Middlesbrough 3 Millwall 0: Boro back at the summit

Middlesbrough returned to the top of the Championship with a comfortable victory at home to struggling Millwall.
Middlesbrough's Kike, Jelle Vossen and Patrick Bamford celebrate.Middlesbrough's Kike, Jelle Vossen and Patrick Bamford celebrate.
Middlesbrough's Kike, Jelle Vossen and Patrick Bamford celebrate.

The triumph nudged Aitor Karanka’s men ahead of Derby in the promotion chase while condemning Ian Holloway’s third-bottom side to their fourth defeat in five.

Patrick Bamford opened the scoring with his 11th goal of the season after 26 minutesm, Kike made it two just four minutes later and Belgian striker Jelle Vossen completing a routine win 12 minutes from time.

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Millwall had looked the brighter of the two sides early on, but it was Boro who were more dangerous on the break.

Kike fluffed a great chance in the 15th minute when Adam Clayton curled a ball into the box only for the striker to head straight at David Forde.

The Lions almost grabbed the opener just seconds later after Boro’s defence fell asleep. Lee Gregory latched onto a ball over the top but Dimi Konstantopoulos denied the striker with his legs.

Kike and Albert Adomah both had shots blocked before Tomlin’s goal-bound effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Alan Dunne.

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The game opened up as the visitors continued to press and, when Boro failed to clear a corner, Joss Hooiveld had time to turn and shoot but Konstantopoulos gathered.

The hosts got their opener in the 26th minute. Tomlin played in Adomah, who pulled it back for Kike who let the ball roll to Bamford, who netted.

Karanka’s men doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when Clayton’s long ball found Bamford in the box and he did well to lay off for Kike, whose unconvincing effort bounced over Forde’s head and in.

Adomah went close to getting the third when Leadbitter picked him out with a perfect set-piece into the box but Forde did well to hold the winger’s strong shot.

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George Friend did well down the left before cutting inside and crossing across the face of goal, but it was just too strong for Kike.

The third goal finally arrived five minutes later after Friend’s shot was deflected into Vossen’s path and he drilled past Forde.

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Fredericks, Kalas, Gibson, Friend, Leadbitter (Forshaw 82), Clayton, Adomah, Tomlin (Vossen 74), Bamford (Wildschut 83), Garcia. Unused substitutes: Ripley, Whitehead, Reach, Woodgate.

Millwall: Forde, Abdou, Dunne, Hooiveld, Harding, Tonge (O’Brien 80), Williams (Upson 66), Woolford, Fabbrini, Taylor-Fletcher, Gregory (Fuller 66). Unused substitutes: Beevers, Martinez, Nelson, King.

Referee: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire).