The Canaries ended a four-game winless streak with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against the side bottom of the Barclays Premier League at Carrow Road.

Matt Jarvis had given Wolves a surprise lead, although Holt equalised a minute later and put City in front with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Norwich held out for victory despite being reduced to 10 men late on and now have a 14-point cushion over the drop zone, much to Lambert's delight.

"We're over the moon to win," Lambert said. "It is a massive win for us.

"I am delighted with the team. I am proud of them for what they have done.

"You have to win the game and I think we deserved it.

"Wolves are probably the same as Wigan - who we recently drew 1-1 with - in the sense of finding it easier to play away from home at the minute.

"Those teams are fighting for their lives so I knew it was really going to be a difficult game so I am delighted with the team.

"It takes a big effort to turn that around and to do it when we did was excellent.

"I thought some of the football in the first half was excellent. I really did.

"We passed it really well and they adapted to the different system of three at the back."

The shine was slightly taken off Norwich's victory in the 84th minute when Holt received his marching orders after collecting a second yellow card for a challenge on Michael Kightly.

Lambert was frustrated by referee Mark Clattenburg's decision to send off the striker, who he was quick to praise for his two first half strikes.

"The first goal I thought was a great finish because it is never easy when you see the whites of the goalkeeper's eyes coming at you," he said.

"It was a brilliant finish and with the penalty he held his nerve, which is great.

"For the sending off, I thought the first one was a foul against him so I don't know what the referee has done there.

"The second one I think Grant has won the ball but you run the risk when you go to ground when you have already been booked. I just think it was a harsh sending off."

There had been some confusion as to whether Holt had been given a straight red card or received two yellow cards, although Lambert reiterated it was the latter.

Asked whether he was aware the striker was already on a yellow, the Scot said: "I was not sure at first and then I heard somebody in the dugout area say, 'I think he has booked Grant'.

"As I said, I don't know why he did it or whatever. It was a sending off for two yellows."

Norwich have now all but staved off relegation back to the npower Championship, but today's result sees Wolves slip further into trouble.

The Black Country side languish bottom of the Premier League as the season edges towards a close, having lost four games on the bounce.

Wolves have now won just once in 16 league matches following today's tough encounter, which Terry Connor thought his side did well in despite the loss.

"It was a really good performance and we showed a real fighting spirit," he said.

"We showed everything you would want.

"We took the lead and I thought we were well worth something from the game today.

"It was awkward before [today's results] but next week we can re-address that as we play Bolton at home.

"If we put in the same determination, effort and spirit that we showed today, with a little more quality in the final third in terms of our crossing and shooting, then I think we will be ok.

"That would then put a different slant on the picture altogether."