Lambert: ´We´ve earned the right to play in this league´

Norwich boss Paul Lambert believes his side came of age in their 2-1 win over Bolton – their first victory since their return to the Premier League.

Anthony Pilkington opening the scoring for Norwich at Reebok Stadium before Bradley Johnson doubled the Canaries’ lead just moments later with a header and although Martin Petrov scored a penalty for the hosts, Lambert’s men held on for the win.

The Scot was full of praise for his team, and said his players had earned the right to be playing under the spotlights of the English Premier League.

“I thought we played really well, I thought we deserved to win the game and I’m delighted with the lads,” Lambert said.

“I’ve not found a problem with confidence with them, they seem to bounce back every week and it’s a testament to themselves and the way they play the game.”

“I think every game is really hard.”

“I think the Premiership is really unforgiving in the short time we’ve been up here, but the performance levels have been excellent.”

“I think the three teams that have come up have done really good, I think they’re more than capable of holding their own in certain games.”

“Next game for us is Sunderland at home and then we’ve got that easy tie at Old Trafford.”

“But we’ve earned the right to play, that’s the difference, we’ve earned the right to play in this league, this environment.”

Bolton boss Owen Coyle said he was concerned with his team’s defending, describing the loss to Norwich as ‘self-inflicted’.

“I’m disappointed to have lost the game at home today,” Coyle said. “I think we know we were going to have a tough start, that happens to teams at this level.”

“But my concern is when we concede soft goals, which we did last week and we did it today. You can beat two or three men and hit one from 25 yards, but this is self-inflicted.”

“Take nothing away from Norwich, they’ve come here with a game plan in mind, but to concede the goals we did from two set-plays certainly wasn’t good enough.”