This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2015/may/25/middlesborough-norwich-championship-play-off-final-live
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Middlesborough v Norwich: Championship play-off final – live! | Middlesborough v Norwich: Championship play-off final – live! |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.48pm BST15:48 | |
| 43 min: Russell Martin gets penalised for a foul on Lee Tomlin. Referee Mike Dean summons him for a talking-to, but keeps his yellow card in his pocket. From the ensuing free-kick, Grant Leadbitter plays the ball into the Norwich penalty area, where Alex Tetty is on hand to head clear. | |
| 3.46pm BST15:46 | |
| 42 min: Now George Friend attempts to pick out Bamford, but the pair get their wires crossed and the ball trickles harmlessly wide. | |
| 3.45pm BST15:45 | |
| 41 min: Middlesbrough hoof the ball the length of the vast expanse of greenery that separates their striker Patrick Bamford from the rest of his team-mates. Russell Martin and Sebastien Bassong clear easily, as you’d expect from two experienced central defenders marking a loan striker who’s cutting an increasingly isolated and forlorn figure. | |
| Updated at 3.48pm BST | |
| 3.44pm BST15:44 | |
| 40 min: Russell Martin pings the ball down the right flank for Norwich City, aiming for Nathan Redmond. The winger plays the ball inside towards Bradley Johnson, who finds himself outnumbered and loses possession. | |
| 3.42pm BST15:42 | |
| 38 min: Having been under the cosh for a few minutes, Norwich resume position and start pinging the ball around amongst themselves inside the Boro half, enjoying a period of sustained possession that has their supporters ole-ing to their hearts’ content. | |
| 3.40pm BST15:40 | |
| 37 min: George Friend wins another corner for Boro. Leadbitter whips the ball in to the area, where Steven Whittaker heads the ball out for another corner. Nothing comes of it and Norwich have a goal kick. | |
| 3.38pm BST15:38 | |
| 35 min: Sebastien Bassong gets penalised for handball in the Norwich City right-back position. Grant Leadbitter swings the ball into the penalty area, where John Ruddy punches clear. | |
| 3.37pm BST15:37 | |
| 33 min: In the battle of the centre-forwards, Cameron Jerome is winning comfortably. He may not have the natural talent of his opposite number Patrick Bamford, but he’s already got a goal to his name and is working tirelessly as Norwich’s first line of defence, pressing, tracking back and getting stuck into the tackle. Bamford, by contrast, has done little or nothing thus far. | |
| 3.34pm BST15:34 | |
| 30 min: Albert Adomah runs in behind Boro left-back Martin Olsson to get on the end of pass down the left and hook it across the face of goal, where Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy gathers comfortably with the help of Sebastien Bassong. Good work from the right-winger, who is being double-marked any time the ball comes near him. He slipped his security detail on that occasion. | |
| Updated at 3.35pm BST | |
| 3.33pm BST15:33 | |
| 29 min: The camera cuts to Delia Smith, whose visage appears on the giant Wembley scoreboard to cheers from the Norwich City fans. | |
| 3.31pm BST15:31 | |
| 28 min: Boro win a free-kick some way outside the Norwich penalty area, well left of centre. Leadbitter whips the ball towards the far post, where John Ruddy allows it to bounce wide. Leadbitter promptly berates his team-mates for failing to get in position to attack what was a decent dead ball delivery on his part. | |
| 3.30pm BST15:30 | |
| 27 min: Correction: Jelle Vossen was there to try and capitalise, but his weak header failed to trouble John Rddy in the Norwich goal. | |
| 3.29pm BST15:29 | |
| 26 min: George Friend whips the ball across the face of the Norwich City goal, but there’s nobody there to capitalise. | |
| 3.28pm BST15:28 | |
| 25 min: Steven Whittaker clears the ball down the right flank, but only as far as George Friend. Middlesbrough set off on another sortie into Norwich territory courtesy of Albert Adomah. | |
| 3.26pm BST15:26 | |
| 23 min: Leadbitter’s delivery is poor and fails to clear the first man. The corner is cleared at the near post. | |
| 3.25pm BST15:25 | |
| 22 min: Corner for Middlesbrough, which Grant Leadbitter will take. | |
| 3.24pm BST15:24 | |
| 20 min: Redmond stands the ball up at the far post, but with Dimi Konstantopolous out of the equation, Cameron Jerome is unable to reach it. Good defending from George Friend. Norwich are in danger of running amok here, unless Boro can regroup and settle into this match. Patrick Bamford hasn’t had a sniff of the ball yet and even more ominously for Middlesbrough ... neither has Wes Hoolahan, the creative force behind the side that is already two up. | |
