Two Late Goals Deny Boro At Old Trafford

Middlesbrough came within five minutes of a memorable victory away at Manchester United only to be denied by two late goals.

Like against Arsenal and Manchester earlier in the campaign, Boro showed they can be more than a match for the Premier League’s elite and Aitor Karanka’s side moved to the brink of famous victory when Grant Leadbitter gave the visitors a shock lead on 67 minutes.

Yet after a series of near misses, a disallowed goal, and a catalogue of saves from Boro goalkeeper Victor Valdes, United finally made a breakthrough courtesy of Anthony Martial’s finish five minutes from time.

Less than 60 seconds later the hosts scored a dramatic second when Paul Pogba headed home Juan Mata’s cross, flipping the contest on its head.

It meant a sixth straight win for Jose Mourinho’s side and the United boss was full of praise for his former protégée, Karanka, who was the Portuguese’s assistant for three years at Real Madrid.

Karanka had vowed to make changes to his side, in an attempt to stifle his former mentor.

The Spaniard certainly shocked a few with his team selection, as centre back Bernardo Espinosa was drafted in to make his debut while Leadbitter made his first start of the season after a lengthy injury.

Boro rode their luck early on, as Pogba saw an audacious overhead kick rebound off the post before Martial clattered the woodwork minutes later.

United should have taken the lead when Zlatan Ibrahimović stabbed the ball beyond Valdes midway through the first half, however referee Lee Mason wrongly disallowed the goal for a high boot.

Boro defended valiantly and took their chance when Leadbitter broke forward from midfield before slotting home a clever knock-down from Alvaro Negredo.

However, as the visitor’s legs began to tire, United continued to probe and press with increasingly urgency.

In the 85^th minute a penetrating pass from Pogba was headed into Martial’s path by Ibrahimović and the Frenchman made no mistake from close range.

Moments later Pogba became the match winner, as Boro’s hearts were broken.

Late Gray Volley Sinks Boro

Burnley    1    Middlesbrough    0

                                      Gray 80

Middlesbrough were undone by a late Andre Gray volley as they suffered a 1-0 defeat away at Burnley on Boxing Day.

In a game which lacked obvious quality, referee Craig Pawson dished out 11 yellow cards in a match with saw more tackles than attempts on goal.

Even so, Boro appeared to be heading for an admirable point in the first top flight meeting between the sides for over 40 years.

That was until Gray’s winner 10 minutes from time, when the striker fired home Sam Vokes’ knock-down and the ball squired under Boro goalkeeper Victor Valdes – who should have done better.

The result means that Sean Dyche’s side have leapfrogged Boro in the Premier League table, yet Karanka’s men are still four points clear of the relegation zone.

The Boro boss made just one change from the side which convincingly beat Swansea at the Riverside eight days earlier, it saw  Cristhian Stuani replace the injured Viktor Fischer.

It was almost turned into an inspired decision and Stuani should have opened the scoring
with just 12 minutes on the clock.

The Uraguian forward was sent through on goal by Antonio Barragan’s pass. Stuani then allowed the ball to bounce before striking a shot on the half volley, however he failed to hit the target.

At the other end Valdes had to be alert to keep out efforts from Ashley Barnes and George Boyd but neither side was able to wrestle full control.

Boro did start better after the break, though keeper Tom Heaton remained relatively untrobled.

The visitors registered their first shot on target after 60 minutes when Ramirez curled a free kick straght at Heaton.

However, Burnley delivered a late sucker punch though Gray’s strike, as Boro slipped down to 15^th in the table.

Burnley Snatch Late Point To Keep It Tight At The Top

Burnley    1        Middlesbrough    1   

                           Keane 90+2                   Rhodes 70

Burnley scored a last minute equaliser to stay in touch with leaders Middlesbrough at the top of the Championship.

Boro led by a goal to nil in the top of the table encounter at Turf Moor following Jordan Rhodes’ opener twenty minutes from time.

