The former England boss had only conceded once in his first three games but could only admire the visitors’ clinical edge.
The Robins spurned chances to add to their early first half lead from Sam Morsy, before Mo Toure’s hat-trick and Jose Cordoba’s header showed the Canaries’ ruthless side prior to Sam Bell’s late reply.
“There are moments now in our attacking play where it looks positive and it looks like we were on the way to doing something a bit more,” said the vastly-experienced Hodgson. “But with the attacking play it’s all about the last pass, the last control in the penalty area, the level of the cross.
“And I’ve got to say that’s where Norwich taught us a lesson, in terms of the quality of their finishing. The cross and the strike for the first goal, the counter-attack and the very good pass for the second goal, the very good header at the back post for the fourth goal.
“Your attacking moves are one thing, but for your moves to succeed and be regarded as good moves you need something at the end of them. We got two goals. We haven’t looked like scoring an awful lot of goals in the games before this one, and we got two created another three or four good chances.”
Hodgson was also full of praise for a packed away end at Ashton Gate, in answer to whether the hosts should give travelling teams the entire Atyeo Stand to fill.
“It was bad enough at Fulham, where at least half of one of the stands was for home supporters but Fulham’s a very small and very tight ground, and our fans wanted one particular end,” said the former Cottagers and Liverpool chief, who is on the road in midweek at red hot Southampton.
“Ideally you don’t want away fans to have an entire stand behind a goal, especially when you’re playing a team like Norwich, who bring such a massive support and such a vocal support as well. I mean they were behind their team all the way, even when they were losing in the first half. So congratulations to their support.
“First you meet Norwich on a run of one defeat in 10 or 11 games. I think it’s seven away games, six victories and one draw, and now we’re playing Southampton next. I think I’d have preferred to meet a less formidable opponent, but you get to play against who you’re told to play against them. We’ll be ready.”
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