Boss Matt Taylor reacts to the first win of the season as Rotherham United are too strong for previously-unbeaten Norwich City

Andre Green in first-half action for Rotherham United. Picture: Jim Brailsford

ROTHERHAM United's first victory of the Championship campaign has given their players the "shot in the arm" they needed after four winless matches, says manager Matt Taylor.

The Millers were in superb form as they saw off the challenge of high-flying Norwich City 2-1 at a rowdy AESSEAL New York Stadium this afternoon.

They have been improving with each league match and a triumph over a team that had started the day in second spot and unbeaten was a just reward for their efforts.

Two first-half goals before the break and then a strong defensive showing after it as the Canaries tried to hit back put them in 20th place heading into the two-week international break.

Taylor said: "We got the goals in the first half. Goals always makes it a better performance

"You know there is going to be a reaction from the opposition. Them scoring when they did (50th minute) gave us time to settle. We weren’t comfortable by any means but we saw out the game.

"We were close against Blackburn Rovers when we drew with ten men and then got no points when we were a match for Leicester City. That game could have gone either way.

"The players have to keep believing because we are good enough to compete and we have to get something out of these matches.

"Today is a shot in the arm. I have been trying to put confidence into them with words but nothing speaks louder than three points. We were at a little bit of a crossroads and waiting for the first win to give us belief.

"I was disappointed with Norwich's goal. After it, we could have taken more pressure off ourselves by sustaining our attacking moments better."

Norwich head coach David Wagner bemoaned his side's early showing but was pleased with the reaction following the interval.

"The first-half performance was below par," he said. "We were miles off it and not focused. It was not the energy level we expected. We spoke about this at half-time and it was good in the second half.

"In the second half we showed exactly what we were about, but it was too late. It was a deserved defeat. Every individual should learn from it.

"It was no surprise with how Rotherham played. We have known the answers and what to do. We showed it in the second half but not the first."