Kim Hellberg: Middlesbrough’s character helped secure victory over Norwich
Ashley Phillips scored a dramatic late winner after the Canaries had clawed their way back from 3-1 down.
Kim Hellberg saluted his Middlesbrough players for showing the right character to deliver victory after enduring a big scare from a dangerous Norwich.
Despite coming from behind to claim a 3-1 lead at the Riverside in the first half, Boro had former Tottenham defender Ashley Phillips to thank for a stoppage-time winner after the Canaries had fought back to level.
Phillips, with the first senior league goal of his career, ensured that Middlesbrough climbed up to fourth with a third home win from three this season.
And Middlesbrough boss Hellberg said: “If you look at the game as a neutral, it was a fantastic game. This was two teams that does everything they can to win the game.
“In that way it was a fantastic game, there was a lot of quality, the best version of football that I like – two teams going at each other is brilliant.
“We were the better team over 90 minutes, even though we played a very strong team. I am happy with that and it was down to the character of the boys and getting the win when things weren’t going our way second half.
“The strong thing for this group is how they support each other. I see so many who were outside the squad who today celebrated like it was important for them; that is not always how it is but this group is fantastic like that.
“I need to help the players know what we should do better to win the games. Game management is a massive thing. The character of the players won us the game.”
Norwich took the lead after 50 seconds when striker Mohamed Toure fired powerfully in off the far post.
Less than three minutes later Sebastian Berhalter hammered a finish in off the underside of the crossbar before Amario Cozier-Duberry curled in a low finish to put Middlesbrough in front.
Nine minutes before half-time American midfielder Berhalter turned Callum Brittain’s scuffed shot in to extend the lead.
Substitutes Jovon Makama and Jacob Wright pulled Norwich back into it with predatory finishes in the 70th and 75th minutes, respectively.
But Middlesbrough celebrated at the end when Phillips pounced on Will Lankshear’s pass.
Norwich boss Phillipe Clement, whose side were hoping for a third straight win, said: “It was a frantic game, with two teams really going to win.
“The biggest disappointment was not the first goal against but the 30 minutes after. I saw two/three players starting to doubt, they were not brave enough on the ball. We didn’t show the football we can play.
“I wanted to see another phase of the team (after half-time) and we then showed our qualities – the team did brilliantly. The biggest memory of this game was how good we can be if everyone goes full.
“It felt like a boxing fight. I felt Middlesbrough were on the ropes in the last 10 minutes, but in the dying seconds we got the punch where we go down and we lose.
“But I’m proud of what my team showed in the second half. We will have a good season if we do that in the next days and months.
“Everyone who watched the game will have enjoyed the game – seven goals. But I’m gutted now that we don’t get points from this game because we deserved this.”