Riley McGree’s remarkable goal proved decisive against Birmingham, marking Middlesbrough’s third consecutive victory and reigniting their aspirations of securing a spot in the Championship play-offs.
The Australia international unleashed a thunderous 25-yard shot into the top corner, exacerbating the relegation woes of the club where he previously played on loan before joining Boro in 2022. This leaves Birmingham with just one point from the five games since manager Tony Mowbray stepped aside for medical treatment, leaving them just one point ahead of 22nd-placed Huddersfield.
Throughout the match, the home side struggled to assert themselves and failed to pose a serious threat to Seny Dieng, Middlesbrough’s goalkeeper.
This fixture, which both teams viewed as pivotal in shaping their fortunes at opposite ends of the table, saw a resurgent Boro seize control with a commanding performance to claim ninth place.
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick demonstrated confidence in his team’s recent form by fielding an unchanged lineup for the third consecutive game, a first for him this season, following victories over Norwich and QPR.
The home side entered the match with just two wins from their previous eight home Championship games, displaying nerves early on as Marcus Forss nearly capitalized on an under-hit backpass from Marc Roberts within the first two minutes, only for goalkeeper John Ruddy to swiftly clear the danger.
Boro continued to dictate proceedings, and in the 17th minute, McGree, who had spent over a year on loan at Birmingham from Major League Soccer side Charlotte, showcased his quality by finding the top corner with Ruddy well beaten, courtesy of an excellent assist from Luke Ayling.
Birmingham’s hopes were further diminished by Roberts’ injury, and their sole opportunity in the first half resulted in a wayward shot from Alex Pritchard following a promising attack.
Emmanuel Latte Lath and Matt Clarke came close to extending Boro’s lead, with the latter nodding wide from Jonny Howson’s corner. In response, Birmingham caretaker manager Mark Venus introduced substitutes George Hall and Juninho Bacina at halftime.
The anticipated response failed to materialize, with the most noteworthy event of an unremarkable second half being the departure of referee Andy Davies due to injury, prompting fourth official Jeremy Simpson to assume his duties.
Venus’s final attempt to alter the course of the match was to introduce captain Lukas Jutkiewicz, whose previous equalizer against Hull City secured the Blues’ only positive result since Mowbray’s departure.
Jutkiewicz came closest to creating an opportunity, as his challenge caused goalkeeper Dieng to misjudge a cross, but Rav van den Berg swiftly cleared the danger.
As a result, Birmingham has suffered seven defeats in their last ten matches, while Boro secured their fifth consecutive victory against the struggling Blues, a feat achieved for the first time in the clubs’ history.
Birmingham City caretaker manager Mark Venus told BBC Radio WM: “It wasn’t a good night for anyone connected with the club. We’re all disappointed and you’ve got to pick yourself up and go again.
“We had plenty of energy and application but not enough quality with the ball. Everyone can see it and we have to try to solve it.
“Technically, it was a poor night. There was no quality in the team in [terms of] passing, control, movement – we just completely lacked any quality on the night. We’ve got to do a lot better.
“We want leaders. We want people who’ve got personalities to show up on the pitch and we’re lacking them at the moment.
“We have to give everything for this football club in the next nine games. We have to leave everything on the grass and nowhere else. Everybody has to understand the severity of where we are.”
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick told BBC Radio Tees:
“It wasn’t the most glamorous of football matches in terms of the type of football that was on the pitch. It was dogged, solid, disciplined and there was a steel and determination about us that I really liked.
“We didn’t give much away and we looked dangerous in the first half, when we could have had another goal or two and should have had a penalty.
“Credit to the boys, they made a difference, dug in and found a way to win.
“Riley (McGree) has moments in him. He had a couple last year when he pulled one out, with Norwich being the stand-out one.
“In terms of the ‘wow’ quality of the finish, tonight was pretty special, a hell of a strike, and the only goal of the game.”