A place in Australia’s World Cup squad and a stunning goal to kick-start a stunning win from behind for Middlesbrough at Norwich – Riley McGree has certainly had worse weeks.
As has Michael Carrick. The head coach takes his Boro side into the World Cup break looking up after extending their unbeaten run to four games. Boro are now just four points off the play-offs.
This was by far the pick of the results of Carrick’s tenure so far. He brushed off questions pre-match that this was the toughest test since his appointment but that was undoubtedly the case, and Boro passed with flying colours.
They started well, weathered a storm after falling behind and recovered to work their way back into the game, levelling thanks to the brilliance of McGree who found the top corner with a stunning bicycle kick just after the hour mark. And in stoppage time, Matt Crooks, who replaced McGree in the 90th minute, scored a dramatic winner with his first touch to earn Boro a statement victory that will send a message to their rivals ahead of the winter stoppage.
While McGree was celebrating a World Cup call-up this week, his Boro teammate Zack Steffen faced the heartbreak of being left out of the USA squad. But he responded in superb fashion, making a string of fine saves.
There’s certainly been an element of continuity under Carrick so far, the head coach naming the same starting XI for the fourth consecutive game. The only change in the squad of 18 was on the bench, where Anfernee Dijksteel replaced Pharrell Willis.
Carrick wanted an extra attacking option on the bench at Blackpool in midweek, hence the decision to hand Willis his opportunity, but Norwich presented an all together different challenge, so an added layer of defensive cover among the substitutes was wise.
Carrick was delighted to see Boro keep their first clean sheet on his watch at Blackpool but it was immediately evident that keeping Norwich out would be much more of a test.
Steffen made a super early stop to deny Teemu Pukki, but the Boro keeper could do nothing to deny his countryman Josh Sargent a couple of minutes later, the forward finding the bottom corner from the right side of the box.
Norwich have recovered from their own sticky spell to avoid defeat in three games coming into this and they looked in the mood, Aaron Ramsey almost doubling their lead with a fierce dipping strike that was well saved by Steffen.
Boro had started on the front foot before falling behind, in-form Chuba Akpom heading over with an early opportunity after good work down the right through Smith and Jones.
Boro weathered the storm that followed the Norwich goal and started to grow into the game around the half hour mark, the influence of former Canary Jonny Howson, making his 600th professional appearance, growing.
Giles started to adventure forward after he was initially pinned back and Jones twice had efforts blocked when he popped up inside the box. Akpom was a threat, dropping deep to find space and the ball, he headed just wide from a Giles corner on the stroke of half-time.
Steffen started the second half in the way he’d started the first, by making a fine save, this time at full stretch to deny Sargent a second from distance. But Boro asked questions of the home side, McGree shooting over before Jones was wasteful inside the box after being afforded time and space to pick his pass.
Just after the hour mark they got their leveller thanks to the brilliance of McGree, his third of the season. And with their tails up, Boro pushed for the winner, Giles blazing over.
The game was open and entertaining and Norwich came again, Aarons flashing a shot just wide and ex-Boro man Onel Hernandez forcing a save out of Steffen. The Boro keeper denied the Canaries again late on when substitute Cantwell broke into the box but had his cross cut out.
Crooks was introduced and made an instant impact. Akpom didn’t extend his scoring run but the striker superbly took two defenders out of the game before teeing up the substitute to slide home the winner.
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