In a rollicking good game at Wembley this afternoon, Alex Neil and his Norwich side emerged victorious over Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough and will now prepare for life in the Premier League after a convincing 0-2 win.
Absolutely outstanding in the first half, the Canaries went into the break 0-2 ahead after goals from Cameron Jerome and Nathan Redmond and ‘Boro weren’t able to pull it around in the second period of the game, despite a more even feel to the play.
The tie started off in emphatic fashion, with both sides hitting the crossbar in the opening exchanges, before Jerome broke through and was able to slot one past the Middlesbrough ‘keeper at his near post. Neil’s men rarely looked back and added a second one thanks to the outstanding Redmond later on in the half.
The Norwich win was matched at a high of [2.86], and [5.9] was the highest price traded on them to be promoted to the top flight this season.
Neil and his side will know there is much to do if they are to emulate Leicester City and survive next season, however. The market will undoubtedly have the East Anglian side at a very short price to stay just one season in the Premier League, and although at just 33 Alex Neil is one of the younger and more dynamic managers around, his lack of experience may prove a barrier to success in 2015/16.
But, that’s for another day. Today is all about celebrating a huge achievement. Norwich have made it to the promised land.