| 3.21pm BST15:21 | |
| 17 min: That was a splendid goal by Norwich City. Whittaker and Redmond went a rampaging down the right flank, with the latter sprinting inside towards the penalty area to pick up the cross from his team-mate. His first touch was wonderful and his shot from approximately 14 yards nigh on unstoppable. With less than 20 minutes gone, Middlesbrough are already on the ropes. | |
| 3.19pm BST15:19 | |
| GOAL! Middlesbrough 0-2 Norwich City (Redmond 15) | |
| 15 min: Good lord, they’ve only gone and scored again. From the right flank, Steven Whittaker picks out Nathan Redmond in the penalty area and with a brilliant first touch, the midfielder takes Ben Gibson out of the game and gives himself a yard in which to shoot. Boom! Konstantopolous had no chance. | |
| Updated at 3.45pm BST | |
| 3.17pm BST15:17 | |
| 14 min: With less than 15 minutes gone, we’ve already seen one goal, as well as two shots hitting the woodwork. So much for this being cagey, tense and nervy, eh? | |
| 3.16pm BST15:16 | |
| GOAL! Middlesbrough 0-1 Norwich (Jerome 12) | |
| 13 min: Norwich take the lead. Daniel Ayala gets dispossessed by Cameron Jerome on the right side of his own penalty area. The striker advances towards goal and beats Dimi Konstantopolous at his near post with a low diagonal effort. Desperate defending and poor goalkeeping - the Canaries take first blood. | |
| Updated at 3.22pm BST | |
| 3.14pm BST15:14 | 3.14pm BST15:14 |
| 11 min: Oof! Now Middlesbrough hit the woodwork, with Jelle Vossen, my bet for first goalscorer, crashing a shot from distance off the crossbar. | 11 min: Oof! Now Middlesbrough hit the woodwork, with Jelle Vossen, my bet for first goalscorer, crashing a shot from distance off the crossbar. |
| 3.13pm BST15:13 | 3.13pm BST15:13 |
| 10 min: Norwich City miss the first and second chances of note in quick succession. Cameron Jerome should have done better after getting between defenders, only to miss a cross from the right completely. Following up, Bradley Johnson rattles the Boro crossbar with a rasping shot from distance. | 10 min: Norwich City miss the first and second chances of note in quick succession. Cameron Jerome should have done better after getting between defenders, only to miss a cross from the right completely. Following up, Bradley Johnson rattles the Boro crossbar with a rasping shot from distance. |
| 3.11pm BST15:11 | 3.11pm BST15:11 |
| 8 min: Nathan Redmond sends another cross into the Boro penalty area, but Dean Whitehead does well to prevent Jerome getting on the end of it. | 8 min: Nathan Redmond sends another cross into the Boro penalty area, but Dean Whitehead does well to prevent Jerome getting on the end of it. |
| 3.10pm BST15:10 | 3.10pm BST15:10 |
| 7 min: Nothing in the way of goal chances so far, but the game’s got off to a lively, if raggedy start. Tettey, Hoolahan and Jerome are putting the Boro back four under pressure whenever they find themselves with the ball. | 7 min: Nothing in the way of goal chances so far, but the game’s got off to a lively, if raggedy start. Tettey, Hoolahan and Jerome are putting the Boro back four under pressure whenever they find themselves with the ball. |
| 3.09pm BST15:09 | 3.09pm BST15:09 |
| 4 min: Both sides have lined up with similar formations, with two holding midfielders between their respective back fours and their three attacking midfielders. Both managers have gone for lone strikers. In Patrick Bamford, Middlesbrough have gone for a lone loan striker. | 4 min: Both sides have lined up with similar formations, with two holding midfielders between their respective back fours and their three attacking midfielders. Both managers have gone for lone strikers. In Patrick Bamford, Middlesbrough have gone for a lone loan striker. |
| 3.07pm BST15:07 | 3.07pm BST15:07 |
| 3 min: Nathan Redmond floats a cross into the Boro penalty for Bradley Johnson to head, but it’s a might too high. Boro clear their lines. | 3 min: Nathan Redmond floats a cross into the Boro penalty for Bradley Johnson to head, but it’s a might too high. Boro clear their lines. |
| 3.05pm BST15:05 | 3.05pm BST15:05 |
| 2 min: Lee Tomlin gets on the ball over on the far touchline, near the halfway line. It’s played back to his back four, who ping it around under a press from Cameron Jerome. | 2 min: Lee Tomlin gets on the ball over on the far touchline, near the halfway line. It’s played back to his back four, who ping it around under a press from Cameron Jerome. |
| 3.03pm BST15:03 | 3.03pm BST15:03 |
