Middlesbrough vs. Norwich: Score, Report and Reaction from Championship Play-off
Norwich City will play in the Premier League again next season after defeating Middlesbrough, 2-0, on Monday in the Championship play-off final.
Cameron Jerome and Nathan Redmond scored within three minutes of each other as the Canaries took control of the match early in the first half at Wembley. Boro, who were poor for much of the opening 45 minutes, improved in the second half but were unable to mount a comeback.
The result means Norwich are the third and final team from the Championship to earn promotion to the Premier League for next season, following league winners Bournemouth and runners-up Watford. Norwich qualified for the play-offs by finishing third and beat Ipswich Town over two legs in the semi-final.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Once they begin play in the top flight, Norwich could have a good chance to remain there. The Canaries spent only one season away from the Premier League, having been relegated in 2014 following a run of three straight seasons.
With only one season in between appearances in the Premier League, Norwich naturally retained several players who have experience in the top flight. Meanwhile, in Alex Neil, the Canaries have an exciting young manager.
Writing before the play-off final, B/R's Stan Collymore called Norwich the team "best equipped" to survive in the Premier League next season. "I think they already have the best squad of the teams that have already been promoted or are in the play-offs," he wrote.
Norwich will now spend the summer trying to strengthen as they mount a bid for Premier League survival. Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka, meanwhile, will return to the Championship and hope to achieve promotion next season.
The match started in exciting style as both teams hit the woodwork in the opening 10 minutes. Norwich had the first chance, with Bradley Johnson striking the crossbar with a shot from 20 yards in the ninth minute. Moments later at the other end, Middlesbrough's Jelle Vossen struck the bar with a powerful volley.
Norwich soon took control of the match with two goals in three minutes.
The opener arrived in the 12th minute as the Canaries benefitted from some poor defending by Boro. Jerome started and finished the move himself, winning possession off Daniel Ayala near the corner flag before bearing down on goal. Facing goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos at a tight angle, Jerome poked in at the near post for 1-0.
It was 2-0 just three minutes later, and this time Norwich tore apart Boro with an excellent team move. The Canaries worked the ball to Steven Whittaker, who sent an angled pass into the box for Redmond. With an excellent first touch, Redmond both controlled the ball and went past the nearest defender. With his second, he rifled a strong finish across the goal and past Konstantopoulos.
Middlesbrough tried to mount a quick response, but Norwich were the sharper, quicker of the two sides. Boro striker Patrick Bamford cut an isolated figure, rarely seeing the ball and struggling to beat Norwich's Russell Martin and Sebastien Bassong when he did receive service.
In the 25th minute, Vossen sent a weak header off-target following a George Friend cross. Vossen missed the target again 12 minutes later as Middlesbrough sputtered toward half-time facing a two-goal deficit.
After the break, Karanaka pushed three into the attack, and Boro soon looked more lively. Ayala headed over from a corner in the 50th minute, and Bamford had a low shot saved nine minutes later. In between, Vossen drew a booking in the 56th minute for what referee Mike Dean deemed simulation in the Norwich box.
Norwich created a big chance in the 69th minute, with Martin rising highest to meet a corner. But his header flew over the bar from six yards.
Jerome, who had been excellent throughout, left the match to a warm ovation in the 74th minute. Lewis Grabban replaced him in Norwich's lineup, while Wes Hoolahan made way for Graham Dorrans.
Norwich came close again in the 79th minute as Redmond whipped a free-kick high and wide. Grabban made an important contribution three minutes later, clearing Ayala's free header off the line.
Boro continued to push forward, but apart from Ayala's header, they were unable to worry Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy. After seeing out four minutes of stoppage time, the Canaries were back in the Premier League.
Reaction
Norwich forward Cameron Jerome, via Sky Sports (h/t BBC Sport):
"It's amazing. It's been a long old season. We were both unlucky to miss out on automatic promotion. Someone's got to lose and it's unfortunate for them. We were magnificent today. We moved the ball well and we were deserved winners.
…
I caught the defender in possession and got in the box. I was looking for a cut back but the defender cut off the angle, so I went for the near post and I was lucky to squeeze it in. I'm glad to get on the scoresheet, but more importantly we got over the line today.
"
Norwich manager Alex Neil, via Sky Sports (h/t BBC Sport):
"I believed we would do it, but it's one thing believing it and another thing doing it. Big players arrive on the big stage and you saw that in the first 20 minutes—we were unbelievable. We worked so hard to get here. The worst thing you can do is walk off having been scared.
"
Follow @MiguelCominguez
