The Canaries claimed another high profile scalp at Carrow Road, beating Manchester United 1-0 having seen off Arsenal last month by the same scoreline.
In a fast pulsating game Anthony Pilkington's 64th minute header was the difference between the two sides. And with their Mancunian rival's City thrashing Paul Lambert's Aston Villa 5-0, they replaced United at the top of the Premiership table.
On a day of high scoring games in the Premiership, Hughton's charges withstood a typical United onslaught to deny them and keep their third consecutive clean sheet.
Robin Van Persie set the tone for the game, testing John Ruddy within the first three minutes, forcing the City keeper into conceding the first of 12 corners for the visitors!
Javier Hernandez and Ashley Cole also found Ruddy more than equal to their efforts before the break. While at the other end Robert Snodgrass saw his header just drift the wrong side of Anders Lindegaard's left-hand post and the Danish keeper denied Alex Tettey's attempt from over 30 yards.
HALF-TIME: City 0 Manchester United 0
After the break Pilkington came more into the game, using his pace out wide delivering several crosses that kept the over-worked United defence busy.
But in the 64th minute he did pierce the Red's defence and Carrow Road erupted. He exquisitely headed Javier Garrido's left-wing cross past Lindegaard into the top corner.
Seeing his side trailing and struggling to break down a resistant home side prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to make a double substitution withdrawing Valencia and Hernandez to bring on the experienced Paul Scholes and youthful striker Danny Welbeck.
Hughton also made a double change, sacrificing the creativity of Hoolahan for the more resilient midfielder Jonny Howson. And although he didn't find the net, Holt deservedly received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Steve Morison, for his tireless running and vital contribution in the build up to the Canaries goal.
As you would expect, United kept going right to the end although they nearly equalised from an unlikely source. Bassong, who with fellow central defender Michael Turner were so solid throughout the game, made a rare slip with his defensive header forcing Ruddy to push it over the bar.
Not even Lindegaard's presence in the area for the resulting corner could help his team-mates find a way past City's rock solid rear-guard.
As the 90 minute mark loomed the Canaries turned defence into attack with subs' Howson and Morrison faced with just two defenders. Morison kept Rafael at bay with his pace and drilled in a low cross that Howson just couldn't quite get to!
Afterwards Sir Alex was honest enough to admit that City deserved the win and complimented Hughton in the way he has got his side playing and being difficult to beat.
FULL-TIME: City 1 Manchester United 0
| Norwich | Manchester United |
|
1 Ruddy |
13 Lindegaard |
|
3 Whittaker |
2 Rafael |
|
5 Bassong |
3 Evra |
|
18 Garrido |
5 Ferdinand *** |
| 6 Turner |
12 Smalling |
|
4 Johnson |
7 Valencia * |
|
12 Pilkington |
11 Giggs |
|
14 Hoolahan ** |
16 Carrick |
| 7 Snodgrass *** |
18 Young |
|
9 Holt * |
14 Hernandez ** |
| 27 Tettey |
20 Van Persie |
|
Substitutes
|
|
|
28 Bunn (GK) |
50 Johnstone |
| 24 R Bennett |
4 Jones |
|
8 Howson ** 83 |
8 Anderson *** 83 |
| 23 Tierney |
22 Scholes * 69 |
|
17 E Bennett *** 90+1 |
23 Cleverley |
|
10 Jackson |
24 Fletcher |
|
16 Morison * 83 |
19 Welbeck ** 69 |
Goals:
City: Pilkington (64)
Manchester United: None
Bookings:
City: None
Manchester United: Rafael (90+2)
Referee: Mr A Taylor
Attendance: 26,840