Middlesbrough extended their unbeaten home run to five games and moved into an automatic promotion spot thanks to a 4-0 win over Norwich City this evening.
A swift counter-attack from Aitor Karanka's side inside the opening five minutes culminated in Albert Adomah's left-wing cross falling to Patrick Bamford, who stooped to plant a header beyond John Ruddy in the Norwich goal.
The home side extended their advantage just after the half-hour mark when Russell Martin felled George Friend in the box, with Grant Leadbitter comfortably converting the resulting penalty.
Kike then dribbled his way into the Norwich box and teed up Bamford, but the on-loan Chelsea striker fired wastefully over the bar.
Former Norwich defender Daniel Ayala's header from Adam Reach's cross 10 minutes after the restart flew wide of goal, before Ruddy tipped a long-range Leadbitter effort around the post as Middlesbrough pushed for a third.
That third came through Leadbitter, who met Lee Tomlin's cross and sent a cushioned header beyond Ruddy on 69 minutes.
Leadbitter then turned provider as his corner was dropped by Ruddy six yards out leaving substitute Yannick Wildschut to fire into an empty net and wrap up the win.
The result moves Middlesbrough onto 30 points, level with Bournemouth who moved into top spot with a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Joe Sharratt
