Norwich 0 – 1 Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough moved back to the top of the Championship table with an edgy win over fellow promotion-chasers Norwich.

With Bournemouth and Watford in action on Saturday, Boro seized the chance to put the pressure on the chasing pack and move a point clear of the Cherries.

The visitors capitalised on a strong start, forcing Alex Tettey to flick into his own net from a corner.

Norwich dominated in the second half but are now two points off the top with two games to play.

The Canaries are guaranteed a play-off spot but automatic promotion is now out of their hands.

Boro are not yet assured of promotion, with Bournemouth and Watford still in contention for the top two spots.

They survived seven minutes of injury time and an onslaught from the home side to leave Carrow Road with a crucial victory.

Albert Adomah claimed the decisive goal but the ball had already crossed the line from Tettey’s flicked header from a corner.

Despite Norwich’s second-half dominance they failed to register a single shot on target, due largely to an obdurate defensive display from the Boro back line.

The Canaries’ best chance came in the opening period when Jonny Howson missed the target with a free header from six yards out.

The impressive Patrick Bamford spurned good chances in both halves for the visitors and could have killed the game off in the closing stages but stabbed wide when clean through.

Norwich City remaining games: 25 April – Rotherham United (away), 2 May – Fulham (home).

Middlesbrough remaining games: 25 April – Fulham (away), 2 May – Brighton (home).

Norwich manager Alex Neil:

“The play-offs look most likely for us now but you never know in football. What we have to do is refocus and win the next two games.

“I thought the first 15 minutes cost us the match. Ultimately we didn’t really do enough.

“Once they scored, we were the dominant team but Middlesbrough defended well. We had chances but we’d have liked to have had more.”

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka:

“We don’t have players in the same numbers as Watford, Norwich and Bournemouth. We have to be consistent because we do not have so many strikers and not so many goals as the other teams. This win is absolutely vital for us.

“We have two games and we have to wait for a mistake from Bournemouth or Watford. We have won the first one of the three and now we have to win the last two. But for now I am very proud of my players.

“We have 25 players who fight for every single ball and when they play their best they deserve to be in the Premier League for sure.

“A lot of their players played in the Premier League last season but some of ours came from League One and League Two. I’m very proud of the whole team. We did our job but now we have to wait.”

BBC