Norwich boss Peter Grant saluted his 'maverick' match winner Darren Huckerby after the flyer's Carrow Road wonder-goal last night sunk Championship title favourites Birmingham.

Norwich boss Peter Grant saluted his 'maverick' match winner Darren Huckerby after the flyer's Carrow Road wonder-goal sunk Championship title favourites Birmingham.

Huckerby glided past four Blues' defenders after racing from his own half to fire City ahead 90 seconds into the second period.

The Canaries then withstood a late onslaught to record a notable league double over Steve Bruce's Premiership pretenders.

“He's a special talent - a bit of a maverick,” said Grant. “He is always capable of producing moments of magic. Darren can frustrate the life out of me and he has done but he's probably the only player on the pitch who was capable producing that.

“It was a wonderful finish. He's been terrific in this recent period when I've played him in different positions because of the injuries.

“He has had an effect wherever we've asked him to play. That is all I ask - I want him in an area of the pitch where he can affect the opposition when we win the ball back.

“He's got the freedom of Norwich to do that. I don't want him defending and never have done since I came here.

“With the likes of Darren, Robert Earnshaw and Chrissy Martin we've got more match-winners than most.

“I was delighted for the lads. I was critical of them for a number of reasons against Derby and Cardiff. Hopefully they've learned a lesson.”

Grant also reserved special praise for City's raucous support in the nerve jangling finale.

“The backing they gave us was worth two players - not just one,” he insisted. “I'm delighted for them that they got their just rewards. The support at this club is phenomenal. That is not me trying to curry favour - people know I'm not like that.

“The numbers who turn up, week in, week out, is unbelievable. I look at Birmingham's support and know what our mob would be like if we were top of the league.

“It's easy to support when things are going well. What they gave us in the final period was critical. It was a massive, massive plus.

“That surge, that energy you get when legs and minds are tired. You can't underestimate the backing. It was one of the reasons that attracted me back to this club and the Championship.”