Middlesbrough 0-1 Norwich: Onel Hernandez hits brilliant second-half winner to put Canaries five points clear at Championship summit

Middlesbrough 0-1 Norwich: Onel Hernandez hits brilliant second-half winner to put Canaries five points clear at Championship summit
Norwich took another step towards the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough, whose own promotion chances have nosedived in recent weeks.The victory came courtesy of Onel Hernandez’s second-half goal to leave the Canaries five points clear at the top of the Sky Bet Championship and seven points better off than third-placed Sheffield United after a fine run of form.2

Daniel Farke’s men are closing in on promotion to the Premier League

Daniel Farke’s side have now won seven games in a row, but the result marked Boro’s fourth successive defeat and sees them drop out of the play-off places, leapfrogged by Aston Villa, Derby and Bristol City.Middlesbrough started this contest promisingly, putting Norwich on the backfoot.George Friend, former Norwich man Jonny Howson and Ashley Fletcher all had shots at Tim Krul’s goal, though for all of Boro’s pressure the goalkeeper was not seriously tested.It was Middlesbrough’s Darren Randolph who, while his team shaded an entertaining first half, made the more impressive saves.A tremendous stop saw him push Teemu Pukki’s effort away, and Randolph was again to the rescue when Ryan Shotton horribly misjudged a punt down the middle, allowing the ball to bounce through to Pukki before Boro’s keeper dashed off his line to block at the Finn’s feet.2

Onel Hernandez, left, was Norwich’s match-winner at the Riverside on Saturday evening

Randolph also showed good reactions when, with Pukki ready to pounce, he pushed away a bouncing Marco Stiepermann cross-shot.Just like the first 45 minutes, Middlesbrough made a promising start to the second half.Within 60 seconds of the restart they hit the post, Daniel Ayala with a header after a Shotton throw, and Howson saw a low shot after a free-kick gathered by Krul.The only goal of the game came after 54 minutes, and, while harsh on Middlesbrough on the balance of play, they had only themselves to blame.Fletcher did not deal with a ball swung in from a wide area and then Howson tried to dribble his way out of trouble. Norwich won the ball back and Hernandez nipped inside the penalty area to shoot low between the post and Randolph. It was his seventh league goal of the season and he tried for an eighth later but Randolph was equal to it after Pukki had teed up his team-mate.Boro boss Tony Pulis made three substitutions as he sought to find a way back into the contest and Boro did come close to levelling, their best chance being when substitute Stewart Downing had a powerful header hooked away from the line by the outstretched boot of Christoph Zimmermann.And in added time Norwich defended in numbers to protect their lead, a blocked John Obi Mikel shot being Boro’s last hope of point.

---

Arsenal transfer news: Mesut Ozil could be sold to fund new signings, former Gunners striker Alan Smith tells talkSPORT Two-time title winner concedes it may be time for the Gunners to offload
Mesut Ozil could be sold to fund new signings, former Gunners

---

In the Premier League, all of Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham have also been named as suitors of the twice-capped international. Brugge, for their part, though, aware that a bidding war could
~ Transfer news and football gossip: Manchester United want

---

LONDON: The Czech Republic are hoping to exploit a perceived weakness in England's defence by targeting centre back Harry Maguire during their Euro 2020 qualifier on Friday, striker Matej Vydra has said.
England star a weak link we can exploit, insists Czech

---

Liverpool fans laugh at England supporters for 'pathetic' booing of Virgil van Dijk Written by: fpnews Posted on: June 6, 2019 Liverpool's talismanic centre-back Virgil van Dijk was booed by England fans during their UEFA Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands on Thursday night.
Liverpool fans laugh at England supporters for 'pathetic

---

Looking back at Lionel Messi's best hat-tricks as Barcelona superstar scores 50th career treble against Sevilla 23 Feb Lionel Messi achieved yet another amazing landmark after netting his 50th career hat-trick as Barcelona claimed a 4-2 LaLiga win over Sevilla.
~ Sofaz Band brings the house down with electro-beat at

---

Jan 11, 2019 · Cesc Fàbregas has left Chelsea for the Ligue 1 side Monaco. The 31-year-old will join his former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry, who is battling to prevent Monaco being relegated. "Wow. I'm
Cesc Fabregas completes switch to Monaco from Chelsea to

---

Luther Blissett has slammed Wolves star Raul Jimenez saying he should be 'embarrassed' after his celebration following his goal against Watford at Wembley. At the time the goal put Wolves 2-0 up
Talk Sport | SportSpyder

---

West Ham United have been linked with an extraordinary move for Mario Balotelli this month. The former Liverpool and Manchester City striker is being lined up for a move this month as the Hammers prepare a contingency plan in case Marko Arnautovic decides to leave the club.
West Ham transfer round-up: Drinkwater, Maja, Balotelli and

---

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain reportedly had a clause in his contract that meant Arsenal would have to pay Southampton £10,000 every time he played 20 minutes or more. Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had unusual clause in his Arsenal

---

Ashley Cole impresses in MLS as LA Galaxy aim for play-offs This was a disappointing season for a side which wants to win it all, but 2017 was even worse. Ashley Cole has backed Zlatan
Ashley Cole released by LA Galaxy as part of year-end roster

---

Premier League scores tonight: Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United

---

Cardiff Met Uni FC hero dreaming of Manchester United tie as student team makes Europa League preliminary round fpnews May 23, 2019 0 When Kyle McCarthy put his name down to join Cardiff Metropolitan University's football team nobody could have predicted they'd get to a point where they might face the likes of Manchester United, Rangers and
~ UFC 235 Jones vs Smith live stream: Details for title fight

---