Norwich City boss Dean Smith reveals key to dumping Wolves out of the FA Cup

Norwich City boss Dean Smith says that winning the midfield battle was the key to victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.

The Canaries, who are 18 points behind Wolves in the Premier League table, upset the odds at Molineux thanks to a Kenny McLean goal in the first half.

The hosts should have gone behind earlier as Adam Idah had two good opportunities saved by former Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy, but were made to pay for a poor first 45 minutes just before the interval.

Seconds before the half-time whistle was due to be blown, Chelsea loanee Billy Gilmour fired in a free-kick towards McLean, who flicked the ball over the 'keeper to put the Norfolk outfit ahead ahead.

Wolves were better in attack after the break, but they couldn't find a way back into this tie as Bruno Lage's men were knocked out of the FA Cup in disappointing fashion.

Afterwards Smith said that his defence put in a gritty performance, but it was how his side performed in the middle of the park that made all the difference on the day.

"I was pleased with the midfield," the former Aston Villa manager said in his post-match press conference. "In the first-half, we made Wolves go around us and not play through us."

He added: "It was a hard-fought win. We showed lots of steel and grit in terms of how we defended.

"I wasn't quite happy with the first ten minutes of the second-half. I think we presented them a few opportunities to win the ball back on the edge of our box and it caused a few flutters.

"But it was a really good performance from the players today. I thought on the counter we looked a real threat and we created some really good chances in the game.

"It's always nice to see a set piece go