Boro punished at strugglers Hull

Middlesbrough’s inconsistency once again shone through as they were stunned by a Hull City side who won their first game at home this season. Two late Hull goals dealt a knock out blow to Boro on a gloomy evening on Humberside.

In a game of little distinct quality, Hull started the brighter. Di’Shon Bernard stinging the gloves of Lumley in the opening stages, but Boro soon retaliated, Watmore turning his half chance wide before Tavernier hit his close range shot straight at Hull keeper Matt Ingram. Despite a poor 45 minutes, it was Middlesbrough who had the better of the opportunities as they once again spurned an opportunity, this time Sporar’s shot going high and wide.

Middlesbrough started the second half on top, Tavernier playing in Watmore before returning it to Tav who’s shot found the upper end of the North stand. Boro’s poor finishing once again proved costly, as some neat footwork from Crooks allowed him time to pick out a precise through ball to Sporar who turned the ball into the side netting. Maybe it was showing signs that it wasn’t Boro’s day as some one touch football teed McNair up but his volley was saved magnificently by Ingram. Boro looked set to find a winner. That was until against the run of play, Lewis-Potter’s volley found the post before deflecting in of Lumley. Eventually, Boro did find the net as McNair’s free kick flew past Ingram, only for the referee to have it retaken. From the retake, McNair fired the ball straight over the bar. The misery was further piled on Boro as Mallik Wilks ran through from a counter attack to score his first goal of the Championship season.

Middlesbrough taught a lesson on bring clinical as they earned a first win since the opening day of the season and a first home win in the Championship for 457 days. Who was the previous one against? You guessed it, Middlesbrough. Hull leapfrog Barnsley and Peterborough out of the relegation zone as they face a trip to Huddersfield in their next outing. However, Boro remain on 12 points and drop to 15^th as they look to bounce back at home to Hull’s fellow strugglers Peterborough after the international break.