Mohamed Toure continued his blistering form, scoring a goal in the opening minute, but his Norwich City fell 4-3 to fellow Australian Riley McGree’s Middlesborough in a Championship classic.
Toure charged forward, past the Boro defenders and hit a superb strike from a tight angle into the back of the net 52 seconds after kick-off.
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It was the 22-year-old’s fifth goal in seven matches this season, but McGree ultimately claimed bragging rights as Ashley Phillips’ 91st winner bagged the three points for the hosts.
McGree, who agonisingly missed the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign with injury, played 63 minutes in a promising step as he returns to full fitness.
While Toure’s star continues to rise after the Canaries rejected offers from other clubs during the recent summer transfer window.
The Adelaide United product is set to be a hot commodity in January, however, as no one has scored more Championship goals than Toure’s 13 since he debuted for Norwich in February.
“It was a frantic game. We started perfectly scoring the goal in the way we wanted to score it, behind the defence with the speed of Mo,” Norwich City head coach Philippe Clement told BBC Radio Norfolk.
“Then three or four minutes later we give the equaliser away in a way that should never happen. But I was disappointed with the reaction after that as several players lost belief, lost the fire and we threw away 30 minutes of the game because of that and conceded two more goals.
“But I’m really proud about the second half, the face that the team showed. That is the Norwich I want to see every time, 90 minutes long, with this desire, the quality on the ball, creating chances.
“The last 10 minutes, Middlesbrough felt they were on the ropes and we missed a small thing to kill it off. Then in the dying seconds, they find an opener with a set-piece and I think they’re really lucky to get the three points.”
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While Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees that the seven-goal thriller was “why football is the most beautiful sport in the world”.
“As a neutral, this must have been absolutely crazy,” he continued.
“As a manager, it was quite harrowing and the hair I have left will be grey, but the lads won it at the end by showing character and that is very, very strong.
“It was beautiful to see two teams going against each other that want to play football, want to be in control of the game, that believe in their own qualities. It was as good a game as you can get for the Championship.
“What an absolutely beautiful football game for the neutral and for supporters, emotions everywhere, but two teams who respect each other both going at it.”