Middlesbrough face Norwich City at The Riverside on Saturday, with two days’ extra rest but with the Canaries starting to find form
Brian Dick Reach Football Correspondent
10:00, 28 Jan 2026
Norwich City manager Philippe Clement (Image: Jed Leicester/Shutterstock)
Philippe Clement insists Norwich City made a ‘statement’ in Monday night’s win over Coventry City and has promised more to come ahead of Saturday’s trip to The Riverside.
The Canaries had to come from a goal down to beat league leaders Coventry on Monday evening, with ripostes from Anis Ben Slimane and Ali Ahmed cancelling out Romain Esse’s opener.
That represented the first time in seven attempts this season Norwich have won at home after going a goal behind – and lifted them four points clear of the relegation zone.
They head to Middlesbrough this weekend with the same form as Kim Hellburg’s side, four wins and two defeats from their last six games.
Clement was thrilled by his team’s new-found resilience and is now looking forward to visiting Teesside. “I had strong belief before this [Coventry] game that we could win this game if we do all the things well, that we are doing better and better,” he said.
“It’s a big statement from this dressing room towards what its’ future can be if they keep on working that hard, digging in and keep braveness and quality on the ball, I am looking forward to the future.
“I am very proud of the players because we were up against a very good team with a top manager who play good football and are top of the league.
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“It was a huge challenge for my team, but they grasped it with both hands and did brilliantly to win the game.
“If someone had suggested this result and performance three months ago, they would probably have been laughed at. It was not a lucky win, it was well deserved.
“It was an excellent performance and we need it to continue to get this club where we want it to be. The players deserve to enjoy this, but it will be back to work tomorrow.”
Coventry’s slip up means they are 16th in the form table over the same period and Frank Lampard’s side are only three points clear of Boro with 17 games remaining. They welcome Middlesbrough to the CBS Arena on February 16.
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