Gary O'Neil's sending off for Norwich changed game, says Stoke boss Mark Hughes

Stoke boss Mark Hughes said Gary O'Neil's sending off changed the game as his side beat Norwich 3-1 in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

The Canaries played for more than an hour with 10 men, after O'Neil flew in with a dangerous tackle on Ibrahim Afellay and was shown a straight red for his troubles. 

All four goals came in the second half, with Jon Walters putting Stoke ahead just three minutes after the restart, but Jonny Howson produced a stunning equaliser to get Norwich back in the game.

But Alex Neil's men could not keep their in-form hosts out for long, with Joselu and a Ryan Bennett own goal sealing a third win in four Premier League games. 

"Obviously the game changed after the sending off. Norwich will feel from that point on it was going to be difficult," Hughes told Sky Sports after the game.

"We got ourselves in front and they got back on terms with a fantastic strike. At 1-1, we huffed and puffed a bit but always felt like we had enough and we were going to create chances.

"It was going to be difficult going down to 10 men but fair play to Norwich, they kept a good shape and looked to break quickly. They got a lot of pace on as well so we had be careful of that.

"Sometimes it's harder to play against 10 men than the full complement and at times we found it a bit difficult to break them down, but in the end we got a great goal from Joselu, who really stands to have an impression on the Premier League now.  

"Every game he plays in, he's either assisting for scoring so we're really happy with what he's producing at the moment. Another goal will do him the world of good.

"It's a good three points for us. At the moment, results are going for us so it's a good night."

Stoke have now moved up to seventh in the Premier League table - three points off fifth place - and are currently in the middle of a Capital One Cup semi-final tie, as well as making the fourth round of the FA Cup at the weekend.

"We're doing OK at the moment," added Hughes. "We didn't play as well as we know we can tonight. It's good to get maximum points when you know you're not scaling the heights that you know the ability of the squad can get you to. 

"Overall, we're pleased and we continue to pick up good points. We're consistent and if we continue in this run, then who knows where we can get to? We have to keep in touch with the teams in front and if we do that, come March or April, we'll see how close we can get."

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The Potters are live on Sky Sports this weekend as they welcome top-of-the-table Arsenal to the Britannia, and will be full of confidence heading into the tie. 

"Momentum is always good. We've got two home games back to back and the key for us was to win this one and face Arsenal at the weekend in good heart and that's what happened.

"We always have good home games against Arsenal and we're looking to challenge them so we're looking forward to it."

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