Norwich City stretched their unbeaten run to eight with a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough on Saturday thanks to Teemu Pukki's second half penalty.

Daniel Farke made three changes to the side that started our 1-0 win at home to Swansea City two weeks ago, Ben Gibson, Lukas Rupp and Jordan Hugill coming in for Christoph Zimmermann, Kenny McLean and Pukki respectively.

The first half was one of few clear cut chances, Emi Buendia getting things going with a shot just wide of the post from outside the D five minutes in.

At the other end, the Argentine carried out his defensive duties, making the block and clearance from a dangerous Marcus Tavernier free-kick.

There was concern around the fitness of Jordan Hugill early on, who went down holding his shoulder, but was able to carry on after receiving treatment from the medical staff.

Jacob Sorensen was then booked for a late challenge on former Canary Jonny Howson.

Middlesbrough grew into the first half, Djed Spence putting a cross into the six-yard box that Gibson had to put out for a corner just shy of the half-hour mark.

However, City had another sight of goal moments later, Marco Stiepermann pulling the ball back to Lukas Rupp, who charged into space and let fly from distance, the shot sailing well wide of the post.

George Saville’s cross was headed straight at Tim Krul by Howson in the 36th minute, before the Dutchman made another save to deny Marvin Johnson’s driven effort from distance in the 38th.

On the brink of half-time, Buendia showed excellent skill to get past a handful of Boro players in the final third. He then found Stiepermann, whose shot was blocked as Neil Warnock’s side got men behind the ball.

At the start of the second half, Pukki replaced Hugill for City.

But the Canaries were on the back foot, and Gibson conceded a penalty with a foul on Tavernier in the 50th minute.

Tavernier stepped up to take the spot-kick and he did send Krul the wrong way, but Tony Harrington ruled the goal out as he spotted that Tavernier had kicked the ball with his left foot onto his standing right foot when he took the shot.

Pukki had the ball in the danger area shortly after, receiving it from Buendia after Oliver Skipp did well to send City on the counter-attack, but Dael Fry made a good tackle. Pukki's next attempt hit the side netting.

Max Aarons sent a cross in for Buendia just beyond the hour-mark, but it was headed straight at Dejan Stojanovic.

Middlesbrough had a couple of glimpses with just over 20 minutes remaining, Marc Bola seeing a shot well blocked by Grant Hanley and Tavernier smashing a volley well over the crossbar.

City found the breakthrough moments later, Max Aarons winning a penalty after a foul from Coulson. Pukki made no mistake, slotting the ball nicely into the bottom right corner for 1-0.

The Canaries continued to defend well, Krul catching from Folarin's effort with just over ten minutes to go.

Middlesbrough: Bettinelli, Dijksteel, Fry, McNair, Bola, Spence (Folarin 67'), Saville, Howson, Tavernier (Roberts 81'), Johnson (Coulson 67'), Akpom (Assombalonga (73')

Subs not used: Stojanovic, Wood, Hall, Wing, Watmore

Goals:

Bookings: 

Norwich City: Krul, Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Sorensen (Vrancic 90+4'), Rupp, Skipp, Buendia (McLean 80'), Stiepermann (Tettey 90+2'), Placheta (Zimmermann 90+2'), Hugill (Pukki 46')

Subs not used: McGovern, Barden, McAlear, Martin

Goals: Pukki (72')

Bookings: Sorensen (15’)

Referee: Tony Harrington