Striker Steve Morison was lauded by manager Paul Lambert for a lion-hearted display that helped set up Norwich City's third victory in four Premier League games.

Morison set up the opening goal for Anthony Pilkington in the first minute of City's 3-1 win over Swansea City, and gave the Welsh club's defence a thoroughly uncomfortable afternoon before departing with cramp midway through the second half, to be replaced by Grant Holt, the man he is currently keeping out of the starting line-up.

'I thought that was as good a No 9 play as I've seen in a long time, I really do. Holty's played some really big games for us and that's definitely up there with them. I thought Moro was exceptional,' said Lambert.

The City boss kept faith with summer signing Morison – who through lack of alternatives actually wears No 5 – after he had played twice for Wales while the rest of his starting eleven had a two-week break from action.

Said Lambert: 'I thought he was a major player today. I thought he was a handful all afternoon. He had a really strenuous week with the international team, but his contribution has been huge. The knock-back for the first goal was terrific. I think it was a little touch of cramp when he went off, so we'll see how he is.'

Winger Anthony Pilkington was also praised by his boss for bouncing back from missed chances in the 2-0 defeat at Manchester United a fortnight earlier with two of City's three goals against the Swans.

'I think in the last third of the football pitch the lads have got to have the freedom to go and express themselves. I never criticise somebody for going to try something in the last third of the pitch,' said Lambert.

'Pilkington, what he delivers with a football on either foot is excellent and to get two goals after a horrendous leg break and what happened at Old Trafford, he'll be delighted with that.

'I just spoke to him the way I do everybody in training – just told him to keep playing the way he is. Going to Old Trafford, the way he played was excellent. It just needed that goal. But to come back and do it in front of your own fans, maybe there was just a little bit of pressure on him from a fortnight ago, and to respond the way he did I thought was terrific.'