Middlesbrough 3 Millwall 0

THE Championship rollercoaster has plenty of twists and turns left in it yet, but Middlesbrough got their promotion push back on track with a convincing win over Millwall last night.

The panic is over – at least for now – and Boro go into Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest sitting top of the table after Derby County were beaten at Brighton and Hove Albion.

The teams occupying the top six are taking it in turns to slip up, but Aitor Karanka’s men did what they needed to and put the defeats to Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesdy firmly behind them in a professional display.

The standings will undoubtedly change several more times before the season draws to a close in May, but Boro demonstrated patience and more importantly a killer instinct in front of goal to secure a vital three points at the Riverside Stadium.

The Northern Echo:

Karanka has bemoaned his attacker’s form in front of goal recently but they made no mistakes last night with Kike, Patrick Bamford and Jelle Vossen all netting crucial goals that will give the trio priceless confidence going into the final 11 matches of the season.

The Boro head coach admitted he made mistakes which led to Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Hillsborough, although he wouldn’t go into detail over exactly what.

But it was his decision to leave out George Friend, Grant Leadbitter and Lee Tomlin – arguably his three most consistent players this season – that baffled everyone, and it wasn’t surprising to see the trio – along with Ryan Fredericks back in the side last night.

With Millwall battling the drop the Teessiders had the perfect opportunity to get their form back on track after two defeats in three but they didn’t enjoy the best of starts at the Riverside.

They looked nervous despite the 35-point gap between them and Holloway’s men in the table and it seemed they hadn’t got the long balls that didn’t work against Sheffield Wednesday out of their system.

The opening quarter went by without either keeper being tested, but Boro grew and the chances started to fall. Adam Clayton played a superb ball over the top to Kike in the box but he didn’t get enough behind his header to trouble David Forde.

The Northern Echo:

The Lions went up the other end straight away and caught the hosts off guard but Dimi Konstantopoulos was on hand to block Lee Gregory’s shot with his legs.

It was a let off, but Karanka’s men responded well and forced two impressive clearances from Shaun Williams.

The defender blocked an effort from Kike before Adomah has a shot off his own turned away and when the ball fell to Tomlin with the net bulging Williams recovered to make a clearance off the line.

The hosts were caught napping again when Alan Dunne and Joss Hooiveld both had chances from a corner but almost immediately after Middlebrough went ahead.

Kike dummied a lovely pass across the box from Tomlin and Bamford smashed home a left-footed shot into the top corner.

It was the lift everyone inside the Riverside Stadium needed after a poor opening 25 minutes and four minutes later they made it two. Clayton’s pass found Bamford inside the area and his flick deflected off Williams and into the path of Kike to slam home from close range.

The Northern Echo:

The sign of relief that followed the first goal was substituted by a loud roar and at that stage Millwall looked there for the taking.

After the break Millwall threatened when Daniel Harding’s shot had to be cleared by Ben Gibson but from there on in Boro controlled proceedings.

Albert Adomah went close to increasing their lead in the 70th minute when he latched on to Leadbitter’s free-kick and hooked a shot towards goal, but Forde did well to get down and make the save.

The Teessiders did put the game to bed with 11 minutes remaining when Friend’s marauding run led to his low shot being saved, but substitute Jelle Vossen was on hand to tap in from close range.

Saturday’s trip to the City Ground is followed by crucial games against Ipswich, Derby and Bournemouth.