Isaiah Jones ended a run of seven matches without a goal by scoring twice to help Middlesbrough to a 4-0 win over Preston at the Riverside.
North End looked like a team that has won just two of their last 11 matches rather than one that started the night sixth in the Sky Bet Championship, as Middlesbrough cruised into a three-goal lead at the break.
Jones’ fourth and fifth goals of the season in the 16th and 37th minutes sandwiched Rav van den Berg’s first senior goal in the 26th minute to put Michael Carrick’s side well on track for their biggest home win of the season so far.
And deep in stoppage-time summer signing Alex Bangura cut inside his man to curl in the fourth to cap a miserable night for the visitors.
Despite losing Dael Fry at the heart of the defence, Boro were untroubled largely throughout the first half. The man who replaced him in the middle did the job at both ends.
Van den Berg, who has played right-back following his arrival from FC Zwolle, had been largely untested but was a calming influence on the ball in the opening exchanges.
That helped to lay the foundations for the opener. His central defensive partner Paddy McNair was involved in the move along with Jonny Howson and Dan Barlaser before Matt Crooks received possession 22 yards from goal. Rather than shoot, Crooks rolled a pass into the path of Jones for him to control and finish calmly at a time when the game was in need of some goalmouth quality.
It was 2-0 10 minutes later. Van den Berg coasted in at the back to meet Barlaser’s corner and, despite failing to head, the ball bounced off the defender’s chest and beat goalkeeper Freddie Woodman once more.
After a couple of tame Preston attempts to close the deficit, Middlesbrough extended their advantage eight minutes before half-time.
This time Morgan Rogers played in Jones and the winger lifted a lovely finish above and beyond Woodman.
Woodman had to make two big saves before the break to prevent Jones from grabbing a first half hat-trick and stop Rogers finding the target.
Preston boss Ryan Lowe’s frustrations were clear. He took Milutin Osmajic and Will Keane off and replaced them with Ched Evans and Calvin Ramsey at the start of the second half in a bid to make a fight of it.
But Boro, who climb to ninth with this victory, forced Woodman into another strong save to his left after a good move created an opening for Rogers.
The keeper also saved from Emmanuel Latte Lath before Bangura completed the scoring in the fourth minute of added time to wrap up a routine win for Boro.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Atletico are 𝐎𝐔𝐓 of the Club World Cup Garnacho wearing Marcus Rashford's Aston Villa shirt and post on social media If you know, you know Unsuccessful hate watch The State of Brazilian Football in a Nutshell.. Pep Guardiola's Man City could face Real Madrid in the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup — as things stand! Shooters shoot Ple...
Spurs agree shock £5m deal to sign Japan star Kota TakaiPer Alasdair Gold of Football.London, Spurs have agreed a £5m deal to sign Kota Takei from Kawasaki, with the defender set to play in Thomas Frank's first team next season. The 20-year-old was identified by technical director Johan Lange, and is seen as having the potential to grow in the first-team like Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar S...
Manchester United have returned to Brentford with a renewed offer for winger Bryan Mbeumo, sources have told ESPN.United have indicated they're willing to pay a fee in excess of £60 million -- with a higher proportion due up front -- and closer to Brentford's valuation, around £65 million, for the Cameroon international.Negotiations between the two clubs have been ongoing for weeks and s...
Former Arsenal and Chelsea star William Gallas believes Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho will return to the Premier League - but on one condition.WHAT HAPPENED?Mourinho is currently halfway through his two-year contract at Fenerbahce, and last month he said he expects to stay with the Turkish giants next season. Last October, the Portuguese did say he was "ready" to head back to the English top-fligh...
Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly ‘weighing up’ a blockbuster swap deal involving Alejandro Garnacho. Talks between the two Premier League clubs are yet to commence but they are said to be considering whether Garnacho and Blues forward Christopher Nkunku could move in opposing directions.Ruben Amorim is widely reported to have decided that the Argentina international can fin...
Tottenham to trigger Eze's 368M release clause as Frank prepares for Son exitTottenham boss Thomas Frank is to bid for Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze as reports suggest captain Heung-min Son is leaving.Eze has enjoyed the best season of his career by helping the Eagles win the FA Cup and potentially get a place in Europe if owner John Textor can work out a deal with UEFA. According to The Mirr...
Donnarumma reveals PSG contract talksGigio Donnarumma has confirmed new contract talks with PSG.The Italy goalkeeper has a deal to 2026 with the European champions and been linked with a move away in recent days.But speaking to reporters at the Club World Cup, Donnarumma has intimated he expects to soon agree a new deal with the Parisians.The 26 year-old said: "We're moving forward, we're moving f...
Fenerbahce making 'serious progress' in Jadon Sancho talksJadon Sancho could be set to join Turkish giants Fenerbahce as Jose Mourinho's side make 'serious progress' in talks with the winger.The 25-year-old has no future at Man United having spent the last 18-months on loan with Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea.Italian giants Napoli and Juventus have been heavily linked with a move for Sancho but he ...
Liverpool eye Malick Fofana as Federico Chiesa replacementLiverpool are reportedly prioritizing a move for Lyon winger Malick Fofana with Federico Chiesa likely to return to Italy in the summer transfer window.Chiesa, 27, is increasingly likely to leave Liverpool after just one season with several clubs across Italy interested in bringing him home.Napoli, Roma, Inter, AC Milan and Atalanta have al...
Man United 'make contact' with Chelsea over 352 million flopMan United have reportedly made contact with Chelsea over a potential move for forward Christopher Nkunku in the summer transfer window.The 27-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge under Enzo Maresca, playing primarily in their Europa Conference League campaign.According to L'9quipe, Man United are interested in of...
- 1 Gareth Bale set to buy former PL club
- 2 'He felt honored' - Marcelo Gallardo confirms he approached Cristiano Ronaldo about playing for River Plate at the Club World Cup
- 3 Samson Tijani: Nigeria star joins Dukla Prague from RB Salzburg
- 4 Diletta Leotta sizzles in tiny bikini on inflatable flamingo
- 5 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025
- 6 Ex-Ajax star Promes extradited to Netherlands to serve jail term
- 7 Real Madrid reveal target as Zubimendi joins Arsenal
- 8 Neymar flaunts 'candy floss' pink outfit that costs more than a family car
- 9 Premier League fixtures: Man City learn dates for 2025-26 campaign
- 10 Barcelona announce Garrido departure