An early own goal from Alexander Tettey has handed Middlesbrough a vital 1-0 win over promotion rivals Norwich City at Carrow Road to move the visitors to the top of the Championship table.
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The visitors were pressing from the start as Albert Adomah whipped a dangerous cross in for Jelle Vossen, but the striker's volley was just wide of the post.
Middlesbrough continued to dictate the match in the early stages though, and opened the scoring less than 10 minutes in when Tettey tried to clear the ball from a corner, only to end up scuffing it into his own net.
Patrick Bamford was on the attack trying to double Aitor Karanka's side's advantage a few minutes later, but he could only direct a cross from Adomah straight at John Ruddy, leaving the Norwich keeper to palm it clear.
Norwich started to threaten more as the first half progressed though, but Jonny Howson could only head wide from a couple of yards out, while Sebastien Bassong was unable to nod it in from a corner shortly after.
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Wes Hoolahan tried his luck from range just before half time, but the drive was watched all the way by Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, leaving the Boro keeper with a comfortable save.
Bamford picked up a knock midway through the first half, but he showed no signs of slowing down at the start of the second half as controlled a long ball forward before attempting to pick out the bottom corner, but Ruddy made the diving save.
The visitors' strikeforce was dealt a further blow on the hour mark when Vossen was forced off with an injury, having landed awkwardly in a challenge with Bassong shortly after the restart.
After a quiet spell, Middlesbrough were suddenly on the attack again trying to increase their advantage, with Lee Tomlin blasting a 25-yard effort towards the Norwich goal, but his effort just missed the top corner.
Norwich started to control the possession again late on as they continued to seek an equaliser, but the Boro back four ensured that their opportunities were limited throughout.
It looked like the visitors were settling for a single goal in the closing stages as they got every player behind the ball, but they launched a quick counter-attack through Tomlin, as he picked out Bamford with a through-ball, but his finishing touch was lacking as he failed to force a save from Ruddy.
Norwich came close to punishing the miss moments later as Lewis Grabban tried to catch Konstantopoulos out with a shot from distance, and it took a deflection, but the keeper just got a hand to it in time.
Cameron Jerome continued to press for Alex Neil's side deep into stoppage time, but the home side continued to be frustrated as Boro held on for the win.
The result lifts Boro back above Bournemouth, although the Cherries have a game in hand, while Norwich slip out of the automatic promotion places to fourth.
Sian Cowper
