Photo via Sky Sports

Boro strike late to beat Norwich in epic encounter

Middlesbrough secured a pulsating 4-3 victory over Norwich City at the Riverside Stadium, capped by Ashley Phillips' decisive late strike to seal their third consecutive home triumph. The visitors struck inside the opening minute when Mohamed Toure finished off an Andre Brooks setup, but Boro responded rapidly.

Summer recruit Sebastian Berhalter smashed home an equaliser off the woodwork, and full league debutant Amario Cozier-Duberry put the hosts in front shortly after from Tommy Conway's feed. Berhalter then diverted Callum Brittain's wayward effort into the net during the 36th minute to hand Kim Hellberg's men a commanding 3-1 advantage at the interval.

Philippe Clement's Norwich mounted an impressive second-half fightback through their bench, with Jovon Makama finishing Jacob Wright's assist with twenty minutes remaining before Wright himself bundled in an equaliser following an Anthony Musaba attempt saved by Radek Vitek. However, Tottenham loanee Phillips had the ultimate say in the closing moments, steering in Will Lankshear's pass to break his league scoring duck and ensure Middlesbrough took all three points from the seven-goal spectacle.