Robin Sainty on Norwich against West Brom and Plymouth

As it turns out, the game itself seemed like a watershed for a City squad who had appeared to be running on fumes before the break, but could at last start to welcome back a few players from the injury list.

Conceding a goal after 11 minutes was hardly the start that Johannes Hoff Thorup would have wanted, but thereafter City showed both grit and composure as they grew into the game.

I thought that Emiliano Marcondes, in a deeper role than against Bristol City, produced his best performance yet in a City shirt and took his goal superbly, having absolutely bust a gut to get to the near post ahead of his marker, an example that some of his team-mates could learn from.

Having looked very disjointed against Bristol, City’s midfield looked much more solid against Albion, and the Canaries, after an even first half, looked the more creative side after half-time.

That was reflected in the near silence from the home support in the face of the constant wave of noise from the away end as the travelling fans started to share the self-belief that was visibly coursing through the players on the pitch.

The goals conceded were a concern, however, with some very poor marking, but after half-time the City back four looked more and more assured and it was good to see Callum Doyle and Shane Duffy getting back to the standards that they had set earlier in the season.

Callum Doyle - better at centre back? (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

I am firmly convinced that Doyle is more effective at centre back than left back and that could mean a battle for Jose Cordoba once he’s fit again.

As good as the performance was, it needed to be backed up against Plymouth, particularly with Kenny McLean returning to the side, and City delivered in style.

I’ve read a lot about how poor the Pilgrims were, but you can only beat what’s in front of you and the Canaries produced some stunning moves, even if they were somewhat profligate in front of goal.

The game will hopefully prove to be a turning point for Ante Crnac, who had been ineffective at West Brom but looked like a completely different player on Tuesday night, leading the line and creating chances as well as spearheading a press that saw Plymouth defenders desperately dumping the ball off to each other.

He thoroughly deserved his goal and the combination of his movement, the vision and athleticism of Marcondes in the number 10 role, and Borja Sainz, enjoying the form of his life, made for a potent City attack.

The reaction of the crowd and his team-mates to Crnac’s goal showed that so many are desperate to see him succeed and if he can build on Tuesday night’s performance and become a significant goal threat himself, it will make Sainz even more of a nightmare for opposing defences who won’t be able to simply concentrate on stopping him.

Of course, the performance wasn’t perfect as some sloppy passing once again reared its head, but that can happen when a side is so totally dominant. Nevertheless, it’s something that Thorup will want to stamp out going forward.

It may have been City’s first win in eight games, but the utter mayhem that is the Championship means that they ended the game just five points off the play-off places, having been a point off them before embarking on that run of four points out of a possible 21.

It’s been a torrid time with the glut of injuries, but there really is still all to play for, and with upcoming fixtures against struggling sides and players returning to full fitness, Thorup’s squad have their destiny very much in their own hands.