Norwich City manager Alex Neil has insisted that he was delighted with the performance of his players in their goalless draw with title-chasers Manchester City today.

The Canaries kept City's attacking threats at bay at Carrow Road to take them to 18th in the table, level on points with 17th-placed Sunderland with eight games of their season left to play.

"When we get to the end of the season we'll see how significant it is. In terms of effort and endeavour we couldn't have asked for any more," Neil told Sky Sports News afterwards. "In the first half we had some real good play, and in the second we started to fatigue a little bit because we put some much into that first half.

"This season there have been a lot of decisions we have made that have been the making of our own downfall. But the players managed this one really well, showed their experience right through the match, and it was a lot, lot better in terms of decision-making. It's really pleasing.

"The one thing we discussed with the squad is that we've got it in our own hands, with those two rivals in the relegation battle (Newcastle United and Sunderland) having to come here. If we put on a real strong performance and win those two games, it gives us a strong place to go from."

Today's result means that Norwich are now winless in the league in ten games, a run that has included eight defeats.