A remarkable ten-minute spell at the end of the first-half saw a resurgent Middlesbrough score three times to ease past fellow promotion hopefuls Norwich City. Boro’ had picked up just five points in their previous five Championship fixtures, but Friday night’s victory now virtually assures them of a play-off position heading into the final six games of the campaign.
Middlesbrough started the game strongly, and opened the scoring after just seven minutes, when on-loan Aston Villa youngster Aaron Ramsay tapped home from close range. The talented 20-year-old midfielder had spent the first half of the season at Carrow Road, and, much to the away fans’ derision, duly celebrated his fifth goal for his current employers in front of the visiting support. The same section of the Riverside was once again incensed as Michael Carrick’s side clinched a second, with left-back Sam McCallum down whilst Hackney notched from fourteen yards. Marcus Foss had taken full advantage of the defender’s absence, progressing down the right flank before squaring for Scotland Under-21 international Hayden Hackney, who subsequently swept neatly home to put Middlesbrough two up.
Cameron Archer, another Villa loanee currently making a significant contribution on Teesside, then struck his first of the evening, as Boro pounced on a misplaced pass to treble their advantage. It was then the home side’s turn to be sloppy in possession; Northern Irishman Paddy McNair was robbed of the ball by a persistent Josh Sargent, who raced clear and cooly slotted beyond American compatriot Zac Steffen to reduce the deficit. However, Archer would have the final say in the first half, slamming the ball into the far corner after the Canaries failed to clear Ryan Giles’ expertly-delivered free-kick deep into stoppage time.
Championship top scorer Chuba Akpom added a fifth goal just four minutes after the break to complete the scoring. Norwich did press on as the game entered its conclusive stages, but a combination of the woodwork and Steffen prevented the Norfolk outfit from claiming what would have been a second consolation goal.
Middlesbrough just about stay in touching distance of second-placed Sheffield United, who delivered a 4-1 rout of Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon. However, with the Blades five points ahead having played two games less, an automatic promotion place looks increasingly unlikely. Hull City will travel up the east coast to face Boro’ on Wednesday ( 19 April) evening, knowing champions-elect Burnley are the only side to have a superior home record than their opponents.
