Norwich City won at Stoke for the first time since January 1997 courtesy of a first-half strike from Jonny Howson.

Chris Hughton’s side came into the match off the back of a 3-2 League Cup win over Watford, but had failed to win on the road in the league.

So in a game of very few chances there was much relief for the Canaries when Howson netted the only goal on 34 minutes, drilling a low right-footed shot past Asmir Begovic from 25 yards.

“Every win away from home is a big win, particularly for us who have found it more difficult away from home,” said Hughton. “But I don’t think there’s anybody that saw it who won’t think different than we throughly deserved it.”

The home side felt aggrieved just after the break when referee Anthony Taylor waved away a penalty claim after Kenwyne Jones was brought down by the impressive Leroy Fer.

“Yes, it’s a penalty,” Stoke boss Mark Hughes said. “But we’re not going to hide behind that missed decision.

“I think if we’re honest Norwich deserved to win today because we didn’t do enough.”