Norwich City boss Paul Lambert hails 'dream' points haul

Norwich City boss Paul Lambert has said his side have pulled off a "phenomenal" achievement in compiling 40 Premier League points with six games remaining.

The Canaries, who were playing in League One two seasons ago, twice came from behind to rescue a draw against Everton on Saturday.

"It is phenomenal. Over two years ago we were virtually bottom of League One," said Lambert.

"The magnitude of what has happened here we could only dream of."

The stalemate with the Toffees was enough to take Norwich to the points total widely perceived as the benchmark for top-fight survival.

It also lifted the Norfolk club to 11th, 12 points clear of Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League's final relegation spot.

But Lambert remains reluctant to acknowledge his side are safe.

"I won't believe it until somebody actually tells me otherwise," he said.

The Scot was less restrained in his praise for midfielder Jonny Howson, however.

The 23-year-old, a January signing from Leeds United, scored Norwich's first equaliser - his first goal for his new club - and put in an excellent display.

"It was one of the best performances I've seen from a midfielder," said Lambert, a European Cup-winning midfielder with Borussia Dortmund.

"We've got a proper player on our hands. We were lucky enough to get him."