, Early red card punishes Middlesbrough in defeat to Norwich

Early red card punishes Middlesbrough in defeat to Norwich

Middlesbrough were left rueing a missed opportunity, as they fell further behind in the race for the playoffs. Norwich triumphed 1-0 thanks to a stunning Tom Trybull long-range strike late in the first half, after Rudy Gestede saw red for a dangerous challenge.

Gestelde had only just received a yellow card, but five minutes later the Benin-international was shown a straight red for a lunging tackle on Canaries defender Grant Hanley.

The striker’s bad decision-making ultimately cost Boro, as they suffered their fourth 1-0 loss in just six games. The result leaves them six points adrift of the play-offs as things stand.

Middlesbrough’s away form had been positive before the visit to Carrow Road. They had picked up three wins in a row on the road, against Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End and Queens Park Rangers respectively.

Norwich City dominated the game, with only a couple of chances for the away side. James Maddison and Nelson Oliveira both went close for Norwich, and it was thanks to Darren Randolph in the Middlesbrough goal that their goal difference didn’t take more damage.

Boro never made their mark, and Patrick Bamford and Stewart Downing were peripheral figures throughout the 90 minutes. After Rudy Gestede’s dismissal, it was Traore that led the line as opposed to Bamford. This spoke volumes.

Bamford has only scored one goal this season, and the red card didn’t prompt Tony Pulis into bringing on Britt Assombalonga right away either. The Congolese striker hasn’t scored under the management of Pulis, and is without a goal inn seven straight games.

Middlesbrough need to keep pace with the top six and with games against sides in the bottom half in the coming weeks, it could be the perfect time to hit a run of form.

Middlesbrough host Reading next weekend, whereas Norwich face a tough trio of games, with Derby, Ipswich and Wolves their next opponents.

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