Tommy Conway and Anfernee Dijksteel struck either side of half-time as Middlesbrough beat QPR 2-1 to edge themselves to within three points of the Sky Bet Championship play-off places.
Conway’s 11th-goal of the season gave the hosts an 11th-minute lead, but they had to wait until 13 minutes after the break for Dijksteel to effectively seal a relatively-routine victory over Rangers, for whom Steve Cook pulled one back with 10 minutes remaining.
Boro, who like the visitors had lost six and won just two of their previous eight games, started on the front foot with Hayden Hackney and Samuel Iling-Junior firing wide from distance.
They took the lead when Finn Azaz found space on the left and crossed low for Conway to get ahead of defender Ronnie Edwards and score.
On-loan Sevilla striker Kelechi Iheanacho was seeing plenty of the ball for the hosts as QPR found themselves pinned back inside their own half for long periods, and it was he who played in Azaz to shoot tamely at goalkeeper Paul Nardi with 23 minutes gone.
Azaz curled a second effort wide of the far post – 14 minutes before the break – with Michael Carrick’s men dominating possession, but Delano Burgzorg should have done better when he skied the ball over seconds later, after being set up by Iling-Junior.
However it took a fine diving save by Nardi to keep out Hackney’s rising drive after makeshift central defender Jonny Howson had burst forward.
Jimmy Dunne had to throw himself into the path of Conway’s 40th-minute strike to prevent Boro from making the most of a four versus three counter-attack.
But the visitors should have been level three minutes before the break when Yang Min-hyeok played full-back Kenneth Paal in, only to see him steer his attempt wastefully wide of Mark Travers’ left post.
Conway only just failed to connect with Iling-Junior’s driven 56th-minute cross after Iheanacho’s shot had been blocked.
But the home side did increase their lead – 13 minutes after the restart – when the bustling Dijksteel worked his way into the box and dispatched a low shot across Nardi and inside the far post.
The visitors enjoyed a sustained period of possession as Boro relaxed and Travers had to palm away substitute Lucas Andersen’s 79th-minute effort.
But the keeper was finally beaten by Cook after fellow defender Dunne had headed the resulting corner back across goal to spark a tense conclusion, during which Nardi headed straight at his opposite number deep into stoppage-time.
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...

Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...

Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...

Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...

WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana's push to win the treble this season.THE BIGGER PICTUREKounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this se...

Paris Saint-Germain gave serious thought to signing Christopher Nkunku during the winter transfer window but ultimately chose not to move forward. Although he remained at Chelsea, signs now point to a possible departure this summer.Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million, but injuries and competition have kept him from locking down a regular spot in the starting lineup, ...

Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...

Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...

Birmingham boss Chris Davies says the Blues should be very proud of breaking the 100-point barrier.Alex Cochrane’s winner after 75 minutes was hit from 30 yards and was perfectly-placed to find the corner and hand City a 1-0 win at Stevenage.And it takes them onto 102 points with three games remaining.“I’m very proud,” said the Birmingham boss. “Not many teams will ge...

Alex Cochrane’s superb long-range strike was enough to take League One champions Birmingham over the 100-point mark with a 1-0 win at Stevenage.The game was the perfect example of a clash of styles, Birmingham wanting to play it around, but Stevenage aiming to outwork them.Boro arguably would have been happier with their first-half showing, Jordan Roberts pulling a low shot wide of the targe...



- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Liverpool join race to sign attacker Jeremy Monga