LONDON, CMC – Cameron Archer, a 21-year-old striker eligible to play for Jamaica through his mother, bagged a brace as Middlesbrough thrashed Norwich City 5-1 with a ruthless display at the Riverside Stadium on Friday night to keep alive their slim hopes of automatic promotion to England’s top flight.
Archer, who joined Boro on loan from Premier League club Aston Villa in January, set up Aaron Ramsey to tap in the opener after seven minutes against his former side before Hayden Hackney’s half-volley made it 2-0 with the first of four goals in 10 minutes before the break.
Archer rifled home the third on 43 minutes and then promptly canceled out the visitors’ brief hope given them by Josh Sargent’s finish by punishing more sloppy defending with a strong finish in the sixth minute of added time at the end of the first half.
Chuba Akpom added a fifth shortly after the break thanks to Archer, who added a second assist to his goal double – taking his goal tally for Boro to eight – as the hosts moved above Luton on goal difference into third in the Championship.
A first win in four outings has moved Michael Carrick’s Boro side within five points of second-placed Sheffield United with four matches remaining, but having played two games more as their hopes of a Premier League return now look to be via the play-offs.
A draw would have lifted Norwich into the play-off places, but they remain a point outside the top six in eighth, and their bid appears to be faltering after a run of one win in seven.
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