Factor that says a lot for 'proud' Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick after Norwich draw

Michael Carrick had an overriding feeling of pride despite watching his Middlesbrough side squander a two-goal lead to draw with Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Boro led 3-1 at the interval after an emphatic and clinical first half, and then had a chance to kill the game off when Riley McGree won a penalty after the break. But Tommy Conway's missed spot-kick gave the home side the impetus to fight their way back into the game, with Carrick's side ultimately having to settle for a draw.

Despite the context making the point feel more like two dropped from a Boro perspective, the boss was ultimately proud of his side's performance away to a side who have not lost at home in a year. That was a big factor behind his largely positive reflections on the 3-3- draw.

READ MORE: Tommy Conway absolved of blame as different Middlesbrough turning point is named

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Carrick said: "I think it says a lot that we’re leaving disappointed not to come away with all the points. They’ve not lost here for a year now, which shows it’s a tough place to come. To then come and play like that and be bitterly disappointed, highlights how well the boys have done.

“I’m really proud of the boys, to be honest. I thought we were fantastic for the most part today. To come here against a really good team, play like we did and cause them so many problems and be in such a good position to win the game, I’m really pleased with that.

"I’m disappointed with the way it ended, but listen, they’ve had two goals from 25 yards hit the top corner and then a bad goal from our point of view is the third goal. But other than that, I thought we were very good."

He continued: “It’s tough to take because we limit them to not a lot and it’s two unbelievable strikes. The first one we can probably do something about, in terms of the build-up and getting our pressing structure better. But still, it’s a hell of a hit.

"The second one, even better. It’s tough to take, but in some ways I’m smiling because there was so much good in there today to put us in the good position. To come here and do that is not easy and hopefully the boys take more from that side of it."

Boro looked in such a good position to claim a really impressive away victory. Leading 3-1 at half-time, their season struggles with being clinical were certainly not a factor in Norfolk as they recovered so well from falling behind in just eight minutes with three excellent goals. Conway scored twice before Finn Azaz added their third on the stroke of half-time. That, for Carrick, is the overriding thing to take from the game.

“It’s not easy to go a goal down and have the confidence, inner-belief and quality to play like that," Carrick said. "That more than anything is what we’ll mostly take from this game - knowing that’s what we’re capable of in a really tough environment, against a really good team. We can show that quality."

Be that as it may, it's ultimately yet another two points dropped for Boro, who missed a chance to move into the top six. For all the promise, for the positives, they have to find a way to end their bad habit of finding ways to lose matches they should win. This was the latest in an already long list of them this season.