Advertisement

Grant Hanley: FA Cup victory matters more after Norwich were bullied by Burnley in the league

Grant Hanley, left, scored Norwich's opening goal  - REUTERS
Grant Hanley, left, scored Norwich's opening goal - REUTERS

Grant Hanley’s return to form, and Daniel Farke’s first team, was a key factor in Norwich beating Burnley and putting themselves within sight of a first sixth-round appearance in nearly three decades in the FA Cup.

Now the Scotland international defender is hoping that an extended Cup run can resuscitate his own season and help Norwich launch a concerted bid for Premier League survival in the process.

Hanley’s campaign started with an own goal at Liverpool seven minutes into Norwich’s opening game, continued with a near four-month absence due to a groin injury but has shown a recent upturn with his return to the side coinciding with improved league results and a goal at Turf Moor.

“I think we set our standards every day and it doesn't matter whether we're training or we're in the league or we're in the cup,” said Hanley.

“I think the biggest thing from today was probably we take confidence from the win but we also take confidence from the character we showed, because we played here in the league and it wasn't a nice experience.

“I don't want to say it, but you could say we maybe got bullied a bit, but I'd say today we showed up and we won our individual battles and we earned the right to play our football.”

Hanley’s goal was all the sweeter, given that he was booed throughout by Burnley supporters because of his connections with hated rivals Blackburn.

And manager Farke was certainly not under-estimating the fillip provided by Hanley’s return or the benefit that could come with advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1992.

“Grant is a great character and always a leader, even when he’s injured or on bench or not in the squad at all,” said Farke. "He’s an unbelievable player for me and a leader in the dressing room as well as the pitch.”

After Hanley’s opener, Josip Drmic doubled the lead before Erik Pieters claimed Burnley’s consolation. After league wins over Leicester and Manchester United last week, it was a disappointing afternoon for Burnley and defender James Tarkowski who remained philosophical.

“It’s been a really good week for us,” he said. “I know today is disappointing but to get six points from Leicester and United was massive for us.”