Norwich boss Paul Lambert admitted Arsenal's winner was really 'hurtful' in today's televised 2-1 Premier League defeat at Carrow Road.

Steve Morison fired City ahead but in form Dutchman Robin van Persie struck either side of the interval to maintain the Gunners' recent upward curve. The hosts were left to rue another individual defensive lapse when Russell Martin was robbed on half way before Alex Song fed van Persie to chip impudently over the advancing John Ruddy just before the hour mark.

'They are a right good side but the pleasing thing was we were always in the game,' said Lambert. 'You are never going to keep them out for 90 minutes, never. The thing that was probably the winning goal is the thing that hurts. Listen, you don't need me to sit here and say anything. Everybody saw it. Russell's general game was excellent but when you play against those type of players at this level you have to make as little mistakes as you can.

'I said to the lads beforehand just to try and get a foothold to stay in the game as long as you can. We did. Arsenal came at us really strong from the beginning but we got the goal which gave everybody belief - in the stadium and between the players that perhaps we could do something - so you have to give them a lot of credit. We were always in the game right up until the last minute.'