Middlesbrough Close In On Play-Off Spots
Middlesbrough moved closer to the EFL Championship play-off places after victory over Birmingham City made it three successive wins.
Michael Carrick’s side headed for St Andrews on the back of impressive wins against Norwich and QPR in the previous two games, with the Vertu Motors-backed side aware that another win in the Midlands would bring the gap to the play-offs down to five points.
Although Birmingham did manage an early half-chance, it was ‘Boro who enjoyed the best opportunities to hit the front, with Marcus Forss almost capitalising on a mis-hit back pass, before Emmanuel Latte Lath burst into the box to set up a chance for Paddy McNair, who fired just over the bar.
The away side hit the front just before the 20 minute mark in dramatic fashion, with former Birmingham loanee Riley McGree smashing in from outside the box.
Alex Pritchard was dispossessed in his own half by Luke Ayling, and when he slid the ball into McGree’s path, he fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner with ‘keeper John Ruddy powerless to do anything about it.
Birmingham struggled to put Seny Dieng under any real pressure in the ‘Boro goal, with Pritchard amongst those who failed to hit the target when well placed.
Latte Lath went close to adding a second for ‘Boro and whilst there was to be no further goals, the three points helped the visitors to move up to ninth in the table and within touching distance of sixth-placed Norwich.
‘Boro now welcome Blackburn Rovers to the Riverside this weekend.
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