| 1 min: Norwich kick off and immediately hoof the ball forward. Middlesbrough return it to midfield, where PAtrick Bamford gets his first touch and is unceremoniously dispossessed by Alex Tetty. Game on! | 1 min: Norwich kick off and immediately hoof the ball forward. Middlesbrough return it to midfield, where PAtrick Bamford gets his first touch and is unceremoniously dispossessed by Alex Tetty. Game on! |
| 3.01pm BST15:01 | 3.01pm BST15:01 |
| 3.00pm BST15:00 | 3.00pm BST15:00 |
| National anthem: A lady named Hannah sings the national anthem and the players exchanged handshakes. On the face of it, Middlesbrough’s look slightly more relaxed. Fair dues to them, I’d be terrified. | National anthem: A lady named Hannah sings the national anthem and the players exchanged handshakes. On the face of it, Middlesbrough’s look slightly more relaxed. Fair dues to them, I’d be terrified. |
| 2.57pm BST14:57 | 2.57pm BST14:57 |
| Here we go then.... #Boro pic.twitter.com/M18xl3LjYp | Here we go then.... #Boro pic.twitter.com/M18xl3LjYp |
| 2.56pm BST14:56 | 2.56pm BST14:56 |
| Not long now: The teams line up in the Wembley tunnel with Middlesbrough’s players wearing red shirts with a white sash, white shorts and red socks. The players of Norwich will also wear their customary home kit of yellow and green shirts, green shorts and green and yellow socks with green trim. They march out on to the pitch and line-up for the pre-match niceties. Good luck to one and all; here’s hoping for a great game of football. | Not long now: The teams line up in the Wembley tunnel with Middlesbrough’s players wearing red shirts with a white sash, white shorts and red socks. The players of Norwich will also wear their customary home kit of yellow and green shirts, green shorts and green and yellow socks with green trim. They march out on to the pitch and line-up for the pre-match niceties. Good luck to one and all; here’s hoping for a great game of football. |
| 2.50pm BST14:50 | 2.50pm BST14:50 |
| Norwich City manager Alex Neill speaks: “Obviously we hope our players’ Premier League experience counts,” he says. “I’m going into the match with complete confidence in them and they have complete confidence in themselves. It’s fantastic.” | Norwich City manager Alex Neill speaks: “Obviously we hope our players’ Premier League experience counts,” he says. “I’m going into the match with complete confidence in them and they have complete confidence in themselves. It’s fantastic.” |
| 2.48pm BST14:48 | 2.48pm BST14:48 |
| Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka speaks: “I think everybody is excited,” he says. “It’s my first time in Wembley and I’m very pleased when I feel my crowd supporting us here and I feel my players are ready.” | Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka speaks: “I think everybody is excited,” he says. “It’s my first time in Wembley and I’m very pleased when I feel my crowd supporting us here and I feel my players are ready.” |
| 2.47pm BST14:47 | 2.47pm BST14:47 |
| Just 15 minutes until kick-off: The players of both teams have just traipsed off after their warm-ups and are back in the dressing rooms for their last-minute instructions. Wembley is jammed to the rafters, with both clubs having sold out their allocations. | Just 15 minutes until kick-off: The players of both teams have just traipsed off after their warm-ups and are back in the dressing rooms for their last-minute instructions. Wembley is jammed to the rafters, with both clubs having sold out their allocations. |
| 2.42pm BST14:42 | 2.42pm BST14:42 |
| Sky Sports pundit Peter Beagrie visits Boro’s training ground: He’s there to meet the team’s midfield duo Adam Clayton and Grant Leadbitter, who have played such a pivotal role in their side’s promotion push. Clayton is happy to admit he’s had to change his game this season, in order to do all his team-mate’s running for him. The good-humoured pair seem quietly confident ahead of the game tonight. | Sky Sports pundit Peter Beagrie visits Boro’s training ground: He’s there to meet the team’s midfield duo Adam Clayton and Grant Leadbitter, who have played such a pivotal role in their side’s promotion push. Clayton is happy to admit he’s had to change his game this season, in order to do all his team-mate’s running for him. The good-humoured pair seem quietly confident ahead of the game tonight. |
| “Their job today is to stop Hoolahan getting into those little pockets and to protect their back four,” says Harry Redknapp, who is standing pitchside at Wembley alongside Beagrie and Mark Warburton. “As a pair they’re so very effective,” says the former Brentford manager. | “Their job today is to stop Hoolahan getting into those little pockets and to protect their back four,” says Harry Redknapp, who is standing pitchside at Wembley alongside Beagrie and Mark Warburton. “As a pair they’re so very effective,” says the former Brentford manager. |
