Healy: Wins are expected

David Healy admits Northern Ireland's expectations have risen 'remarkably' following their Euro 2008 qualifying exploits.

A 2-1 win over Sweden at Windsor Park on Wednesday night took Lawrie Sanchez's side to the top of Group F.

It is a stunning turnaround in form for Northern Ireland, who started the campaign by losing 3-0 at home to Iceland.

Since that defeat, Spain have been vanquished, Denmark held away from home and now previous leaders Sweden have been beaten.

Healy's goals have been a key factor in the national team's rise and he is top scorer in the qualifying campaign with nine.

He grabbed both goals to see off Sweden and acknowledged that there is now a bigger weight of expectation on the Northern Ireland team.

"They were important goals not just for me, but the team," Healy told Sky Sports News.

"It puts us top of the group with a massive win. We expected not just a win, but a result tonight.

"We dug in, ground it out and ground them to a halt, and we got a deserved win.

"I think everybody is starting to expect them (wins). With the results, expectation has risen remarkably over the past couple of years, so long may it continue."