Yet the hosts snatched a late point through defender Michael Keane to keep the gap at the top down to just two points with three games to go.

With the top two drawing, Brighton were the real winners of the night after they thrashed QPR 4-0 to move level with Burnley on 84 points.

Chris Hughton’s side still have to travel to Middlesbrough on the final day of the season in what could be a winner takes all clash.

Boro came closest to opening the scoring in this meeting, when Stewart Downing’s corner fell to Albert Adomah on the edge of the box but his effort clipped the top of the cross bar.

Burnley responded as Joey Barton flashed a shot wide but it wasn’t until the second half when the deadlock was finally broken.

Downing’s free kick wasn’t cleared by the Burnley defence, allowing Rhodes to cleverly dink the ball over keeper Tom Heaton from inside the area.

The hosts pushed for an equaliser as George Boyd’s shot was blocked on the line by Richie De Laet, before substitute Ashley Barnes was also denied.

Eventually it came when Keane bundled home Matthew Taylor in-swinging corner to rescue a point.

Boro Leave It Late, As Rhodes Rescues Three Points

Bolton    1        Middlesbrough    2

                                  Vela 61                              Rhodes  73 90+1

Jordan Rhodes scored a stoppage time winner as Middlesbrough came from behind to beat already relegated Bolton at the Macron Stadium.

The result keeps Boro top of the Championship with four games remaining, ahead of a decisive fixture with promotion rivals Burnley on Tuesday.

Rhodes’ header in the dying minutes was Boro’s second late winner in the space of a week, following Adam Forshaw’s last gasp strike against Reading last Tuesday.

The goal also marked Rhodes’ first double for the club since his arrival in January, after he had earlier cancelled out Josh Vela’s opener in the second half.

The win means Boro have now won their last six league fixtures, but this was far from straight forward against a Bolton side who are already preparing for life in League One next season.

The visitors saw most of the ball early on but rarely tested Bolton keeper Ben Amos in a cagey first half. The closest they came was when Stewart Downing’s thumping volley from the edge of the area rebounded off the cross bar.

Bolton responded when Zach Clough set up Mark Davies but his back heel was saved by Dimi Konstantopulos. Clough then had an effort of his own which shaved the top of the cross bar.

The hosts took the lead on 61 minutes when Emile Heskey’s knock down was lashed home from close range by Vela. Twelve minutes later Boro were level when Rhodes’ header was blocked by David Wheater but fell back into the striker’s path for him to make it 1-1.

Boro claimed the winner after five minutes of stoppage time were showed by the fourth official. It came when substitute David Nugent hocked the ball back across goal for Rhodes to head home from close range.

Boro Move Back Into Automatic Places After QPR Victory

QPR    2        Middlesbrough    3

                         Mackie 31  Cherry 85                     Rhodes 18  Ramirez 51 

                                                                                          Gibson  57 

Middlebrough moved back into the automatic promotion places after a blockbuster victory over QPR on Friday night.

Goals from Jordan Rhodes, Gaston Ramirez and Ben Gibson meant that Aitor Karanka’s side applied the pressure on leaders Burnley and Brighton, who drew 2-2 in Saturday’s lunch time kick-off.

That result ensured that Boro finished the weekend in the top two with eight games remaining.

Boro's player acknowledge the fans after their away victory  

After looking comfortable at 3-1, they were made to sweat in the final few minutes by a QPR side locked in the clutches of mid table, when Tjaronn Chery’s terrific strike flew in five minutes from the end.

Rangers had drawn level before half time thanks to Jamie Mackie’s equaliser but were second best after the break.

In the end Boro only just held on and can now look forward to three home games in a row starting with Huddersfield tomorrow night.

The visitors opened the scoring when a mix up in the Rangers defence allowed Rhodes to latch onto Grant Leadbitter’s forward pass and bundle his effort past keeper Alex Smithies.

