James Maddison was happy to be Derby County's pantomime villain – and even happier to help Norwich City earn the very minimum their Pride Park performance deserved.
Maddison's 72nd minute penalty ensured the Canaries picked up a 1-1 draw from the side that started the day second in the Championship.
However, that was just the headline of an eventful afternoon that saw Matej Vydra send the hosts into a 12th minute lead, before Nelson Oliveira had a first-half penalty saved – and Maddison's own spot kick came despite Moritz Leitner's 'goal' being pulled back for an initial foul in the box on Oliveira.
'We should've won that game,' admitted Maddison, whose first-half tumbled earned the Rams fans' wrath.
'It's a brilliant point away from home to second in the league, and we watched the clips on Derby – they are a very strong side, especially at home. They've got experience right through the squad and their side is so strong. It's an old, experienced Championship XI.
MORE: Gary Rowett makes his feelings clear on James Maddison as Derby are held by Norwich City
'So to come here and get a point, especially with the run they are on, just shows how well we're doing at the minute.
'I got booed but I don't know why. I got called a diver here and there, especially on the first penalty as well. I don't know if Scott Carson got interviewed, but he told me after that it was a penalty. So I think that tells a tale in itself.
'I get booed but that's fair game and the only way to shut them up is scoring – and thankfully I did that. If I'm getting booed, it means I'm doing my job.
'The type of player I am as well, I know I get a lot of treatment, tackles and stuff because Championship midfielders don't necessarily like a young lad coming in, taking the ball and turning.
'I get kicked and I fall over, and fans don't seem to like that because I win a lot of free kicks. But it's all part of the game, I love it and thrive off it.
'I've got to be careful about not being big-headed but I've got a strong character and I'm a strong-minded person. If people think booing is going to get me, that just strives me on even more and makes me play even better, so keep on booing.'
Norwich have now lost just once in 10 outings ahead of next Sunday's East Anglian derby visit from Ipswich Town – and will kick-off having arguably played one of their best 45 minutes of the season.
MORE: Norwich City supporters react to their side's 1-1 draw at Derby
'Potentially, yes – I don't know what the possession stats were but it felt like we had all the ball, and it was all in their half as well.
'We had Mo (Leinter) who slotted in midfielder and he just kept us ticking over. He's brilliant on the ball, and when you've got Alex Tettey as well who does the complete opposite, it's a really good balance and we were getting success higher up the pitch.
'We just can't seem to score more than one goal at the minute, but if we keep playing like that I'm sure they'll come.
'You come to place like this, have all the ball in their half and create chances like we did – I had a couple, Josh (Murphy) had a chance, Nelson had some chances and don't forget the missed penalty as well.
'So we should be happy with the performance, disappointed we didn't get three points but we move on.'
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