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When Norwich recently put together a run of just one win from eight matches, Dean Smith would have understood that he was under pressure to arrest that slump in order for the club to remain in contention for automatic promotion.
Fortunately for the Canaries boss, his players responded when required, collecting seven points from matches with Stoke City, Queens Park Rangers and Rotherham United.
Curiously, the resurgence has come when the goals have dried up for the forward line, Aston Villa loanee Aaron Ramsey instead contributing three of Norwich’s last five strikes from midfield.
Smith will only see the positives in that situation with Norwich having previously been over-reliant on Josh Sargent and Teemu Pukki, yet he will hope that at least one of the pair can return to form at the weekend.
Despite possessing the seventh-best home record in the division, Norwich have only prevailed in one of their last five outings at Carrow Road.
Twenty minutes later, Norwich’s Max Aarons was brought down in the box by Hayden Coulson and Teemu Pukki coolly sent home keeper Marcus Bettinelli the wrong way.
Boro could not create much in the closing stages, although Britt Assombalonga was denied from close range by an excellent Grant Hanley block.
Dropped points for Reading and Watford mean Daniel Farke’s Canaries are a point clear at the summit, while their opponents drop a spot to eighth after a first defeat in 11 league games.
In a match between two of the Championship’s best defences the lack of clear-cut opportunities was no surprise, though Marvin Johnson twice called Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul into action in the first half.
Middlesbrough were awarded a spot-kick when Tavernier was brought down by ex-Boro centre-back Ben Gibson and though the penalty was scored, it was ruled out as the midfielder had been unfortunate to touch the ball twice as he lost his footing.
Norwich gained impetus from their stroke of luck and Emi Buendia almost connected with Przemyslaw Placheta’s low cross before half-time substitute Pukki side-footed his penalty into the corner.
Marc Bola put his body on the line to prevent the visitors scoring a second but Boro failed to score for a third match running and have now lost each of their last five league games against Norwich by a 1-0 scoreline.
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock told BBC Tees:
“The left-back [Jacob Sorensen] should have been sent-off. The referee tells me that he didn’t think he was going to catch the ball but when you look at it, it’s only gone 10 yards past him.
“He’s already been booked, we should have been playing against 10 men, but that’s how it goes. And I’d have given the Norwich penalty if I was refereeing.
“I felt we had the best chances. I don’t think Marcus [Bettinelli] has had a shot to save today.
“I am actually enjoying watching us play. I think we’ve got a great bunch of lads. We’re a little bit limited, as we know, but they’re doing their best.”
Norwich manager Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Norfolk:
“To be on top of the league is good for the mood and also for the confidence but it’s not important at the moment after 12 games, what counts is where you are after 46 games.
“Middlesbrough is a tough place to go, they were on an eight-game unbeaten run and conceding just one goal in their last seven games so, that shows the size of the task today.
“It was a difficult game, keeping in mind we have several injuries and some players coming back from the international break, it’s always tricky.
“Three points and a clean sheet seems massive today so compliments to the lads.”
Although Smith felt that Norwich did not produce their best performance at Rotherham, it may not stop the same Norwich starting lineup from being selected for this contest.
Todd Cantwell is most likely to be brought into the team should a change be made, potentially replacing Gabriel Sara.
Barring any unforeseen injury issues, Carrick has no reason to make any alterations to his Middlesbrough side.
Marcus Forss has impressed since Carrick’s arrival and will continue in attack, with Akpom’s deeper role leading to Matt Crooks having to accept a place among the replacements.
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The likes of Paddy McNair and Alex Mowatt will also have to stay patient for a recall to the team.
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, McCallum; Sara, Hayden, McLean; Ramsey; Pukki, Sargent
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Steffen; Smith, Fry, Lenihan, Giles; Howson, Hackney; Jones, Akpom, McGree; Forss