Rangers responded when Mackie’s strike flew over Dimi Konstantopulos and cannoned off the underside of the bar. The assistant referee signalled the ball had crossed the line, and replays showed he made the correct decision.

Boro had the chance to retake the lead after the interval when Albert Adomah was brought down inside the area but Grant Leadbitter’s penalty was saved by Smithies.

However from the resulting corner Leadbitter delivered an inviting cross which Ramirez headed beyond the QPR keeper.

The lead was doubled minutes later when another set piece was nodded home by Gibson.

The points appeared to be safe until Cherry made it a nervy finish for the traveling fans. However they held on to claim a massive three points.

    

   

Boro Lose To Charlton As Karanka's Future Remains In Doubt

Charlton    2        Middlesbrough    0

                   Teixeira 57  Harriott 80

Middlesbrough lost a second successive game to a team in the bottom three, as manager Aitor Karanka’s future remained in doubt.

Jorge Teixeira heads Charlton ahead
(Picture from the Daily Mail)

The Spaniard didn’t travel with the team for their game with Charlton after he reportedly stormed out of a team meeting on Friday.  

Boro found no solace on the field as they were beaten 2-0 by a Charlton side who hadn’t won at home for 10 games before this fixture.

The game was delayed by five minutes due to protests from the home fans against Chairman Roland Duchâtelet.

At the start of the game the Charlton supporters throw black and white beach balls on to the pitch, while many disrupted the game by blowing whistles throughout the match.

It didn’t distract the home side who recorded a surprise 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Jorge Teixeira and Callum Harriott.

Despite the victory the Addicks are still five points from safety with nine games to go.

Boro remain second but could drop down to fourth on Tuesday if Hull and Brighton win their home fixtures.

Assistant manager Steve Agnew took charge of the side in Karanka’s absence, however Boro struggled to create chances in a lacklustre performance.

The closest the visitors came to scoring was when Charlton defender Rod Fanni turned Emilio Nsue’s cross towards his own goal but goalkeeper Nick Pope kept it out.

After the break Teixeira headed home Johann Gudmundsson’s corner on 57 minutes before Harriott capitalised on a defensive mistake 10 minutes from time.

Chance Missed For Boro After Rotherham Defeat

Rotherham    1        Middlesbrough    0

                        Frecklington 88

Middlesbrough missed the chance to strengthen their position in automatic promotion places after they were beaten by relegation-threatened Rotherham at the New York Stadium.

Midfielder Lee Frecklington scored the only goal of the game two minutes from time to give the Millers their third victory in a row under new manager Neil Warnock.

Rotherham players celebrate after an important win
(Picture from footballleagueworld.co.uk)

The hosts managed to hold on despite losing defender Greg Halford to a second yellow card in the 89^th minute, and they are now just a point from safety.

At the other end of the table Boro remain second, but are now four points behind leaders Burnley (with a game in hand)and are just two points ahead of Brighton in third.

They have now played one game more than fourth place Hull and are just three points better off.

Aitor Karanka’s side had chances, the best of which fell to David Nugent. However the striker fired over the crossbar when he was sent through one on one with keeper Lee Camp and then headed Albert Adomah’s cross wide minutes later.

Gaston Ramirez was then denied by the inside of the post from a free kick, before Halford shot just wide for the hosts.

Camp then saved Ramirez’s effort, as the Rotherham kept the score level at the break.

In the second half they made the visitors pay when Frecklington converted Jonson Clarke-Harris’ low cross two minutes from the end.

Halford was dismissed for a second booking after fouling Stewart Downing, however it didn’t alter the result.

Boro Miss Chance To Go Top After Blackburn Defeat

Blackburn    2        Middlesbrough    1

                   Akpan 47 Graham 83                                        Forshaw 90

Middlesbrough missed the chance to go top of the Championship as they were beaten 2-1 by Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Ex-Boro players Danny Graham and Jason Steele were out to haunt their former side, as Blackburn moved up two places into 16^th position.

