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Middlesbrough 0-2 Norwich City: Play-off final talking points

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 25:  Cameron Jerome of Norwich City (10) is congratulated by Martin Olsson (23) and team mates as he scores their first goal during t

Early goals from Cameron Jerome and Nathan Redmond put Norwich in the ascendancy at Wembley and Middlesbrough could find no way back as Alex Neil’s men won 2-0 to storm into the Premier League in style.

Why couldn’t Middlesbrough cope with the Canaries in the opening phase of the game and how will Norwich get on in the top flight?

We pick out the main talking points from Monday’s Championship play-off final…

What happened to Boro?

Wembley is not a stage on which to freeze but it was difficult to escape the feeling that the usually impressive Daniel Ayala did just that when the key moment came early in the game. The dawdling on the ball was a mistake with Jerome lurking, but the error was really compounded when he spent a moment looking to the referee in the vain hope of hearing a whistle after he’d been dispossessed. Instinct ought to have seen him chase down the Norwich striker as he moved towards goal but Ayala’s senses appeared dulled rather than heightened by the magnitude of the occasion.

Norwich City's Martin Olsson brings down Middlesbrough's Patrick Bamford as Alexander Tettey looks on during the English Championship play off final
Image: Patrick Bamford really struggled to get involved in the game early on

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Aitor Karanka claims it wasn't the right time for Middlesbrough to go up

Both teams had already hit the crossbar by that point but perhaps the moment that set the tone came in the opening minutes when Patrick Bamford thought he’d been on the receiving end of a robust challenge only to see referee Mike Dean wave play on. Boro just couldn’t get the on-loan Chelsea man involved. Bamford had only nine touches in the opening 45 minutes. Every Norwich player had at least 19. “That long ball up to Bamford,” said Andy Hinchcliffe on co-commentary for Sky Sports. “He doesn’t stand a chance. It’s food and drink for Norwich and it’s got to get better.”

Norwich just too good

Aitor Karanka’s men did improve after the interval but by then the damage had been done. “That first-half performance was the best I’ve seen from them with and without the ball,” said Hinchcliffe. “It was blistering.” While Middlesbrough had beaten Norwich 4-0 in November, this was a very different team. Since Neil’s appointment in January, Norwich have picked up the most points in the Championship, lost the fewer games and conceded the fewest number of goals. This Wembley performance might have been hugely impressive but nobody could argue it was unexpected.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 25:  Cameron Jerome of Norwich City (10) scores their first goal past gaolakeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos of Middlesbrough during t
Image: Daniel Ayala's error was punished by Cameron Jerome for the opener

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Cameron Jerome believes Norwich deserved their play-off victory

Jerome led the way and not just with his opening goal. “He has absolutely bullied the two Middlesbrough centre-halves,” said Hinchcliffe. “When he’s got the ball he’s a danger and when he hasn’t got it he closes them down.” Nathan Redmond wasn’t far behind and scored a fine second to double the lead, while Wes Hoolahan showed moments of trademark quality in support. Throughout the game there was the work of Bradley Johnson and Alex Tettey providing the platform for those further forward to play their own game.

Can the Canaries thrive?

“They deserve to play in the Premier League next season,” added Hinchcliffe. But how will they fare among the big boys? The last team to go up through the play-offs were Queens Park Rangers and that adventure ended swiftly with the R’s finishing bottom at the first attempt. However, there is encouragement too given that the three previous play-off winners – Swansea, West Ham and Crystal Palace – are not only still in the Premier League but all of them finished among the top 12 places in the 2014/15 season.

Norwich City's Cameron Jerome celebrates scoring his sides first goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Final at Wembley Stadium, London
Image: Cameron Jerome was too hot for the Middlesbrough defence to handle

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Norwich boss Alex Neil gave his players the credit for their Wembley triumph

And yet, it’s the identity of the manager who galvanised them in such a short space of time that will really provide hope and excitement ahead of Norwich’s Premier League return.  “He’s been an inspiration,” said Hinchcliffe. If Neil can replicate anything like the belief and quality of football that they came up with in the second half of this season when it mattered most then it would be difficult to bet against Norwich continuing their revival into the 2015/16 campaign. 

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