Norwich 1-2 Middlesbrough: Rob Edwards Championship verdict

Middlesbrough put boss Rob Edwards through the wringer before a 2-1 away win at Norwich City preserved their faultless Championship start.

The Teessiders cashed in on sloppy turnover work from the hosts to seal the points through Finn Azaz and Tommy Conway.

But Canaries’ captain Josh Sargent’s fourth in four games made for a tense finale at Carrow Road.

“It shouldn't (have got that uncomfortable). Again, that's credit to them as much as we we’re probably a little bit wasteful in front of goal,” said Edwards. “We should be ruthless and we should score, but it becomes nervy. I understand that from the boys’ point of view.

"I've been out there before when the pressure is relieved from them, they can just go and throw everything at it. We gave them an oxygen, and belief, and the supporters as well believed it inside the stadium, and they gathered momentum. We shouldn't have allowed that to happen.

“A difficult place to come, because they're good. Liam (Manning's) good. I think you could see early on in the game it was quite close. You could see both teams have got some good players, and it was interesting, because both of us were almost trying to do the same thing to each other at times.

“They then got a bit of control, because we were bit sloppy with the ball, and we had to make some adjustments. We were able to get our pressing right, and obviously to get the goals we did was brilliant. A high press regain like that can be as good as having an unbelievable number 10 who's supplying you with through balls.

"We talked at half-time about not giving them oxygen and any sort of belief. Typical football we didn't take that chance to go 3-0 which would have then killed it. Sargent's a really good player, gets in and scores, which then just ignited everything again and the game became quite random.”

Boro and Stoke are now the only two Championship clubs with maximum points.

“I’m pleased with the spirit. I think they are really buying into the work ethic and everything that we want to try and build here,” said Edwards. “We've got a connection with the supporters so I’m happy but well aware that it's a start. That's all it is, and things can change quickly in football. Let's not get carried away.”

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