Middlesbrough lit up a Championship clash with little but pride at stake as they thrashed dismal Cardiff 4-1 in the Welsh capital.
A goal on the stroke of half-time by Boro centre-back Matt Clarke was improved by further second-half strikes via Finn Azaz, Emmanuel Latte Lath and midfielder Alex Gilbert.
Right-wing Josh Bowler pulled a goal back in injury-time for the Bluebirds, but they were still humiliated in their final home match of the season.
Both teams went into this clash with minor improvements in league position the only reward up for grabs.
But only Michael Carrick’s charges played with any rhythm and purpose, with Cardiff serving up the latest in what has been a series of woeful performances in front of their own fans throughout this campaign.
Not since losing to bitter derby rivals Swansea in April 2022, have the Bluebirds gone down 4-0 on home turf. If anything, the damage could have been worse.
The future of Cardiff boss manager Erol Bulut – who has still to be offered a new contract – appears to be just one of a series of big decisions the club will have to make in the coming weeks.
As for Boro, while their failure to mount a meaningful promotion charge has been a disappointment, they at least have far more of a spring in their step after this.
Cardiff were first to go close in the fourth minute when midfielder David Turnbull’s audacious 40-yard chip had to be tipped over by back-pedalling Boro goalkeeper Seny Dieng.
Yet the visitors then created an even more gilt-edged opening in the 10th minute, wasted by Ivorian striker Latte Lath, whose shot from point-blank range was smothered by Cardiff stopper Ethan Horvath.
After a promising start, the game then stagnated. Both sides lacked urgency and intensity, with neat passing triangles yielding little in the way of threat at either end.
Carrick’s men were marginally the more threatening and just as a half-time stalemate beckoned, they broke the deadlock.
It was a soft goal from Cardiff’s perspective, with Boro defender Clarke allowed to side-foot home Azaz’s free-kick via the underside of the crossbar, as blue-shirted players stood and watched.
When Dimitrios Goutas forced Dieng to turn his header onto a post in the 46th minute, it appeared as if a meaningful riposte from the hosts could be brewing.
Instead, almost immediately, Middlesbrough doubled their lead.
Again, dithering in the Cardiff defence allowed a bobbling ball to fall at the feet of Azaz, who flicked an effort over the body of Horvath into the bottom corner of the net.
In the 55th minute, the result was put beyond doubt. A weak challenge by Bowler allowed Latte Lath to latch onto a punt over the Cardiff defence and finish powerfully one-on-one with Horvath.
It was the sign for pockets of empty seats to begin appearing and those home fans who opted to leave early were vindicated on the hour as the visitors claimed a fourth goal.
Former Leeds full-back Luke Ayling got down the right flank and his low cross to the edge of the penalty area was finished emphatically by midfielder Gilbert.
Hundreds of Cardiff fans had left the stadium by the time Bowler had the last word.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Let's see at the statistics of the 4 Lords. And Man City are back. PSG are reportedly helping save Lyon from RELEGATION to Ligue 2! PALMEIRAS BEAT BOTAFOGO IN EXTRA TIME TO REACH THE LAST EIGHT OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have The HARDEST ROUTE to The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup FINAL! It took a long delay and extra time, but Chel...
Williams demands guarantee from Barca amid fears of Olmo situationAccording to Marca, Nico Williams has reportedly informed Athletic Club through his agent that he wants to don the Barcelona shirt from next season and is close to signing a six-year contract. However, the player reportedly wants a guarantee from Barca that they will be able to register him with La Liga after triggering his release ...
ATLANTA -- Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique warned his players against ignoring the offensive threats of Inter Miami in Sunday's Club World Cup round-of-16 match, emphasizing the damage that can be done by experienced stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets."Anyone who relaxes for 10 seconds in football already knows where they are. It's not like there's no dou...
Arsenal finished second in the Premier League for a third successive season in 2024-25 – but the fact that Liverpool leapfrogged them was undoubtedly frustrating.In 2022-23, the Gunners were runners-up with 84 points, five points behind champions Manchester City. A year later, they improved to 89 points, closing the gap to Pep Guardiola's side to two points.The 2024-25 campaign looked like t...
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly keen to bring in his former colleague Acacio Valentim as part of a coaching reshuffle.The Portuguese boss is eager to avoid another disappointing season following a wretched first year in charge. In his debut season, Amorim led the Red Devils to a 14th place finish in the Premier League and suffered defeat in the Europa League final against Spur...
Cristiano Ronaldo to join up with Portuguese boss at Al-NassrAl-Nassr have reached an agreement with veteran Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus and look set to announce him as their new manager.The Saudi Pro League club have been looking for a new manager following Stefano Pioli’s decision to step down and return to Italy with Fiorentina.Jesus, 70, who left Al-Hilal at the end of the 2024-25 campa...
Raphinha keen to see Nico Williams at BarcelonaBarcelona winger Raphinha was full of praise for reported target Nico Williams as the club step up their pursuit of the Spain international.Barcelona are working tirelessly to bring the 22-year-old to the Camo Nou having been heavily linked with him for the past two years.Williams is understood to be keen on the move but his current club, Athletic, ar...
Alexander-Arnold: Real Madrid won't take Juventus lightlyTrent Alexander-Arnold says Real Madrid players are determined to win the Club World Cup.Real will meet Juventus in the tournament's round of 16 this weekend.New fullback signing Alexander-Arnold declared: "Both are very good teams (City and Juve), not least because they made it through the group stage."It's always going to be tough, no matt...
Pogba drops fresh Monaco move teaser onlinePaul Pogba has hinted he's set to undergo his medical with AS Monaco.The France international is due to sign for Monaco as a free agent after he passes his medical tests in the Principality.Pogba has dropped a hint on social media about his activities amid reports that he is due in France this weekend to complete his return to football.Pogba posted a self...
Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World CupBarcelona ace Raphinha has criticised the sheer number of game top clubs are having to play as the FIFA Club World Cup reaches the latter stages.Barcelona missed out on a place in the FIFA Club World Cup due to their poor performances in recent Champions League campaign.Raphinha doesn’t appear to be too bothered, however, hitting...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 3 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Arsenal interested in signing Cristhian Mosquera
- 6 Salzburg vs Real Madrid Prediction 27 June 2025
- 7 Wayne Rooney gets Erling Haaland ponytail in shock new look
- 8 Arsenal have little chance of Liverpool target
- 9 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 10 Man United close in on Bryan Mbeumo