Onel keeps Norwich one step ahead
IN a division renowned for its unpredictability, Norwich continue to buck the trend, remaining a model of consistency.
A seventh consecutive victory moved them ever closer to ending a threeyear absence from the top flight.
Daniel Farke’s side maintained their serene progress towards the title, at the same time casting further doubts on Middlesbrough’s readiness to accompany them into the Premier League via the play-offs.
The Canaries were far from their fluent best, but that perhaps makes this win all the more notable. A goal from Onel Hernandez nine minutes into the second half stretched the Canaries’ advantage at the top of the table to five points over Leeds, with Sheffield United a further two points back.
Darren Randolph, the Boro keeper, formed a one-man barrier to Norwich’s progress before the break, making two stunning saves from Teemu Pukki and another to thwart Emiliano Buendia. But there was little Randolph could do to prevent Hernandez finding the bottom corner from the edge of the area after Ashley Fletcher and Jonny Howson both spurned chances to clear.
Daniel Ayala sent an unmarked header against the outside of a post from Ryan Shotton’s throw, and substitute Stewart Downing saw an effort hacked off the line by City skipper Christoph Zimmermann. It saw Middlesbrough drop out of the top six for the first time in 235 days.
They can rectify that situation with victory at home to Bristol City in midweek, but their form has deserted them at the worst possible time. They have won just once at home in the league this year, and a fourth consecutive defeat represents their worst form at this level for six years.
Pukki came close to doubling the advantage when firing narrowly wide as Boro pushed players forward in pursuit of an equaliser, but a rare miss from the division’s most prolific scorer didn’t prove costly as victory was secured with few late alarms.
The last 10 sides to top the Championship going into April have all secured automatic promotion. Barring a collapse of unforeseen proportions, the imperious East Anglians look set to add their name to that tally.