Toure nets again but loses English battle of Socceroos

Red-hot striker Mohamed Toure has netted after just 52 seconds for Norwich City in the Championship, but it still wasn't enough to get the better of his fellow Socceroo Riley McGree.

In one of the Championship matches of the season to date, Premier League-chasing Middlesbrough, with McGree driving them in midfield, eventually came out on top 4-3 at the Riverside on Saturday (Sundat AEST), thanks to a 91st-minute winner from former Spurs defender Ashley Phillips.

It's a victory that puts Boro in sight of the league leadership. If they win their game in hand against Bristol City on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), they'll leapfrog West Ham United, Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion by two points.

Yet the day had started in extraordinary fashion for the hosts when Toure continued his remarkable start to the season in England's second division, firing home off the far post after latching on like lightning to a misplaced backpass and outmuscling Alfie Jones.

It was his 15th goal in Norwich colours, a brilliant one, and his fifth already this season in seven games in all competitions. He also struck in the first minute of their League Cup win over Milton Keynes Dons.

Manager Philippe Clement had rested the 22-year-old in midweek, leaving him out as the Canaries beat Birmingham City, but his plan to keep his much coveted young marksman fresh paid instant dividends.

Still, Boro hit back swiftly, claiming a 2-1 lead within seven minutes, first through Sebastian Berhalter and then Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Amario Cozier-Duberry, who made it two after being teed up to fire home by McGree.

Berhalter increased the lead before halftime, but Norwich fought back through goals from subs Jovon Makama and Jacob Wright in the second half before the thrilling denouement when Phillips scored his first ever league goal.