There were a few raised eyebrows when Carroll was drafted back into the team at Blackpool, after Nile Ranger's impressive recent form.
And let's be honest ... Carroll did struggle for most of that game (despite scoring the opening goal) ... looking laboured and well short of match fitness.
But Hughton agues: you only get match fit playing games!
Chris Hughton: "He has done ever so well, big Andy Carroll. He was out for a period of time and had only had two days' training with the team before the Blackpool game.
"He got stronger and better as the game went on and as well as scoring a goal, he could have perhaps added another one to it."