Mowbray delighted with Norwich win

With the business end of the season now upon us Tony Mowbray admitted yesterday's performance at Norwich was all about winning three points. The Baggies boss has stuck to his football philosophies throughout the majority of the season focusing mainly on the positives of losing performances, but yesterday admitted: "We're at the stage of the season where it's all about results and we're pleased."

The league leaders got off to the perfect start at Carrow Road yesterday with Robert Koren putting the visitors into the lead after only 90 seconds after City 'keeper David Marshall had saved from both Kevin Phillips and Roman Bednar. Although dominating the opening 30-minutes of the match Albion had to wait until the 71^st minute before extending their advantage with Zoltan Gera scoring for the second successive game with an unstoppable 25-yard drive.

Norwich were given a lifeline just minutes later when Leon Barnett was adjudged to have handled in the area with Chad Evans making no mistakes from the spot; and despite putting the Baggies under pressure in the closing stages, could not find an equaliser with Albion's rear-guard staying defiant.

"It became a bit more difficult than we'd have liked in the end," said Mowbray.

"The game could have been over in the first 25 minutes if we'd taken the opportunities that came along.

"It was our sixth game in 18 days and that showed in the second half.

"Credit to Norwich because they needed a result and came and had a go.

"They asked lots of questions of us in the last half-an-hour."

Albion looked to be cruising to extending their unbeaten run on their travels to eight games before referee Iain Williamson award Norwich a dubious penalty, a decision which amazed Mowbray.

"We had an unusual penalty given against us which added a bit of pressure," the Baggies boss added.

"The situation could have been a lot lighter had it stayed 2-0.

"It was an amazing decision really but there you go.

"How a linesman can overrule a referee from 70 yards away, I'll never know!"

After Albion had weathered Norwich's late storm a number of players celebrated in front of the 2,400 strong visiting fans to show their appreciation for another fantastic backing from 'boinging' Baggies fans.

"It's important to show the fans that make the journey, and come with expectations and hopes, that the players have the same expectations and hopes," Mowbray said.

"And when you get three points it is important that the spectators and players have got a unity and celebrate good victories.

"I've got no problem with celebrations on the pitch after the game but the job isn't finished and it's very, very important we prepare properly for the Southampton game at home on Monday week."