Norwich City in relegation fight - Chris Hughton

Norwich manager Chris Hughton said his side are in a fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League after the 1-0 defeat by West Brom.

The Canaries are five points ahead of 18th-placed Fulham, who beat Aston Villa and host Norwich next Saturday.

"We have taken a step backwards and we have to turn it around against Fulham next week. Losing today makes it an even bigger game," said Hughton.

Fulham boss Felix Magath said: "We have won and this will give us confidence."

Hugo Rodallega's late header gave Fulham a 2-1 victory and against Villa provided the Cottages hope of repeating their remarkable relegation escape of 2008.

Fulham travelled to Villa Park with 24 points from 32 games, identical to their plight six years ago. Then, they won four of their final six games to avoid the drop on goal difference.

"We have to win our games now," said Magath, who earned a second victory since arriving at Craven Cottage in February.

"It doesn't matter which team we play. We need to win three of the last games at least to stay in the league. We will fight every game."

After hosting Norwich, Fulham face trips to Tottenham and Stoke either side of a home game against Hull. They end the season by entertaining Crystal Palace.

Norwich, meanwhile, follow the Fulham clash with fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

"At the moment, the Fulham game has become the biggest of the season," added former Newcastle and Birmingham boss Hughton.

"I understand frustrations and it is normal, but we have to understand it is us as a group and everybody is going to get us the results we need."

Morgan Amalfitano's first-half strike was enough to condemn Norwich to their fourth defeat in six games and move West Brom ahead of the Canaries on goal difference with a game in hand.

"It was an opportunity to get a gap between us and the bottom three and we are now fighting for our lives," said Hughton.

Fulham had been level with Everton last week before sliding to a 3-1 defeat, but at Villa Park they bounced back from Grant Holt's equaliser to find a late winner.

And, as a reward, the players have been given two extra days off by Magath.

"It was very important we won here after losing our last home game," said the German. "I think today was our last chance for us to stay in the league. Therefore, it was a very difficult game and very spectacular.

"We were one goal in front, there was an equaliser, and that was the situation last week that put us down. Today we came back and we fought.

"You can imagine now how the players in the locker room are happy, and they forced me to give them two days off, so I have. They deserved it today."