“We had three games in seven days but he’s always there to do a little bit extra and it’s up to me and the performance staff to pull him in. That’s what it takes to be up there and he can see the benefits of doing that.

“What we can do as a team is create some patterns so he gets into these positions and then, of course, high quality from him when he can execute like that.”

Sainz beat Boro keeper Seny Dieng from a central position 25 yards from goal in the first half and then, after missing a much easier chance in the second, he cut in from the left and produced an unstoppable effort into the far corner.

Having begun his career in his home country with Alaves, Sainz had a spell in Turkish football with Giresunspor before joining the Canaries in the summer of 2023.

Norwich had to come from 3-1 down to earn a point against Middlesbrough, having overcome another two-goal deficit to draw with Preston in their previous game, in which Sainz also scored.

“It’s good (to be top scorer), but the most important thing is the team,” he said.

“I am so happy here with the team and the staff and I work every day to stay like this.”

The result meant Norwich continued their 11-month unbeaten run in home games.

Their next match is away to Cardiff City on Saturday as they look to climb into the top six from their current position of eighth.