Bradley Johnson's first-half header was all that separated the teams in a fiercely contested Premier League encounter at Carrow Road.

Hughton was pleased his side had something to show for their determined effort.

"It was very hard fought," he told Sky Sports. "Stoke are an excellent side, you can see that. They do what they do very well and they have quality in their team. You look at their bench at the players they can bring on, so this was a tough game.

"We went through games where we played well and didn't get points. Now we have tightened up a bit and we are not conceding goals"

"These are close games, we can't afford to be short of what we have given, because quality in this league means have to fight and earn points."

Stoke counterpart Tony Pulis felt his side were on the wrong end of some questionable refereeing, particularly in the lead up to Johnson's goal.

"It's very disappointing," Pulis said. "For the goal it is a free-kick on Charlie (Adam), and then down the other end their lad just falls over and is given a free-kick.

"There was a similar incident in the first half where Charlie is pushed in the back, and the referee has actually given them a free-kick and booked Charlie.

"It's very, very disappointing. Sometimes, because it is Stoke City,  there is a perception about us. He has got decisions wrong."