McClaren praises Job after double strike sinks Canaries

Middlesbrough 2 Norwich 0

Job hit a two-minute second half double to sink Norwich in only his fourth Premiership start of the season.

McClaren said: "It was a big game for Joseph today because he has not had many opportunities. But he has always done well when called upon and today he got his opportunity, the pressure was on him and he delivered. It just goes to show how important Joseph is to this football club."

McClaren said he believed the win was never in doubt despite the visitors' success in frustrating his side during a grim first half.

And with Boro staying in the frame for a top four finish, McClaren hailed yesterday's win as arguably the most vital of Boro's season so far.

McClaren added: "We've just said that this was probably our biggest game in respect of bouncing back after Boxing Day and finishing the year on a high. We've got two tough ones coming up so it was nice to get the three points and look forward to Manchester United coming here on Saturday.

"We had to show great patience and eventually we got the breakthrough which I always believed was only a matter of time."

Norwich boss Nigel Worthington blamed "two moments of madness" for a defeat which plunged his side back into the relegation zone.

Worthington hailed his side's motivation but admitted lapses of concentration at crucial moments had cost them dear.

Worthington said: "We defended well as a team and then two moments of madness cost us. We switched off to leave Job free at the far post for his first goal and it is hard work after that. Our work-rate and commitment was first class and I was very pleased with the first half. But my players have got to remember that games last for 90 minutes and not 88."

Worthington bemoaned more injury woe with Thomas Helveg becoming the latest Canaries player to be taken off inside the first 10 minutes, this time with concussion.

But Worthington admitted that he had seen some bright spots in the performances of teenagers Ryan Jarvis and Danny Crow.

The manager added: "Ryan played well today and Danny had a chance and should have hit the target. This is the situation we are in and we have got to look forward."

MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Reiziger, Southgate, Cooper, Queudrue, Nemeth (Morrison 78), Parlour, Zenden, Downing, Hasselbaink, Job.

NORWICH: Green, Edworthy, Fleming, Doherty, Drury, Bentley, Helveg (Brennan 12), Jarvis (Crow 74), Mulryne, Huckerby, McKenzie.

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).