Danny Graham scores the second goal of the game
(Picture from www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk)

Graham added the second goal of the evening seven minutes from the end, after Hope Akpan had put the hosts ahead after half time.

Goalkeeper Steele made a number of important saves to deny his former employers, most notably to keep out striker Jordan Rhodes who made the switch from Rovers to Boro in January.

Adam Forshaw pulled a goal back for the visitors, but it was too little too late as they stayed third in the table.

It could have been different for Boro, who had chances in the first half. Their closest effort came courtesy of Albert Adomah who shot wide from the edge of the area.

Rovers took the lead minutes after the restart when Matt Grimes' cross from the left was met by a powerful header from Akpan for the opening goal.

Boro almost equalised but David Nugent rolled his shot wide before Steele saved with his feet to keep out Rhodes.

With seven minutes to go Steele launched a long ball up field which Tony Watt flick on into Graham’s path. He calmly poked the ball past Konstantoplos to score his second goal for the club, after signing on loan in January. Forshaw’s late strike in stoppage time was only a consolation. 

Boro Back On Track After Fulham Win

Fulham    0        Middlesbrough    2

                                               Adomah 3 Leadbitter 20 (Pen)

Two first half goals helped Middlesbrough move to within a point of the Championship summit after a 2-0 victory away at Fulham.

Albert Adomah’s header and a Grant Leadbitter penalty inside 20 minutes gave the hosts their second win in as many matches, following a run of five league games without a victory.

Albert Adomah heads Boro ahead inside three minutes
(Picture from the Daily Mail)

Fulham’s Richard Stearman received a late red card when he slipped and tried recover by pulling substitute Jordan Rhodes to the floor.

The London side are now down to 20^th in the table, just seven points above the relegation zone.

Boro remain third but are now level on points with Hull, with a game in hand. They are just a point behind leaders Burnley who have played two more games and Karanka’s side could go top if they beat Blackburn on Tuesday night.

The visitors made an impressive start at Craven Cottage and were ahead inside 3 minutes. Stewart Downing’s pin point cross was met by a leaping header from the unmarked Adomah who converted his seventh goal of the season.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s decision to play three centre backs appeared to back fire, as Boro suffocated their hosts from the off.

Their front line was lively and relentless, as Fulham were given little time to settle on their home turf and they fell further behind moments later.

Downing was again involved, as he threaded a pass through to full back Richie De Laet on the left. His cut back then found David Nugent, who invited a clumsy challenge from Chris Baird prompting the referee to point to the spot before Leadbitter converted.

Fulham had chances to equalise but substitute Moussa Dembele’s overhead kick was saved by Dimi Konstantopulos. De Laet then made a spectacular clearance off the line to keep out Michael Madl’s header.

Jamie O'Hara also had a late chance for the hosts but fired wide of the target.

Rhodes Rescues A Point As Boro Draw At MK Dons

MK Dons    1        Middlesbrough    1

                          Bowditch 9                                     Rhodes 90+4

Jordan Rhodes came off the bench to score a dramatic equaliser for his new club Middlesbrough, who moved top of the table despite a 1-1 draw away at MK Dons.

Dean Bowditch’s ninth minute opener appeared to have sealed all three points for the hosts, who moved three points clear of the relegation zone following this result.

Jordan Rhodes celebrates his first Boro goal
(Picture from The Sun)

After the match Dons manager Karl Robinson claimed his side should have had a penalty when Tomas Kalas brought down Josh Murphy inside the area but referee Andy Davies waved play on. 

Rhodes’s equaliser was his first goal for Boro since his deadline day move from Blackburn. This was only his second appearance for his new club, after he came off the bench against Blackburn on Saturday.

The draw moves Boro a point clear of second place Hull at the top of the table, though that is now four league games without a win for Aitor Karanka’s side.

The visitors started poorly and fell behind inside 10 minutes when Bowditch latched on to Kyle Mcfadzean’s forward pass, before squeezing the ball under Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopulos.

