‘STOP THE COUNT’ - Fans delighted as City go top with narrow win at Boro
Teemu Pukki scored the crucial penalty for Norwich at Middlesbrough Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Norwich City fans are enjoying their lockdown silver linings this evening, after seeing the Canaries go top of the Championship after extending their unbeaten run to eight games with a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough.
There were superb defensive blocks at either end from City skipper Grant Hanley and Boro centre-back Dael Fry but the game turned on two penalties.
The hosts got their chance when Ben Gibson clipped Marcus Tavernier in the 50th minute and the midfielder sent Tim Krul the wrong way - only for referee Tony Harrington to rule the goal out as Tavernier had slipped, saying he’d touched the ball twice.
The Canaries took advantage as a surge into the box from Max Aarons, exchanging a one-two with Emi Buendia, was halted by Boro substitute Hayden Coulson and earned a penalty.
Half-time substitute Teemu Pukki, replacing the injured Jordan Hugill, calmly tucked the spot-kick into the bottom-right corner for his sixth goal in nine games for club and country.
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With Reading throwing away a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 at Bournemouth and lunchtime, and Watford drawing 1-1 at QPR, the three points meant Daniel Farke’s team were top of the table.
- Take a look at some of the best of the social media reaction above and below.
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Next up for the Canaries is a trip to Stoke on Tuesday (7pm kick-off), who moved above Boro into seventh after a 4-3 home win over Huddersfield.
