Two-goal Canaries hero Grant Holt turned 19,000 Swansea jeers into a satisfying silence on Saturday – and would not have it any other way.

Some of the comments from the Norwich City's number nine on his Twitter account before kick-off had clearly worked the home faithful into a frenzy, as they directed plenty towards the Canaries' skipper in south Wales.

But one 47th-minute equaliser and what proved to be an excellent winner 16 minutes later and it was all silent at the Liberty Stadium – apart from the pocket of yellow and green supporters and their unbounded joy.

'It's absolutely huge,' said Holt. 'We talked a lot this week about when we came down here last year and the way we were after they scored and they won 3-0, and for a lot of us here it stuck in the back of our minds. So we had a point to prove. A lot of us were disappointed with last year and we put it to bed this year.

'We certainly did quieten them. I always get stick so it doesn't really matter. If people want to give me abuse I've got broad shoulders as you can see, so I can take it.

'I enjoy it, and that's football. I don't want to ever go to a game where no one says anything and it's just quiet and boring. But I'm sure those giving out the stick will all be a bit quieter this evening.

'I'm never popular wherever I go and I like that, I like getting abuse. One of my managers years ago told me the reason they shout at you and they don't like you is because you are doing something right. I'm big enough and old enough to take it. As long as I don't get at the young lads, I'll be fine.'

Both sides have come a long way since Norwich's defeat in south Wales in April and while Swansea's much praised passing style has won plenty of admirers, Holt hopes the style of City's win throws some of the praise their way.

'There were a few things said this week that we've turned into a long ball team, which is absolutely ridiculous,' said the City skipper. 'We play a certain way to beat a certain side and I think you could see that today from our tactics – the way we held them tight, changed to the diamond and tore them apart for 20 minutes.

'We have got a belief, we have got a desire and we have got a team spirit and that needs to be instilled by the manager – he is very clever at who he brings in and slots into this squad.

'We were happy with the first half. They had a lot of possession. It was a sloppy goal which we weren't happy with. We talked at half-time about being a bit higher up the pitch and more ruthless, and I thought once we got the first goal we looked comfortable for a good spell.

'We really went for them. When we did that we put them on the back foot and they didn't really know what had hit them for 20 minutes. It looked like every way we turned we were going to get in.

'We are a good side, we know that, and we've got players in this team that can cause anyone trouble and I think we showed that today. Obviously we were disappointed with the penalty, but we held on and did well.'

Holt saved his final praise for centre-back Elliott Ward – making his first appearance since a pre-season knee injury and producing not only a resolute defensive display, but a remarkable cross for Holt's equaliser.

'It was a great ball and he was absolutely fantastic for someone who has been out so long,' said Holt. 'You've got to play to the whistle – he'll say he meant that. It's absolutely massive and to do what he has done – being out injured and to come back, and he hasn't really played much reserve football. One game. And he comes into this, which is a tough place to come as anyone knows. I thought he was fantastic today.

'And another partnership with him and Russell Martin in the middle. Adam (Drury) got through his groin and Kyle (Naughton) could just about walk at the end and Leon (Barnett) comes on and does great. We have got a fantastic spirit and whoever plays the manager expects the best and he gets that.'