Teemu Pukki’s ‘world class’ assist should quieten his Norwich City critics for Daniel Farke.

The Finn’s lack of goals in the second part of the club’s Premier League relegation season saw him dropped for the first time in his freescoring City career.

Farke made it clear over the summer the prolific frontman remains a key part of his Championship battleplan.

Pukki was back on the goal trail during pre-season but unselfishly opted to square for Adam Idah to seal the win at Huddersfield with a simple tap in.

That one act underlined for Farke why the 30-year-old is a special talent.

“A world class assist says a lot about his character,” said Farke. “Teemu has been criticised for not scoring goals and then with a big chance to score to be that selfless and play the exact pass at the right moment so Adam has an easy tap in tells you everything.

“No other striker can have played more minutes in the last two years for club and country and you could see that tiredness maybe last season but I got the feeling he now looks fresh again.

“He also tried to find Adam later on when he could have had a shot.

“That says a lot about the team spirit of my boys. It was a win for team spirit and togetherness.

“I also had to praise the lads on the bench. When I see Alex (Tettey), Ben (Gibson) and Jordan (Hugill), all pretty experienced and not involved on this level, and I am pretty sure they would be delighted to play some minutes. Yet Jordan at the final whistle goes straight to Teemu to praise him for his assist and then to Adam to give him a hug. This is the mentality we need.”

City host Preston at Carrow Road this weekend, and Farke admitted ending a losing run with points at stake felt like a huge burden lifted.

“There is no replacement for winning games of football. To get back to winning ways, to have this winning feeling back in the dressing room. There is nothing like it,” he said. “I am delighted for the lads.

“It was important for them. We are working with a lot of young lads, a short pre-season and our preparations disrupted by the international period.

“A great way to start. I won’t over-interpret this result. It is the first of 46. If I could have painted a first game back in the Championship it would have been this.”