It may well prove to be that Norwich City's goal of the season was one of their last goals of the season – and Jonny Howson's first of the season – not that anyone is counting.

The midfielder's gorgeous curling effort topped off a move the City number eight started, being aided by his former Leeds colleague Luciano Becchio in the build-up.

But the finish was all Howson's, and a sign of the freedom City were able to play with as Sunday's win and with it Premier League survival came ever closer into sight.

'It's obviously a massive relief to do it with a game to spare,' said Howson. 'It's just nice how it's been done. The past couple of weeks we have been trying to get over the line and thankfully we've achieved that.

'The goal was just one of those where it's coming towards the end of the game and it just opened up for an effort on goal, and thankfully it's gone in.

'Obviously me and Luciano know each other from our past times at Leeds, and you know he's going to do that if you knock it into him. He can set that up for you, he can hold it up and bring others into play, and he's done that today. And I was pleased for him as well. When you are two or three up, it happens. We haven't had that for a while and going into the last 10 minutes, 3-0 ahead, you can sense you can bring players on.

'And especially with the atmosphere here today, which was top drawer. And West Brom maybe eased off a little bit, so you do have that little bit more freedom because realistically the game is done.'

Howson, 24, notched his first goal of the season in 28 league appearances – only his second for the club since his move from Elland Road 18 months ago. West Brom's hard work had arguably been done earlier in the season, but Howson felt that should not take anything away from what was a superb result – as well as performance – from Chris Hughton's men.

'You can understand why people see it from that point of view, but then you look at it on the other hand with the Swansea game in midweek at Wigan,' he said.

'Swansea had nothing to play for and Wigan had everything to play for, and you see that result. So going into the game you can't be thinking like that.

'We are all competitive at this level and when you've got good players, you want to win every game.'