Boro responded but Cristhian Stuani’s effort was saved by the legs of David Martin, before Murphy’s penalty appeal was turned down at the other end.

After the break David Nugent passed up a glorious opportunity to draw the sides’ level, when the Boro striker dragged his effort wide with just the keeper to beat.

Full back Ritchie De Laet then had his shot blocked on the line, after Gaston Ramirez’s effort was saved by Martin. The Dons keeper also kept out Grant Leadbitter’s header minutes later.

Dons came close to doubling their lead when Murphy tried his luck from range but Konstantopulos tipped the ball over the bar.

Boro equalised in the fourth minute of stoppage time when De Laet’s cross from the left was met by a leaping header from Rhodes. The ball clipped off the head of Dons defender Joe Walsh before looping over Martin and into the net, as Boro escaped with a valuable point.

Boro's Run Ends After Late Bristol City Goal

Bristol City    1        Middlesbrough    0

                             Burns 90+8

Middlesbrough came within seconds of breaking the record for the most consecutive clean sheets in the second division, but ultimately fell short and suffered a shock defeat to managerless Bristol City.

Wes Burn’s scored the only goal of the game when he headed home an out-swinging from the right in the eighth minute of injury time.   

Bristol City clinch a late winner in stoppage time
(Picture from i.dailymail.co.uk)

The hosts may have been lingering in the relegation zone and low on confidence after the sacking of manager Steve Cotterill, however that didn’t show as they stunned the league leaders who hadn’t lost in the league since November.

A goalless draw would have seen Boro goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopulos keep his 10^th successive clean sheet, yet City were in no mood to hand it to him as they tested Greek shot stopper throughout the afternoon.

Even so it was Boro who carved out the best chance of the first half when Kike was presented with a clear sight of goal but slid Danilel Ayala’s cross wide.

City responded, with Konstantopulos having to parry away efforts from Burn and Aden Flint. At the other end City keeper Richard O'Donnell denied Albert Adomah, but it was the hosts who appeared the most likely to snatch a winner.

They were unfortunate not to score from a corner with minutes remaining which was cleared after a goal mouth scramble. Then from a similar corner position Flint flicked the ball on for Burns head in the winner, meaning City are now only in the relegation zone on goal difference. 

Middlesbrough Move Clear At The Top After Brentford Victory

Brentford    0        Middlesbrough    1

                                                                                                    Ayala 59

Middlesbrough moved six points clear at the top of the Championship after beating Brentford at Griffin Park.

Daniel Ayala scored the only goal of the game when the Spanish defender capitalised on a mistake from Brentford keeper David Button to convert Grant Leadbitter’s corner.

Daniel Ayala taps in Boro's winner
(Picture from m.thenorthernecho.co.uk/)

The result could have been different if it wasn’t for a flurry of first half saves from Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopulos, who has now kept a club record nine consecutive clean sheets in the league.

Boro’s victory gained more significance, with the news that second place Derby had been held at home to Reading.

It was the first home defeat for Brentford boss Dean Smith since he took charge at the end of November.

The hosts should have taken the lead mid-way through the first half when Ayala, the eventual hero, was dispossessed inside his own half by Lasse Vibe.

That allowed the Brentford forward to go through one-on-one with the keeper, but he was thwarted by Konstantopulos who spread himself well.

At the other end Button was called into action when David Nugent chested the ball into the path of Cristhian Stuani who fired straight at the keeper.

Even so Konstantopuols continued to be the busier of the two number ones, saving Alan Judge’s volley at his near post before tipping Sam Saunders' dipping free kick over the bar.

The winning goal came after 59 minutes when Button’s punch from a corner spun back towards goal, allowing Ayala to convert from close range. 

