Boro edge Norwich in seven-goal thriller as Swansea and Saints win

Middlesbrough beat Norwich City 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller at the Riverside Stadium on 12 September.

It was the loudest game of the Championship afternoon. The Championship is the second tier of English football, one step below the Premier League. Boro needed a late winner to settle it.

Norwich struck first. Mohamed Touré put the visitors ahead after just 50 seconds. It was the worst possible start for the home fans.

Middlesbrough hit back through new faces. Sebastian Berhalter scored twice, including his first goal for the club. Amario Cozier-Duberry also scored on his first league start since joining on loan from Brighton, according to The Guardian.

Norwich refused to go away. Substitutes Jovon Makama and Jacob Wright both scored to drag the score back to 3-3. Seven goals. Total noise.

Then came the decisive moment. Ashley Phillips rose to head home the winner late on. It was his first league goal in senior football after joining Middlesbrough from Tottenham, according to The Guardian.

What makes this stand out is how the Riverside carried it. Three goals thrown away, and still the home end believed. The win was Middlesbrough's third in a row at home.

Southampton produced the day's other statement. They beat Bristol City 4-1 at St Mary's. Cyle Larin scored twice to put Saints in control.

Lorent Tolaj pulled one back for Bristol City and briefly made it a contest. Southampton finished strongly. Kuryu Matsuki and Finn Azaz added late goals to seal a comfortable win.

For fans, this means St Mary's remains a fortress. Southampton had not lost at home since January going into the game. That run now stretches on.

Swansea City also moved back into the automatic promotion places. The top two in the Championship go straight up to the Premier League, without the play-offs. Swansea earned their place with a 3-1 win over Burnley at the Liberty Stadium on 12 September.

It was a painful afternoon for Burnley. New manager Nicky Hayen watched his side slip to the bottom of the table. Swansea, by contrast, look settled and sharp.

There was late drama elsewhere too. Leicester City beat Stockport County 4-3 at Edgeley Park. Another seven-goal game, another away win holding on at the end.

Four games, 22 goals. Strangers hugging in the stands. That is what this division does best.