WAG’S FURY AS SAINZ SEES RED

Canaries play-off hopes take hit after Boro stage comeback

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DAVID WAGNER was left furious after Borja Sainz’s controversial red card halted their play-off charge.

Norwich had full control of the game and the lead through Ashley Barnes’ seventh goal of the season until referee Bobby Madley dismissed Sainz in the 30th minute.

The Spaniard caught Jonny Howson on the thigh as he spun round after a tackle.

Wagner was furious with the officials. Replays showed it could hardly be classed as violent conduct.

That gave Boro a lifeline after a moribund start to the game. Until the sending-off they were passive, lacking aggression and surrendered possession.

But they roared to victory against the 10 men, with Luke Engel’s volley for the third the pick of the goals.

Wagner’s side exploited Boro’s high defensive line as they attacked early on and were ahead after 17 minutes.

Barnes collected a lovely ball dinked over the top by Gabriel Gomes Sara. He was shoved over by defender Matt Clarke, but managed to scuff the ball past Boro keeper Seny Dieng, despite being on the ground. Then came the sending-off and a complete reversal of fortunes.

Marcus Forss blasted Boro level after Paddy Mcnair rolled it across goal and Emmanuel Latte Lath squeezed it to the Finland midfielder.

Then Boro went into the lead before halftime through Latte Lath. Matt

Clarke swung in a cross and the striker controlled it to stab home from eight yards.

It was only Boro’s second win in nine games and they stretched their lead to nine points ahead of the relegation places.

Engel smashed home his volley at the far post on 62 minutes to seal the points and stop the rot. It was only a second win in nine games.

The win eased the growing pressure on Carrick and he will have to decide whether there is enough prospect of summer investment and success to kick on again next season.

And the Canaries need to bounce back against Rotherham on Saturday.

BORO: Dieng 7, Van den Berg 6, Mcnair 6, Clarke 6, Ayling 6 (Dijksteel 70), Howson 7 (Barlaser 70), O’brien 6, Engel 7, Forss 7 (Gilbert 87), Latte Lath 7 (Silvera 70), Mcgree 6 (Azaz 80) MOTM Woolford 8, Easter 6 (Martin 51, 7), Waghorn 7, (Keogh 82). NORWICH: Gunn, Stacey, Hanley (Sorensen 70), Gibson, Giannoulis, Sara, Mclean (Van Hooijdonk 76), Fassnacht (Nunez 45), Barnes (Welch 87), Sainz, Sargent (Gibbs 70).

REF: Bobby Madley 23,545

Latte Lath puts Boro ahead at the Riverside as they fought back to win RED ALERT Referee Madley sends off Borja Sainz and he looks dejected (circle below)