Championship
Toure on target again in seven-goal thriller
Australia international Mohamed Toure was on target inside the first minute to put Norwich City ahead at Middlesbrough in their EFL Championship clash, but it wouldn't be enough in a wild seven-goal contest that ultimately ended 4-3 in Boro's favour. … Show More
Australia international Mohamed Toure was on target inside the first minute to put Norwich City ahead at Middlesbrough in their EFL Championship clash, but it wouldn't be enough in a wild seven-goal contest that ultimately ended 4-3 in Boro's favour.
Ashley Phillips scored in second-half stoppage time to settle the match at Riverside Stadium, making it back-to-back Championship wins for the hosts, despite a Canaries comeback and a midweek defeat to Crystal Palace in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Norwich took the lead when Toure capitalised on a slack pass from Aidan Morris, charging forward and blasting home from a tight angle with a sensational strike.
But Tommy Conway squared for Sebastian Berhalter to restore parity three minutes later, and Brighton and Hove Albion loanee Amario Cozier-Duberry swiftly put the home side ahead.
Berhalter's second put Boro well on its way to what looked set to be a routine victory, but Norwich had other ideas.
Substitutes Jovon Makama and Jacob Wright dragged the visitors level, but the Canaries' grand comeback was spoilt when defender Phillips steered home late on.
"It was a frantic game. We started perfectly scoring the goal in the way we wanted to score it, behind the defence with the speed of Mo," Norwich boss Philippe Clement said.
"But I was disappointed with the reaction after [the Boro equaliser] as several players lost belief, lost the fire and we threw away 30 minutes of the game because of that and conceded two more goals.
"But I'm really proud about the second half, the face that the team showed. That is the Norwich I want to see every time, 90 minutes long, with this desire, the quality on the ball, creating chances.
"The last 10 minutes, Middlesbrough felt they were on the ropes and we missed a small thing to kill it off. Then in the dying seconds, they find an opener with a set-piece and I think they're really lucky to get the three points."
Kim Hellberg praised both sides for their contribution to a hectic match.
"This is why football is the most beautiful sport in the world. As a neutral, this must have been absolutely crazy," he said.
"As a manager, it was quite harrowing and the hair I have left will be grey, but the lads won it at the end by showing character and that is very, very strong.
"It was beautiful to see two teams going against each other that want to play football, want to be in control of the game, that believe in their own qualities. It was as good a game as you can get for the Championship.
"What an absolutely beautiful football game for the neutral and for supporters, emotions everywhere, but two teams who respect each other both going at it."
Middlesbrough has now won each of its past five home league games, which marks its longest run since March 2023, when it won seven on the bounce.
This win sees it placed fourth in a top six that is spread by only two points after seven matches of what looks to be shaping up as another close race for promotion to the Premier League.
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