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Carrow Road is bouncing as Norwich pepper the Boro area. Jonny Howson has an effort blocked by Daniel Ayala on the six-yard line before a move involving Wes Hoolahan, Bradley Johnson and Howson sees the latter miss another chance with a header after good defensive work by Ben Gibson.

Bamford is playing through the pain barrier but he's struggling. Norwich force a rare corner but Boro have the best defence in the second tier and clear the danger comfortably.

Kevin Kilbane
BBC Radio 5 live at Carrow Road

"He surely won't be able to continue, he's just jarred his ankle when he landed after going up for a header. They are painful it's one of those you can tell straight away how bad it is."

Bad news for Middlesbrough. Patrick Bamford pulls up while chasing a ball pumped into the Norwich half. The on-loan Chelsea player crumples to the ground with pain etched across his face. Will the 17-goal striker continue?

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Norwich are edging back into this. They've regrouped after the shock of falling behind. There's a break in play as Patrick Bamford receives treatment on the pitch for a knock. Both teams take the opportunity to grab a quick drink on the sidelines. Bamford is back up and play resumes.

Kevin Kilbane
BBC Radio 5 live at Carrow Road

"What a chance, he should be hitting the target from there at the very least. It should be 1-1. He can't believe it."

How did he miss that? Norwich's first serious chance falls to Jonny Howson but the midfielder heads woefully wide of a gaping net after being teed-up by Bradley Johnson's cushioned header across the face of goal.

Jeremy Monkey: As a Watford fan, can I say to all Norwich and Middlesbrough fans tonight, may the best team draw. Or win by only one goal.

Far too easy for Boro. A big chance for Patrick Bamford after more hesitation from the home defence but the on-loan Chelsea man cannot add to his 17 goal tally as John Ruddy saves comfortably in the end. Middlesbrough need to make the most of these opportunities.

Which Championship players will shine on the Premier League stage next season?

Bradley Coston: Watford's Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo for sure would shine in the Premier League.

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An awful long way to go in this game yet but Middlesbrough are top of the 'as it stands' table, one point ahead of Bournemouth who drop to second.

Norwich are on the ropes. They are saved from falling 2-0 behind by John Ruddy who makes a smart save to deny Lee Tomlin's clever effort from an angle. Boro's large travelling contingent are loving this.

Preston make a strong start too, in their crucial match in League One.

An inswinging corner isn't dealt with by the hosts and the ball falls to Daniel Johnson who smashes in via a deflection for his eighth of the season.

Kevin Kilbane
BBC Radio 5 live at Carrow Road

"Middlesbrough are certainly not sleeping, it's been an incredible start from them. It's been a dynamic start with both wingers making ground down the flanks, they've been well on top and deserve to be ahead."

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Middlesbrough are top of the table! It's been coming from the first minute and Boro have the lead after Adam Clayton's corner is headed into his own net by Alexander Tettey under pressure from the impressive Jelle Vossen. Carrow Road is silenced.

Kevin Kilbane
BBC Radio 5 live at Carrow Road

"It was a great cross and Vossen was unmarked at the back post but he just couldn't get his foot over it. Middlesbrough well on top so far."

It's all Middlesbrough. The Canaries are forced to defend a flurry of early corners before Albert Adomah sends in another dangerous cross which is flicked on by Patrick Bamford to Jelle Vossen who flashes just wide.

Early pressure on the Norwich defence as Tomas Kalas whips in a dangerous looping cross and Steven Whittaker is forced to head clear before a red shirt can get on the end.

Frantic start. Both teams are pumped to the maximum. No-nonsense start by Norwich and Boro who are playing at a high tempo. There's an early foul conceded by Bradley Johnson but the ball is spending more time in the air than on the ground.

Under way also at Vale Park.

Port Vale: Neal, Veseli, Duffy, Collins, Dickinson, Dodds, O'Connor, Brown, Marshall, Williamson, Campion. Subs: Yates, Birchall, Pope, Johnson, Daniel, Coulibaly, O'Sullivan.

Preston: Johnstone, Clarke, Huntington, Wright, Laird, Gallagher, Johnson, Welsh, Robinson, Garner, Beckford. Subs: Humphrey, Kilkenny, Kevin Davies, Woods, Little, Stuckmann, Ebanks-Blake.

Referee: Richard Clark (Northumberland)