An own goal has given Middlesbrough a 1-0 lead over Norwich City in their Championship clash with their promotion rivals at Carrow Road this evening.
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The visitors made a bright start, resulting in Albert Adomah crossing the ball in for Jelle Vossen early on, but the striker's volley finished just wide of the post.
Middlesbrough continued to dominate the early possession though, and broke the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes when Alexander Tettey tried to flick the ball clear from a corner, only to slice it into his own net.
Patrick Bamford had a chance to extend Boro's advantage just a couple of minutes later when he received a cross from Adomah, but the tight angle allowed John Ruddy to palm it clear.
The home side had to wait almost 20 minutes for their first real chance of the night, and it fell to Jonny Howson just a couple of yards out, but he managed to head it wide.
Norwich continued to look the more likely as half time approached, with Howson trying to get into space in the box, but Boro kept him closely marked, while Sebastien Bassong nodded just wide from a corner.
The Canaries pushed for an equaliser as the final minutes of the half approached, but Wes Hoolahan's long-range effort was watched all the way by Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, allowing the visiting keeper to leave his side ahead at the interval.
Sian Cowper
