Sebastian Berhalter scored two goals for Middlesbrough to help them to a win in a seven-goal thriller, while Jack McGlynn grabbed his first for Stoke City in their away win at Watford.
Middlesbrough 4-3 Norwich City
A stoppage-time goal ensured Middlesbrough of all three points in an exhilirating game against Norwich City at the Riverside Stadium.
Sebastian Berhalter played the entire 90 minutes as he completed 78 percent passing and took four shots. Aidan Morris also went the distance to complete 89 percent passing, win seven duels, and make nine recoveries. Max Arfsten came off the bench to play 17 minutes, while Rokas Pukstas was unused.
Boro received a sucker punch just seconds into the start when Norwich scored the first goal, but Berhalter tied it up immediately with a strike on the underside of the crossbar. His teammante Amario Cozier-Duberry gave them the lead three minutes later.
The hosts kept the momentum going in their favor and scored their third goal in the 36th minute. What looked like an attempted shot from Callum Brittain took a deflection off a Norwich player, saw the American midfielder was on the spot to steer the ball into the back of the net.
The Canaries clawed their way back to score twice in the 70th and 75th minutes respectively, but the Boro escaped with the win after a goal in the first minute of stoppage time.
Middlesbrough will have chance to go to the top of the standings if they defeat Millwall at home on Tuesday.
Watford 1-2 Stoke City
Stoke City have now gone four games unbeaten as they held on to a narrow win over Watford at Vicarage Road.
Jack McGlynn played 89 minutes for the Potters as he completed 89 percent passing and took three shots. Luca Bombino came on to play 10 minutes.
The visitors had most of the advantage in the first half and were duly rewarded with a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time when McGlynn displayed some skill to send a curling right-footed shot into the side netting.
Stoke doubled their lead in the 57th minute as Watford had no answer to stop them.
The hosts reduced the deficit with a stoppage-time goal, but it was too late to mount a further comeback.
Stoke will take on Sheffield United on Saturday.
Notes
In other action around the Championship, West Bromwich Albion captain George Campbell came off the bench to play second-half stoppage time in their 1-1 tie with Queens Park Rangers.
Kristoffer Lund played stoppage time for Birmingham City to seal a 2-1 win over Patrick Agyemang-less Derby County.
Charlie Kelman made his return from injury to play 24 minutes in Charlton Athletic’s 0-0 tie with Portsmouth.
Caleb Wiley missed out on Preston North End’s 1-0 loss to Lincoln City due to an injury in training.
In League One, Lynden Gooch was omitted from the game day roster as Huddersfield Town settled for a 0-0 tie with Mansfield Town.
Down in League Two, Julian Eyestone started his first game between the posts for Rotherham United in a 3-3 tie with Salford City.