| 2.27pm BST14:27 | 2.27pm BST14:27 |
| On the subject of tense finals ... Why not while away the wait until kick-off with our brick-by-brick recreation of a certain Champions League final that took place 10 years ago. | On the subject of tense finals ... Why not while away the wait until kick-off with our brick-by-brick recreation of a certain Champions League final that took place 10 years ago. |
| 2.25pm BST14:25 | 2.25pm BST14:25 |
| 2.23pm BST14:23 | 2.23pm BST14:23 |
| 2.19pm BST14:19 | 2.19pm BST14:19 |
| Middlesbrough v Norwich City line-ups ... | Middlesbrough v Norwich City line-ups ... |
| Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Whitehead, Ayala, Gibson, Friend, Clayton, Leadbitter, Adomah, Vossen, Tomlin, Bamford. Subs: Garcia, Ripley, Reach, Nsue, Amorebieta, Forshaw, Woodgate. | Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Whitehead, Ayala, Gibson, Friend, Clayton, Leadbitter, Adomah, Vossen, Tomlin, Bamford. Subs: Garcia, Ripley, Reach, Nsue, Amorebieta, Forshaw, Woodgate. |
| Norwich: Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Olsson, Redmond, Howson, Tettey, Johnson, Hoolahan, Jerome. | Norwich: Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Olsson, Redmond, Howson, Tettey, Johnson, Hoolahan, Jerome. |
| Subs: Grabban, Hooper, Elliott Bennett, Ryan Bennett, Rudd, O’Neil, Dorrans. | Subs: Grabban, Hooper, Elliott Bennett, Ryan Bennett, Rudd, O’Neil, Dorrans. |
| Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral) | Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral) |
| 2.14pm BST14:14 | 2.14pm BST14:14 |
| TEAM NEWS: Dimi, Whitehead, Ayala, Gibson, Friend, Adomah, Leadbitter, Clayton, Tomlin, Vossen, Bamford. | TEAM NEWS: Dimi, Whitehead, Ayala, Gibson, Friend, Adomah, Leadbitter, Clayton, Tomlin, Vossen, Bamford. |
| #NCFC team vs @Boro: Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin (c), Bassong, Olsson; Redmond, Howson, Tettey, Johnson; Hoolahan; Jerome. #OurFinalStep | #NCFC team vs @Boro: Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin (c), Bassong, Olsson; Redmond, Howson, Tettey, Johnson; Hoolahan; Jerome. #OurFinalStep |
| 2.13pm BST14:13 | 2.13pm BST14:13 |
| Team news filtering through from Wembley ... | Team news filtering through from Wembley ... |
| Patrick Bamford starts up front for Middlesbrough, who also field Dean Whitehead at right-back. We’ll have the line-ups for you very shortly. | Patrick Bamford starts up front for Middlesbrough, who also field Dean Whitehead at right-back. We’ll have the line-ups for you very shortly. |
| 2.00pm BST14:00 | 2.00pm BST14:00 |
| 2.00pm BST14:00 | 2.00pm BST14:00 |
| 2.00pm BST14:00 | 2.00pm BST14:00 |
| Hello everybody ... | Hello everybody ... |
| Welcome to our minute-by-minute coverage of the Championship play-off final, the single most valuable one-off contest in world sport. Worth £120m to the winners, today’s match is being contested by Middlesbrough and Norwich, with the winners advancing to the promised land that is the Premier League, while the losers can look forward to another season of toil and graft in the Championship. | Welcome to our minute-by-minute coverage of the Championship play-off final, the single most valuable one-off contest in world sport. Worth £120m to the winners, today’s match is being contested by Middlesbrough and Norwich, with the winners advancing to the promised land that is the Premier League, while the losers can look forward to another season of toil and graft in the Championship. |
| Just one point separated Norwich and Middlesbrough in the table as they finished third and fourth respectively, but Boro could be forgiven for thinking they have the edge of their East Anglian rivals, having emerged victorious from both their league encounters this season. One suspects that’ll mean little or nothing this afternoon, however, on an unspeakably tense occasion for both sets of fans who may well be aware that the bookies can barely split the two sides when it comes to picking their idea of a likely winner. Kick-off is at 3pm (BST), but we’ll have team news and build-up an hour before that. | Just one point separated Norwich and Middlesbrough in the table as they finished third and fourth respectively, but Boro could be forgiven for thinking they have the edge of their East Anglian rivals, having emerged victorious from both their league encounters this season. One suspects that’ll mean little or nothing this afternoon, however, on an unspeakably tense occasion for both sets of fans who may well be aware that the bookies can barely split the two sides when it comes to picking their idea of a likely winner. Kick-off is at 3pm (BST), but we’ll have team news and build-up an hour before that. |