He scored his first Premiership goal since a £3million move from Crewe with 12 minutes left and it helped Norwich fight back from being 4-1 down with 12 minutes left to draw 4-4 withMiddlesbrough.

Plenty of Premiership clubs have looked at the 21-year-old striker but it was Norwich who took the plunge earlier this month and at Carrow Road, he showed all the technical ability and awareness needed to succeed at the top level.

Ashton had already tested Mark Schwarzer with a couple of excellent strikes before nipping in to beat him in the six-yard area with an almost balletic finish.

It was enough to convince TheFA.com judge Alan Mullery that Ashton deserves to be Lion of the Weekend.

"The first goal is so important to strikers who come into the Premiership from a low level," he said.

"Not only that, but it was part of a comeback that will be talked about for years.

"The goal and performance will give Ashton the confidence to give it a real go in the next few weeks when Norwich really need him.

"It wasn’t just any old team they fought back against, Middlesbrough are in the top six and known for having a well-organised defence."

Lion of the Season - Total nominations so far

Stewart Downing 3 (08 Nov, 18 Oct, 04 Oct)
Shaun Wright-Phillips 3 (25 Oct, 16 Aug, 22 Nov)

Michael Owen 2 (01 Nov, 30 Aug)
John Terry 2 (29 Nov, 13 Dec)
Alan Smith 2 (23 Aug, 04 Jan)
Frank Lampard 2 (06 Dec, 17 Jan)

Wayne Rooney 1 (15 Nov)
Ashley Cole 1 (27 Sept)
Rio Ferdinand 1 (11 Oct)
Ledley King 1 (20 Sept)
Steven Gerrard 1 (06 Sept)
David James 1 (13 Sept)
Jermain Defoe 1 (20 Dec)
Darren Carter 1 (10 Jan)
Dean Ashton 1 (24 Jan)

* Every Monday TheFA.com announces the outstanding England player from the weekend’s matches, selected with the help of a former England international.

Lion of the Weekend is chosen by five former England internationals: Alan Mullery, Russell Osman, Mick Mills, Malcolm Macdonald and Paul Parker.

The player with the most votes at the end of the season will be crowned "Lion of the Season".