Charlton chief Phil Parkinson congratulated hero Fraser Forster and his Norwich team-mates on winning promotion after City’s 1-0 success at the Valley sealed their Championship return.
He was, however, left gobsmacked at the final outcome after the Addicks threw everything at Paul Lambert’s men in the second-half.
But Michael Nelson’s 34th minute header from Simon Lappin’s corner was enough, even if the Canaries had their outstanding goalkeeper to thank, with the loanee in stunning form to keep the hosts at bay.
“Forster was tremendous. He put in a great performance for them and well done to Norwich for getting promotion,” said Parkinson in his post-match press conference.
“But in terms of our performance, we were excellent. It was as good as we’ve played in a long while. I thought we played well in the first-half and Bails [Nicky Bailey] has had two or three great chances and we couldn’t have done much more.
“In the second-half, we threw everything we possibly could at Norwich. We changed it round with substitutes and we threw Sam Sodje up front.
“We just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. But in terms of the performance, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
“They’ve had one shot but their goalkeeper has performed very, very well and he’s probably one of the main reasons why they have gone up.”
To be fair to the promoted Canaries – doesn’t that sound good? – it was a courageous performance and every man put in a shift. But they did spend the entire second period camped in their own half, with Addicks goalkeeper Darren Randolph a virtual spectator.
But Forster was an immovable object, with Bailey, Deon Burton and plenty of others unable to find a way past the 6ft 6in shot-stopper, whose star is rising with every passing week.
“At half-time we said we were doing a lot of good things,” continued Parkinson, who will still harbour hopes of joining City in the second tier after Leeds, Millwall and Swindon all slipped up at the weekend.
“We were passing the ball well, competing and being positive. In terms of belief, being on the front foot and having a real go, I thought we did everything we possibly could.
“Norwich came with a solid 4-4-2. We were disappointed to concede a goal from a corner but, as I’ve said, I couldn’t have asked for anything more from the lads.
“We will keep going. It’s all there to play for still. Seeing no one else at the top has won, apart from Norwich, gives you a lift.
“I’m sure when I’m driving home though, I’ll be thinking about what might have been if we’d got the result today. I thought we deserved to win it.
“The lads are down but we’ve said to them if they play like that again over the next three games, then we’ll give ourselves a great chance. We had a real go today and I think the reaction from our supporters said it all.”
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