Middlesbrough Keep Play-Off Hopes Alive
Middlesbrough remain in contention for a place in the EFL Championship play-offs after picking up four points from a possible six across the Easter weekend.
The Vertu Motors-backed side were unbeaten in four games going into the double-header to move into the top ten, with Michael Carrick’s side keen to keep that run going heading towards the business end of the season.
Good Friday saw ‘Boro make the long trip to Southampton to face one of the sides doing battle for the title, and it was the Saints who took the lead early on when Adam Armstrong was able to beat Seny Dieng from close range.
Both sides created chances as the visitors grew into the game but it would take until the final minute for the pressure on the Southampton goal to pay off when Emmanuel Latte Lath scored for the tenth time this season to grab a point.
Picking up one point rather than three meant the home game with Sheffield Wednesday took on added importance on Easter Monday.
The visitors were chasing points in the quest to avoid relegation but ‘Boro dominated proceedings – having 65% possession during the game and having four times as many shots as their rivals.
The Riverside crowd was given reason to cheer just before half time when Michael Ihiekwe deflected a header from Latte Lath past his own ‘keeper five minutes before the break.
The second half would be one-way traffic as ‘Boro chased a second goal and it would take until 15 minutes from time for the match to be settled when Isaiah Jones saw his cross shot deflected into the net.
A third goal could have arrived from the penalty spot when Barry Bannan was adjudged to have handled in the box, but Sam Greenwood could only strike the post ten minutes from time.
Despite that, the three points were secured with relative ease and a defeat for Hull at Leeds means ‘Boro now sit ninth in the table – six points away from the play-off spots with six games left to play.
A home game with Swansea City awaits this weekend.
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