one of disbelief. But as much as you look to win games, that's what I'm here to do, I am about performances as well and anyone watching that game would have seen a team causing real problems.

“Last week was fantastic, this was very, very good - but we didn't get the result.

“Sometimes that will happen when you play this way but it is still a step forward.”