•As Canaries make EPL return
Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo was missing in action for Middlesbrough when they lost 2-0 to Norwich City at Wembley in the Championship playoff yesterday.
Manager Aitor Karanka preferred Ben Gibson and Daniel Ayala to the 21-year-old in the most important match of Middlesbrough’s season but it didn’t go as planned for the Riverside team as Cameron Jerome and Nathan Redmond gave Norwich a two goal lead inside 15 minutes of the first half.
Norwich, who were relegated last season were desperate to return to the premier league and showed their intent with direct attack approach which caused Omeruo’s teammates a handful of problems.
Before the goals, both sides hit the crossbar in the space of a minute – in the ninth minute Bradley Johnson rattled a superb volley against the frame of the Middlesbrough’s goal and at the other end Jelle Vossen controlled with his chest before unleashing a shot from out the box unto the post.
In the second half, Middlesbrough came out fighting as they poured everything into the game but their best chance of scoring came in the 80th minute when Ayala met Grant Leadbitter’s corner with a strong header as he was left unmarked inside the box but Lewis Grabban was right on the line to clear and ensured Norwich City ran out 2-0 winners.
Omeruo is expected to return to parent club Chelsea from Middlesbrough after completing his loan spell with the Championship side where he made 19 appearances.