Burnley boss Eddie Howe hailed Norwich City as the perfect role models after a painful close up of the Canaries in his side's FA Cup third round exit.

The Clarets' chief has guided his men to within three points of the Championship play-offs but Howe is looking no further than City's successful ascent to the Premier League to try and make a decisive push over the second half of the campaign.

The visitors looked lively in an opening burst that saw Jay Rodriguez halve the deficit following early headers from Grant Holt and Simeon Jackson, but Howe conceded Burnley were well beaten by the end with Andrew Surman and Steve Morison underling Norwich's superiority.

'I do think we have to look at Norwich as a role model to emulate,' he said. 'The success they have had coming from League One is credit to their manager and players and we have to hopefully follow a similar path. Their team spirit is something that really stands out. There are a lot of things to look at from our point of view that says, 'This is the route we want to take.'

'They are a good side and they have definitely improved the squad. They have good players, are really excelling in the Premier League now and they are getting some consistent results.

'They played their diamond and it's a difficult system to combat when they play it so well. Just looking at us we weren't at full strength and when you come to a Premier League ground I think you need to have your best team to have any chance. We definitely learnt from it and hopefully we'll have a good second half to the season.'

Howe felt justice was done when Holt erred from the penalty spot in the first period after Charlie Austin was adjudged to have handled Andrew Crofts' volley.

'I thought we started very well but then we conceded two poor goals from my point of view,' he said. 'We showed good character to get back in the game but the second half was difficult and when they got the third goal it was game over. But in the first half we were well in the game. We had good bits of possession and good chances. No, I didn't think it was a penalty.

'When they miss and the way we were going forward and creating chances you do think at that stage it might be our day, but second half we didn't get going and full credit to Norwich. I thought they dominated the ball and really it was a poor end to the game for us.'

Howe is confident a cup mauling at Carrow Road will not impact on Burnley's league campaign, saying: 'Norwich are a very, very good side. We competed as best but we have a lot to look forward to.'