Middlesbrough reignited their push for the Championship play-offs with a much-needed 3-1 victory over Stoke City, putting an end to their five-match losing streak.
The result sees Michael Carrick’s side climb to 11th place, cutting the gap to the top six from seven points to four. The win marked Boro’s first triumph since 21 January, a poor run that had seen them slide from fifth to 13th in the standings.
Strong Start For Middlesbrough
Marcus Forss opened the scoring in style, rifling a powerful strike into the far corner from the edge of the box. However, just before half-time, Bae Jun-Ho brought Stoke level with a well-worked team goal, side-footing home with precision.
Boro’s response after the interval was immediate. Finn Azaz restored their lead seven minutes into the second half, latching onto Tommy Conway’s pass before smashing a left-footed finish past Viktor Johansson. The provider then turned scorer to seal the points, linking up with Azaz on the edge of the box before calmly slotting in from 12 yards.
The result sees Stoke slip to 20th place, five points above the relegation zone, as their battle to stay in the Championship intensifies.
Michael Carrick’s View
Boro boss Michael Carrick told BBC Radio Tees: “It wasn’t so much the result, it was how we got it and how we played, the expression and that confidence on the back of a run we’ve had.
“It would have been easy to go safe but I thought they have done the absolute opposite and shown real personality and class and belief in each other.“The way the boys bounced back from that moment [the equaliser] which was another moment which could have gone the other way… They could have thought is it a lead we have not capitalised on but no, they doubled down, went forward and scored some really good goals.
“It is just a really, really good night and it has been a long time coming but it is a deserved one. We can take a lot from tonight.”
Writer’s View
This victory could be the turning point Middlesbrough needed. Their recent form had threatened to derail their play-off ambitions, but the way they attacked this game—particularly in the second half—suggests they are still in the race. Conway’s redemption arc was a highlight, recovering from an astonishing miss to play a decisive role in two goals. With a crucial run of fixtures ahead, Boro now have momentum on their side, but they can’t afford another slip-up if they want to keep their promotion dream alive.
