Alexander Tettey's own goal gifted Middlesbrough a crucial 1-0 win against Norwich as Boro returned to the top of the Sky Bet Championship on Friday night.
After damaging back-to-back away defeats to fellow promotion hopefuls Bournemouth and Watford, Boro boss Aitor Karanka said before the game that defeat at Carrow Road would have spelt the end of their top-two hopes - but they are now on course to end their six-year hiatus from the Barclays Premier League.
With Middlesbrough now top of the table it is hard to describe this 1-0 victory as an upset - but Norwich had won 12 in 15 games, and came into the clash on a five-match winning streak.
Karanka's side had the better of the first half and took the lead in the eighth minute as a vital touch from Tettey sent Grant Leadbitter's corner into his own net.
Although Alex Neil saw the hosts dominate play after the interval, they still could not create a clear-cut chance and it was Middlesbrough who came closest to adding to their lead.
The first chance of the evening fell to Jelle Vossen as Patrick Bamford flicked on Albert Adomah's cross, but the Belgian could only angle a shot over John Ruddy's crossbar.
The visitors had settled the quickest and carved Norwich open again soon after - but this time Sebastien Bassong was on hand to cut out Bamford's cross - with Vossen free in the area.
Middlesbrough got the goal their early endeavours deserved as Leadbitter's resulting corner came off the back of the unwitting Tettey and beat Ruddy at his back post - with Adomah unable to get a touch in time to claim the goal for himself.
Things could have got worse for Neil's side on 12 minutes as Bamford's mishit shot was collected by Lee Tomlin, whose low cross was almost turned in by Ruddy.
Bamford and Tomlin were causing problems for the experienced Norwich defence and the former got in behind the Norwich backline again before hitting a tame effort towards goal.
Jonny Howson passed up a great chance to equalise when he glanced a header wide when picked out in the middle of the penalty area - with the Canaries still not up to the speed of the game.
The midfielder, who scored in the win at former club Leeds during the week, then exchanged passes with Wes Hoolahan but saw his effort deflected and was caught out by a defensive flick at the back post as he once again failed to nod home from Johnson's delivery.
ball.boutique99.aspmessinewboots.asp
footballjerseys.asp
newcheapnfljerseys.asp
mlbteamsjerseysshop.asp
adidaspredatorlz2.asp
soccer-pro.asp
crchaussurefoot.asp
achetermaillotfr.asp
chaussuredeneymar2014.asp
hyfoot.asp
voetbalshirtss.asp
hotctr360.asp
nbacrazyshop.asp
predatorlzii2014.asp
没有评论:
发表评论