Chuba Akpom scored the only goal of the game to help Middlesbrough produce one of the football results of the weekend in the Championship. Chuba Akpom scored the game-winning goal in the 23rd minute to give Boro victory for just the third time this season, and the search for Wilder’s replacement is still ongoing. With the win, Middlesbrough moved up to 18th in the Sky Bet Championship, passing Birmingham, whose four-game winning streak was snapped at the Riverside.
The home audience gave Middlesbrough’s players the best reception possible, giving Leo Percovich, the interim manager, their unwavering support after he was asked to step down from his first team coaching position. Academy employees Craig Liddle, Mark Tinkler, and Lee Cattermole helped him. After a sluggish beginning, Middlesbrough’s influence increased after both teams avoided receiving red cards.
When Birmingham’s Juninho Bacuna left Akpom needing treatment after making an untimely lunge, the first of those incidents occurred. In the second, Paddy McNair obviously tripped Scott Hogan as the latter threatened to score. A warning was given for both infractions. Midway through the first half, Middlesbrough ramped up the heat a bit and earned their reward after Bacuna curled Birmingham’s ensuing free-kick just inches wide. As Birmingham kept trying to tie the score, Hogan hoisted a side-footed first-time attempt over, but Middlesbrough made enough stops to stop most of Birmingham’s attempts.
On the hour, Hackney did award a free kick when Chong was fouled, and Emmanuel Longelo’s curling attempt from 25 yards appeared to be heading for the top corner before Steffen turned it over. Middlesbrough made adjustments in an effort to change the game’s momentum but Birmingham continued to probe, especially through the vivacious Chong. Middlesbrough’s Rodrigo Muniz hit the crossbar with a header shortly after, and replacement Marcus Forss put the rebound in the goal, but from an offside position. After that, Middlesbrough showed no signs of yielding.
For more football results, click here
