Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Royal |
Match Report
There is a slight drizzle in the air here at Carrow Road where Norwich City play host to Middlesbrough. A crowd of 19,495 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Norwich City are playing in a 3-4-3 formation while Middlesbrough appear to be shaped for 4-2-4.
Today's match is refereed by Scott Mccall.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Norwich City are playing in a 3-4-3 formation while Middlesbrough appear to be shaped for 4-2-4.
Today's match is refereed by Scott Mccall.
0.00
0-0Norwich City start the match!
2.40
0-0Noel Brown takes it forward alone. Noel Brown lofts in a cross ball towards Stuart Standing. Stuart Standing finds space and glances the ball goalwards with his head. The ball hits the post, bouncing back into play. Norwich City are unable to capitalise and the keeper manages to gather up the loose ball.
6.24
0-0Without breaking stride, Vincent Collins plays the ball forward to Alfred Crooks. Alfred Crooks knocks the ball to his team mate, Walter Tisci. Walter Tisci knocks in a cross ball towards Alexandru Cuza. Alexandru Cuza knocks the ball goalwards with his head but Andres Helguera reads it well. Fabulous save!
9.09
James Diaz makes a simple pass to Alfred Crooks. Alfred Crooks flicks a high pass forward to Walter Tisci who brings the ball under control. Walter Tisci finds some space and shoots from distance. Superb reactions from Andres Helguera. What a save!
10.44
0-1Alfred Crooks darts forward. Alfred Crooks makes a defence splitting pass to Vesa Salminen. Some silky footwork from Vesa Salminen provides him some room. He curls a shot at goal which easily beats the keeper. Goal!!
20.26
Alfred Crooks controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Vesa Salminen. Vesa Salminen whips in a cross ball towards Alexandru Cuza. Alexandru Cuza powers a header at goal. The ball is well placed but the keeper is more than a match for it. Quality keeping!
22.28
With vision, Scott Williamson laces a through ball forward to Stephen Fortune. Stephen Fortune plays a one-two with Geoffrey Gautier and rushes in on goal... Stephen Fortune tries a spectacular strike but slams it into the crowd!
26.09
Vincent Collins flicks a high ball forward to Facundo Rivero who takes it down. Facundo Rivero hits a low pass to Vesa Salminen. Vesa Salminen shoots from outside the area. Andres Helguera effortlessly gets down and covers it.
27.24
Daniel Fenton flicks a high pass forward. Stephen Fortune controls it well on his chest. Stephen Fortune knocks in a cross ball towards Geoffrey Gautier. Geoffrey Gautier makes a convincing header. The ball dips under the bar and into the back of the net. Goal!!
32.51
1-1Alfred Crooks clumsily knocks into Scott Williamson. The referee calls over Alfred Crooks and warns him to calm down! Scott Williamson gets up, but that knock is affecting his game.
45.00
The referee blows for the end of the first half
Both teams emerge for the second half. Norwich City have changed their lineup with Alexander Brown replacing Scott Williamson. Middlesbrough appear unchanged since the first half. The Norwich City players look more determined than they did at the start of the game.
45.00
Middlesbrough start the second half!
47.29
João Lugo runs forward with the ball. João Lugo passes the ball forward to Oscar Silva. Oscar Silva lofts in a cross ball towards Alexandru Cuza. Alexandru Cuza shows true skill creating a chance out of nothing and knocks the ball goalwards with his head which easily beats the keeper. Goal!!
51.54
Alfred Crooks makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Vesa Salminen. Vesa Salminen shoots from outside the area. The ball swerves viciously but the keeper is more than a match for it. Quality keeping!
57.56
Alfred Crooks knocks the ball to his team mate, Vesa Salminen. Vesa Salminen flicks a high pass forward. Walter Tisci controls it well on his chest and turns goalwards. Walter Tisci shows great control and tries a shot on goal but he balloons it over the crossbar!
59.04
Geoffrey Gautier clumsily knocks into James Diaz. The referee calls over Geoffrey Gautier and shows him a yellow card! James Diaz carries on, but is struggling a bit.
60.52
João Lugo controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Facundo Rivero. Facundo Rivero flicks a high pass forward to Vesa Salminen who brings the ball under control. Vesa Salminen plays a quick one-two with Oscar Silva and rushes in on goal... Vesa Salminen strikes a beautiful right-footed shot at goal but somehow Andres Helguera manages to keep it out.
61.25
Edmundo Verges deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Noel Brown. Noel Brown threads a neat ball through to Stuart Standing. Stuart Standing shoots from 25 yards but he skews it badly. The ball flies well over the bar!
67.03
James Diaz makes a strong solo run forward. James Diaz deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Walter Tisci. Walter Tisci shoots from 20 yards. The ball dips but the keeper is a match for it. Fabulous stop!
72.14
Ali Comisetti flicks the ball to his team mate, Alfred Crooks. Alfred Crooks hits a low pass to Oscar Silva. Oscar Silva shoots from outside the area but it slams into the crowd!
73.43
Alexander Brown flicks the ball to his team mate, Stuart Standing. Stuart Standing lofts in a cross ball towards Stephen Fortune. Stephen Fortune connects with a diving header. Vasyl Levchenko gathers the ball up comfortably. Top class keeping!
75.09
Alfred Crooks threads a neat ball through to Oscar Silva. Oscar Silva whips in a cross ball towards Walter Tisci. Walter Tisci connects with the ball, driving a powerful header at goal but he skews it badly. The ball flies well over the bar!
77.09
1-2Norwich City have made a substitution with Sylvain Shearer replacing Geoffrey Gautier and appear to have rearranged themselves into a 4-3-3 formation.
79.25
Alfred Crooks threads the ball through to Vesa Salminen. Vesa Salminen tries a spectacular long range effort. The ball edges inside the post - goal!!
85.12
Alfred Crooks sees a break and surges forward. Alfred Crooks shoots from long range but he balloons it over the crossbar!
87.47
Alexander Brown comes in with a late challenge on Alfred Crooks. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Alfred Crooks gets up, but that knock is affecting his game.
90.00
The whistle indicates full-time!
Match Statistics
Goals
1
3
Shots on Target
2
10
Shots off Target
3
4
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
2
1
Yellow Cards
2
0
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
43.1%
56.9%
Play Area
27.8%
47.2%
25%
Scorers
| Geoffrey Gautier 27 | Vesa Salminen 10, 79 Alexandru Cuza 47 |
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Vesa Salminen of Middlesbrough |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Andres Helguera (GK) | 8 | |
| 2. | Edmundo Verges (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Bernard Berthelin (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Farid Trévisan (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Daniel Fenton (MID) | 6 | |
| 6. | Scott Williamson (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Noel Brown (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Steve Dyer (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Geoffrey Gautier (ATT) |   | 7 |
| 10. | Stuart Standing (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Stephen Fortune (ATT) | 7 | |
| 12. | Sylvain Shearer (ATT) | 6 | |
| 13. | Alexander Brown (DEF) | | 5 |
| 14. | Simon Mowbray (GK) | 0 | |
| 1. | Vasyl Levchenko (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Ali Comisetti (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | João Lugo (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Vincent Collins (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | James Diaz (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Facundo Rivero (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Alfred Crooks (MID) | 9 | |
| 8. | Oscar Silva (ATT) | 6 | |
| 9. | Vesa Salminen (ATT) | | 9 |
| 10. | Alexandru Cuza (ATT) | | 7 |
| 11. | Walter Tisci (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Scott Batty (DEF) | 0 | |
| 13. | Edward Thatcher (MID) | 0 | |
| 14. | Leon Flores (ATT) | 0 | |