Clayton Back To Haunt Huddersfield, As Boro Move Second

Huddersfield    0        Middlesbrough    2

                                                               Clayton 9  Nsue  84

Adam Clayton scored his first goal for Middlesbrough, as they beat his former club Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Adam Clayton celebrates his first goal for the club
(Picture from i.dailymail.co.uk)

Clayton, who joined Boro in 2014, opened the scoring after nine minutes when he wriggled into the opposition penalty area before firing defected shot into the Huddersfield net.

The visitors doubled their lead six minutes from time when Emilio Nsue beat keeper Jed Steer from close range after a neat counter attacking move.

The result moves Boro up to second in the table, two points behind leaders Brighton, while The Terriers slip into the relegation zone after their third successive defeat.

Huddersfield finished the match with 75% possession and after the game both managers confessed that the hosts probably deserved at least a point.

After falling behind early on they nearly drew level when Nahki Wells’ curling free kick appeared to have beaten goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopulos but rebounded off the bar.

Moments later Wells had another opportunity but his chip was saved by the arm of the Boro keeper. Konstantopulos then denied Sean Scannell from close range before beating away another Wells effort before the break.

The visitors were made to rue those chances when Nsue latched on to substitute Adam Forshaw’s back heal before slotting the ball home.

"The result was very different to the performance. I was very pleased with the way we played, particularly in the first half. Said Terriers boss David Wagner.

In contrast Aitor Karanka admitted "It was not a good performance but sometimes games are like that.

"Huddersfield looked like the top team, not us. Huddersfield played really well and I expected that, I saw them at Sheffield Wednesday and it's no surprise how well they played”. He added.

Middlesbrough Beat Wolves To Go Fourth

Stewart Downing came off the bench to score as Middlesbrough came back from a goal down to beat Wolves at Molineux.

The Teesiders, who were without a win in 3 games, fell behind to a first half header from David Edwards, however, a goal from Diego Fabbrini and penalty from Grant Leadbitter quickly swung the game before Downing’s stoppage time free kick sealed the win.

Grant Leadbitter celebrating Boro's 2nd goal
picture from (www.sportsmole.co.uk)

Downing’s exclusion was a bold decision from Boro manager Aitor Karanka, who also named Albert Adomah among the substitutes in a side which showed two changes from the side which lost to Cardiff last time out. In contrast Wolves manager Kenny Jackett made 4 changes from the side which lost 2-0 to Brentford.

The hosts nearly found themselves behind when Tomas Kalas’ long range effort was saved by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Even so Wolves took the lead moments later when Edwards arrived late in the box to head home Rajiv van La Parra’s cross from the left.

The lead was nearly doubled in the second half when Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopulos denied James Henry.

Boro drew level 19 minutes from time when Fabbrini’s low shot from the edge of the box nestled in the bottom left corner.

They went on to take the lead 11 minutes later when Nathan Byrne brought down George Friend in the area before Grant Leadbitter converted the spot kick. Downing’s free kick into the top corner came in stoppage time, as Boro moved back up to 4^th in the league.  

Friend Own Goal Hands Cardiff Late Win

Cardiff City    1        Middlesbrough    0

                     Friend (OG) 86

A late George Friend own goal left Middlesbrough without a win in three games as they lost away at Cardiff who moved up to 8^th in the Championship table.

The match was decided four minutes from time when an attempted clearance from Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopulos hit Friend and cannoned into his own net after a goal line scramble, it’s a result which sees Boro drop down to 6^th ahead of a trip to Wolves on Saturday.

Boro players left stunned after late winner
(Picture from www.express.co.uk)

Visiting manager Aitor Karanka made 2 changes from his side’s goalless draw with Fulham at the weekend while Russell Slade’s City side showed 4 alterations from their 0-0 draw at Preston.

The hosts started well and Konstantopulos had to make first half saves to deny Craig Noone and Peter Whittingham in the first half.

Boro responded through Albert Adomah but his close range header was straight at David Marshall, moments later the Ghanaian winger found himself in another promising position but fired an effort over.

