Kim Hellberg praised Middlesbrough’s “fighting” defensive qualities as they moved level on points with Sky Bet Championships leaders Coventry courtesy of a 1-0 win over Norwich at the Riverside.
Boro had won their two previous home matches 4-0, but while they created a number of chances against an in-form Norwich side, they were unable to add to Hayden Hackney’s 17th-minute opener.
As a result, Norwich were able to generate a fair amount of pressure in the final 15 minutes, but no Championship side have conceded fewer home goals than Middlesbrough this season and Hellberg’s defence once again stood firm to secure a valuable win.
The Middlesbrough head coach said: “I think this was the most beautiful ugly minutes I’ve ever seen in football. Especially the last 10, where it was just about digging in and fighting and getting out with second balls.
“I was so pleased with how we defended in the second half. I can’t remember them having a chance, other than one moment right at the end where we cleared it.
“Keeping a team that had won four in a row away from really having a chance to score, I think that is unbelievable quality from us.
“It wasn’t our best day with the ball in the second half, but that wasn’t needed. What was needed was fight, and we did that unbelievably with everyone together.”
Hellberg celebrates his 38th birthday on Sunday and can now enjoy himself safe in the knowledge that his side boast a five-point advantage over third-placed Hull City.
He said: “I’ll enjoy having a glass of wine with my wife when the children go to sleep. I’ll be eating something good, although I’ll probably watch the game again too!
“It was a really good way to start the weekend. It was a great win, it was a good performance. I’m just very, very happy for the players.”
Norwich travelled to the Riverside on the back of four successive victories in all competitions and, while that run is now over, they performed creditably against their opponents.
Jovon Makama could have equalised in the final minute had he not hesitated before getting a shot away, enabling Boro substitute Dael Fry to make a superb last-ditch block.
Norwich boss Philippe Clement said: “If I see where the team was a while ago and now, it’s very important to be competitive against a team like Middlesbrough.
“I saw a lot of interesting things and I also saw some things we can do better.
“You need to take the small moments, like they did. It was not a game with an immense amount of occasions for either side because both sides were defending really well and really intense.
“In the end, we had three shots from Jovs (Makama) and those shots need to be at least on target. Those are things to work on with the young group of players that we have.”
