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Sky Bet Championship: Neil Adams proud of Norwich's display despite loss to Charlton

Image: Neil Adams: Proud of his players

Norwich manager Neil Adams admits he was bitterly disappointed to see his side go down to a late goal at home to Charlton, but refused to lay any blame on his "top class" players following the loss.

The Canaries were in charge for virtually the entire 90 minutes but failed to take their chances and were hit by a late sucker-punch as Johnnie Jackson's deflected 86th-minute shot settled the issue at Carrow Road.

Despite the loss, Norwich remained top of the Championship standings and Adams was proud of his team's performance in what he felt was a 'smash and grab' Charlton victory.

"I can't criticise the lads after that," said Adams.

"I would have been unhappy with a draw, so to have lost the game, well I am bitterly disappointed. The only thing we did wrong was not putting the ball in the back of the net, which we have been doing recently.

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Norwich remain top of the Sky Bet Championship despite a late Johnnie Jackson goal giving Charlton a 1-0 away victory.

"We dominated the game, created chances, got the ball behind them and got good crosses in. We also had a goal disallowed and a penalty appeal turned down. Someone said afterwards it was a smash and grab, and it certainly was that.

"The players were top class. They went about their business in the right away and they can hold their heads high after that. It was hard for us to take but we've just got to move on."

Adams felt his side were denied a clear penalty when the ball struck Andre Bikey's arm in the box.

"The ball was going in and their player's arm, which was outstretched, blocked it. To me it was a clear penalty. We just needed a break because if we had got one goal I am sure we would have won the game," he said.

Norwich will wonder how they failed to take all three points, let alone one, after dominating the match almost from start to finish.

The visitors defended well but there were no shortage of clear-cut chances for the Canaries, with the best of them arriving midway through the second half when it took a superb block from Bikey, and then a goalline clearance from Rhoys Wiggins, to deny Wes Hoolahan

City had plenty of other chances but the classic smash and grab raid that Adams talked about was completed five minutes from time when Jackson's long-distance shot took a wicked deflection to beat John Ruddy.

Charlton boss Bob Peeters was understandably delighted after seeing his side maintain their unbeaten start to the season and move up to seventh spot, two points behind Norwich.

"When we got in a half-time without conceding we knew they were under pressure and their crowd was getting frustrated. We just had to stick to our game plan and we knew the chances would come," he said.

"We defended very well and when we got a chance we took it, although I don't think it would have gone in without the deflection.

"To be unbeaten after 10 games is very good and I am pleased my players have been rewarded for all their hard work. It hasn't been easy for them with a lot of new players coming in, and a new manager as well, and they have done all we have asked of them."

Peeters was asked if he now considered his side to be genuine promotion contenders.

"I don't talk about promotion," he said. "At this stage it is all about getting points on the board. If we are still in this position in a few months' time we might other ambitions - but you can't compare a club with our budget to a club like Norwich."

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