The visitors continued to threaten and created numerous chances but Marshall was on hand to deny Adomah, once more, and Diego Fabbrini.

Those opportunities proved costly as the unfortunate Friend put through his own net in the dying minutes.

Reading End Boro's Winning Run

Reading    2        Middlesbrough    0

              Williams 1  Blackman (Pen) 88

Middlesbrough’s five match winning streak came to an abrupt end as they were beaten by fellow high-flyers Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

Striker Nick Blackman celebrates Reading's second goal

Danny Williams opened the scoring after just 15 seconds when his early header beat Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopulos. It until the 88^th minute for the hosts to double their lead when in form striker Nick Blackman converted from the penalty spot.

It’s a result which moves the Royals up to third in the league on 18 points, bridging the gap to Boro who are now just two points better off. Even so Aitor Karanka’s side remain in second place going into this week’s international break, trailing leaders Brighton by two points.

Going into this match Boro had the best defensive record in the division; however that wasn’t evident early on. Hal Robson-Kanu's cross from the left was allowed to travel into the box where Williams arrived unmarked and was able to power his header home.

Karanka left out the likes of Albert Adomah and David Nugent, who had a slight knock, on the bench. His side nearly fell further behind when Konstatopulos thwarted Blackman’s shot before Ayala headed Orlando Sa’s rebound off the line.

With two minutes to go the hosts sealed the game when Fernando Amorebieta bundled over Blackman in the penalty area before the forward calmly converted from 12 yards.

Boro Back On Track After Away Victory

Sheffield Wednesday   1        Middlesbrough   3

                          Matias  64                                                          Reach  42   Fabbrini  67 

                                                                                         Stuani  86

Second half substitute Christian Stuani scored his first league goal for new club Middlesbrough as they resisted a second half comeback to beat Sheffield Wednesday by 3 goals to 1 away from home.

Stuani who arrived from Espanyol for a fee of just under £3 million had already netted 4 goals against lower opposition in the Capital One Cup but was yet to register in his four league appearances.

Stuani and Fabbrini were both on target at Hillsborough

Boro hadn’t won at Hillsborough since 2009 but took the lead on 42 minutes when a Grant Leadbitter corner wasn’t cleared and Adam Reach stroked away the follow up.

Wednesday were yet to lose on home turf in the league and drew level after the break when Marco Matias's shot deflected off Boro defender Ben Gibson and into the roof of the net.

However the host’s fight back was short lived and within the space of three minutes Boro had retaken the lead thanks to a calm finish from Diego Fabbrini.

Stuani sealed the points four minutes from time when he lashed the ball across goal past Owls Lewis Price to spread the icing well-constructed cake. It’s a result which moves Boro up to 6^th in the table with eight points after five games and going into this week’s international break they are five points better off than at this stage last season.

Rams Strike Late To Deny Boro

Derby    1        Middlesbrough    1    

A late equaliser from Derby’s Johnny Russell denied Middlesbrough their first away victory of the season, as two of the bookmaker’s promotion favourites played out a 1-1 draw at the IPro Stadium.

Boro's Albert Adomah in action at Derby

  

Russell, a first half substitute for the injured Jeff Hendrick, stuck with two minutes of normal time remaining when he latched onto Ryan Shotton’s long pass. The Rams had trailed the visitors for just over 80 minutes following Kike’s opener; it was Derby’s third straight draw of the new campaign following stalemates with Bolton and Charlton.  

Kike’s goal on 16 minutes was his third in two games and came courtesy of George Friend’s though ball inside the penalty area, which the Spanish striker cannoned across goal past Rams keeper Scott Carson.

Derby almost took the lead moments earlier when Hendrik’s shot required an outstretched save from Dimi Konstantopulos. In the second half Konstantopulos appeared to have earned Boro all three points when he kept out Tom Ince’s free kick and Chris Martin’s header, but when Russell found space inside penalty area the Boro keeper was unable to stop him as he salvaged a point for the home side.