When Borja Sainz was sent off, Jonny Howson was a key factor in Middlesbrough’s victory over Norwich City.
Jonny Howson says he won’t apologise for his part in the red card that altered the course of Middlesbrough’s victory over his former team, Norwich City, because Borja Sainz kicked out at him regardless of how much contact there was.
When Sainz got out at Howson and was sent packing, Boro was struggling and losing 1-0. After that, Boro made effective use of their man advantage to turn the tide of the match and win 3-1. This was a much-needed victory for Boro that also hurt the Canaries’ hopes of making the playoffs.
When Howson and Sainz agreed to a tough 50-50 challenge, which Howson won, the red card incident occurred. Although there wasn’t much contact, the Norwich man seemed to take offence at the 35-year-old’s challenge, and there was definitely movement from Sainz’s leg to at least rake Howson with his stud.
Howson said: “He kicked out, and you can’t do that in today’s game, can you? Norwich was furious after that. The card is red. I went in to win the ball and might have even caught him, but it was just for the 50/50. Then there’s a leg that juts out towards me, which is not permitted in today’s game.
“The rules are for other people; I don’t make them. The game must be played. Their dissatisfaction is understandable, but it’s a necessary aspect of playing football. They would have preferred it to go the other way. He leaves. Was the amount of contact high? Perhaps not, but in the modern game, contact is contact, so it makes no difference.
“Some of their boys told me they would have followed my example exactly. Since I play for Middlesbrough, I play for Middlesbrough’s three points, and we needed those three points just as much as they did. That was an overwhelming three points.
