NORWICH manager Daniel Farke was pleased to see a plan come to fruition as his side beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at Carrow Road to end the visitors' unbeaten start to the Championship season.

Finland international Teemu Pukki, who scored twice for his country while on international duty, pounced on an attempted interception in the box from George Friend and poked the ball home via a slight deflection in the 58th minute.

The Northern Echo:

Middlesbrough's Britt Assombalonga dejected Picture: PA

It was a deserved win for Norwich as they had more of the ball and more clear opportunities than a disappointing Boro side, who rarely looked like scoring.

Farke said: "It was a brilliant performance, we controlled the game, dominated possession and I think when we got the goal it was well deserved.

"We were up against a very strong side, who are near the top of the table and had just kept five successive clean sheets. They are a big, strong side and it was important we had a plan to deal with them.

"We were not going to win too many aerial duels so it was important we controlled the football, which we did very well, and pass it well to create some chances because they are a very difficult team to score against.

"When you stick to a plan well then this is the result. We brought our football onto the pitch - and got what we deserved.

"It is especially pleasing as we were without a number of important players like Grant Hanley, Kenny McLean and Ivo Pinto, while Teemu Pukki and Jamal Lewis had only had one training session with us after returning from international duty. I am very pleased with all the lads - and the crowd too, they were terrific for us."

Boro boss Tony Pulis felt his side should have had a penalty just before Norwich went ahead - but had no complaints about the outcome.

He said: "Norwich were the better team but I think it was a clear penalty when Britt Assombalonga was brought down in the box early in the second half.

"It wasn't given and they go up the other end and score a soft goal which had a lot to do with poor defending.

"We started the game okay and then dropped off after 20 minutes and we also started the second half poorly.

"It's disappointing of course but this is the Championship and there's always a chance you can get results like this. What we have got to do now is put it behind us and make sure we bounce back."

There was a bizarre moment 15 minutes from time when Norwich defender Timm Klose was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Assombalonga when the striker was running in on goal, only for it to be withdrawn after consultation with his linesman, who had spotted an offside.

Pulis added: "That's certainly something I have never seen before. The flag never went up at the time so I am not sure what happened there.

"Overall I thought the officials were poor - but as I said I don't want to take anything away from Norwich."