Norwich City 1-2 Middlesbrough: Boro extend Championship winning streak to six games

Sam Greenwood opens the scoring for Middlesbrough against Norwich City at Carrow Road

Middlesbrough claimed their sixth Championship win on the bounce to force their way into the play-off reckoning and crank up the pressure on under-fire Norwich City manager David Wagner.

Sam Greenwood scored Boro's opener inside the opening minute of the second half, before Samuel Silvera ensured the victory during stoppage time.

Norwich's gloom continues - despite a late consolation through Jonathan Rowe - with Wagner's side having taken only four points from their past five League games.

Rowe's late goal came in front of a near-empty Carrow Road, with many home fans having already left early in frustration.

Boro were undoubtedly the better and more clinical side, following an uninspiring opening 45 minutes from both teams.

Josh Coburn's 24th-minute header was well saved in Boro's first proper attempt on goal. And just a minute later Matt Crooks found Lukas Engel lurking at the back post, but his volley was blocked.

The visitors should have gone ahead in the 33rd minute following a stirring attack created courtesy of sloppy Norwich play. Hayden Hackney galloped into space, driving a low goal-bound shot past goalkeeper George Long, only for Shane Duffy to clear as the ball rolled towards the empty net.

Boro finally did pounce 30 seconds into the second half.

Norwich conceded possession just inside their own half. Hayden won the ball, passed into the feet of Coburn, who, somewhat unselfishly, picked out Greenwood and he finished from close range.

Marcelino Nunez went close to equalising for the hosts when his 52nd-minute shot hit the crossbar. Dimitris Giannoulis exchanged a one-two with Kenny McLean before Nunez was found running towards the box, only for his strike to bounce against the top of the goal frame.

Nunez tried his luck again 15 minutes later. The Chile international curled a glorious in-swinging corner that looked destined for Seny Dieng's far post, with the Boro keeper reacting quickly to deny the most unlikely of goals.

Instead, it was Boro who finished off the job during the second minute of stoppage time. Silvera collected the ball deep in Norwich's half, was allowed to maraud forward, and curled a low shot past Long's outstretched left arm.

Rowe's powerful strike in the ninth minute of stoppage time gave Norwich some hope, but it was not enough to deny Middlesbrough yet another victory and prolong the Canaries' poor form.

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick told BBC Radio Tees:

"We had to work hard tonight. We knew the run of the results they'd been on was somewhat false and reminded me a bit of ourselves. We said our defending and out-of-possession work would be the difference for us. That proved to be the case in the second half.

"We played some good football after the opening 10 minutes when we settled. The boys were in a good rhythm and in the second half we controlled it and looked dangerous, despite not always having the ball.

"It was a quick start [in the second half], the out-of-possession [play], the pressing and effort. It's easy to come out and drift, but we came out with a good bite. I'm delighted with the effort.

"It showed the impact that everyone in the squad will have. The boys made an impact from the bench and it's a good sign for the rest of this season.

"It's been one hell of a year. I've loved the ups and the downs have been challenges. There are encouraging signs ahead but we need to keep that going, starting with this Saturday."