Borja Sainz’s moment of madness cost Norwich City three points and the chance to break into the top six as they were beaten 3-1 by Middlesbrough.
The Canaries were in cruise control after Ashley Barnes’ deserved early opener gave them the lead, but Sainz’s first-half sending off left them a man down for more than 60 minutes at the Riverside Stadium.
The defeat means Norwich remain seventh in the Championship table and two points away from the play-off places ahead of bottom side’s Rotherham’s visit on Saturday.
The visitors started on the front foot, controlling the ball and dominating a side used to having their own way in the possession stakes. They struggled to turn that into real chances, however, Barnes the first to break into the box but miscontrolling in the sixth minute.
Dimitris Giannoulis then rounded the goalkeeper after latching into Gabriel Sara’s pass shortly afterwards, but he was denied by Boro goalkeeper Semi Dieng before Sainz’s half-volley flew comfortably wide.
Josh Sargent found an opening in the 11th minute when the ball broke to him on the edge of the box, firing goalward with power and earning a corner when his shot was deflected wide.
Barnes had perhaps the best chance yet when Giannoulis whipped a fearsome low ball into his path, the former Burnley man’s left-footed attempt beaten away by Dieng.
Marcus Forss had an attempt of sorts for the home side when they constructed a brief rebuttal in the 16th minute, but before long they were behind.
A combination of Barnes’ third and fourth chances of the game opened the scoring after he’d scuffed his initial volley, but there were few complaints from the Riverside away end about the quality of the strike. It was no surprise the assist came from Gabriel Sara, whose delicate chip was his 17th goal contribution of the season.
From there the game was headed in a simple direction, with City coasting towards a comfortable three points and the play-off places they’ve craved for months now.
But just as moments of brilliance have saved David Wagner’s side numerous times this season, one rash and thoughtless decision jeopardised a huge chance to gain their first away win in more than a month.
Sainz had already claimed one needless red card in the 1-0 loss to West Brom on Boxing Day, but his spat with former Canary Jonny Howson proved he’d learned nothing from that encounter. City skipper Grant Hanley’s furious reaction to the Spaniard’s kick out told the story, with no complaints from Sainz when Bobby Madley reached into his back pocket.
Thereafter the downfall was inevitable, with eight minutes of last-ditch defending ended by Forss’ tap-in from close range. Emmanuel Latte-Lath completed the turnaround on the stroke of half time, sliding past Angus Gunn while enjoying the freedom of the Norwich box.
Marcelino Nunez’ introduction at the break turned City into a narrow and direct side, with the intention for Barnes and Sargent to turn whatever scraps they could into the chance to earn them a point.
It was Boro with first opening of the second period, however, Riley McGree stepping up after Kenny McLean’s foul but blasting his free-kick straight into the wall.
The same man then looked to atone for his poor set-piece when he drove a low short towards the bottom corner from a tight angle, but Gunn stood firm at his near post.
Howson was next to take aim as the onslaught continued, curling just wide from 25 yards out.
Effective collection of a second ball then gave Norwich some respite and found Sargent in space to attack the Middlesbrough box, but Barnes was penalised for offside in the build-up. The American had another chance to do so when Nunez sent him away on the counter, but lacked the imagination to round Matt Clarke.
The game was well and truly over in the 62nd minute when Lukas Engel scored the home side’s third of the evening, volleying into the corner with aplomb from Luke Ayling’s deep cross.
There were moments of hope provided from set-pieces and fleeting hints of revival as the game wore on, but in truth City’s hopes had ended when one inexplicable moment decided the game in the 29th minute.
MIDDLESBROUGH:
Substitutes:
23. Glover (GK)
4. Barlaser
11. Jones
14. Gilbert
15. Dijksteel
18. Silvera
20. Azaz
29. Greenwood
33. Thomas
Head Coach: Michael Carrick
Bookings:
Goals: Forss (37), Latte Lath (44), Engel (62)
NORWICH CITY:
Substitutes:
12. Long (GK)
8. Gibbs
14. van Hooijdonk
15. McCallum
19. Sorensen
21. Batth
26. Nunez
35. Fisher
43. Welch
Head Coach: David Wagner
Bookings:
Sent off: Sainz (29)
Goals: Barnes (21)
PLAYER RATINGS
Gunn 5, Stacey 5, Hanley 4, Gibson 6, Giannoulis 7, McLean 6, Sara 6, Fassnacht 5, Barnes 6, Sainz 2, Sargent 5. SUBS: Nunez 6, Sorensen 6, Gibbs 5, van Hooijdonk 5, Welch 5.
MATCH STATISTICS
Possession: 63%-37%
Shots: 13-7
On target: 7-3
Corners: 2-2
Fouls: 9-8
Added time: 3 mins/4 mins
REFEREE: Robert Madley
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