Two goals from defenders following well-choreographed set-pieces not only suggested that Middlesbrough are morphing into a classic Tony Pulis side but elevated them to fifth.
As Adama Traoré’s whipped-in corners prefaced imperious scoring headers from George Friend and Dani Ayala, Bristol City’s own, once extremely, credible promotion hopes faded significantly. They failed to hold an early lead and seem to be worryingly low on the adrenaline and invention that made them so exhilarating during the first part of the campaign.
“Middlesbrough had more quality than us,” said Lee Johnson who saw Bobby Reid miss a late, volleyed, chance to equalise. “We failed to deal with their long throws and corners but now we’ve got to give it a right good go and win our last three games.”
With Boro beginning in horribly slapdash, half-a-yard off-the-pace, fashion, his players gained an ultimately deceptive 13th-minute advantage. When the defence failed to deal with Reid’s deflected cross, Marlon Pack was permitted to head it into Milan Djuric’s path. Given that he was at full stretch as he bisected two defenders, the striker did not make the firmest of connections but Djuric still managed to scuff a half-volley beyond Darren Randolph.
Finally, Boro roused themselves, sharpened their passing and upped the tempo. They equalised five minutes later when Friend out-leapt Nathan Baker to Traoré’s corner and directed a glancing header beyond Frank Fielding.
Shortly afterwards Patrick Bamford’s afternoon ended in highly unpleasant fashion when he fell awkwardly, landing on his head, following an apparently innocuous aerial challenge with Aden Flint. Play was interrupted for 11 minutes as the forward received extensive treatment. Bamford was eventually taken off on a stretcher wearing a neck brace and an oxygen mask, but following a precautionary trip to hospital he soon returned.
“Patrick’s fine, he’s back in the dressing room, taking some stick off the lads,” said a beaming Pulis. “I’ve hammered him for being soft. Only joking, it’s a huge relief.”
Ditto the result. “We gave everything, worked our socks off when we didn’t have the ball and played some good stuff,” he said. “These are great games to manage and play in but we talked beforehand about not getting uptight.”
Ryan Shotton’s less than laid back long throws have – surprise, surprise – recently become a key, if slightly controversial, Boro weapon, but, much to Johnson’s relief, early in the second half the fourth official confiscated the towel Shotton used to dry the ball. “Everybody should be allowed towels,” said Pulis. “Towels are fine.”
Considering both sides were less than cohesive in open play – even though Mo Besic did his best to try to raise the Tesside tone – few were startled that the next goal came from another set-piece. Once again it featured a corner from Traoré – having a good game – this time headed home by Ayala. It was the centre-half’s third goal in three games.
With fixtures against play-off rivals Derby and Millwall impending, Boro have everything to play for.
Premier League
Manchester City have won their fifth English league title after Manchester United lost at home to West Brom. Liverpool (70) and Tottenham (67) look set to join United in the top four with Chelsea seven points behind in fifth. Arsenal are just two points above Burnley in sixth, but could still reach the Champions League if they win the Europa League. Burnley look bound for Europe, unless Southampton win the FA Cup.
West Brom (24pts) are still nine points from safety despite their shock win at Old Trafford while Stoke (27pts) and Southampton (28) are losing touch with Swansea (33), Crystal Palace (34), West Ham (34), Huddersfield (35) and Brighton (35) in the fight to avoid relegation.
Championship
Wolves (pictured) have been promoted to the Premier League after Brentford's late equaliser against Fulham (82pts), who are now third behind Cardiff (83) in the race for automatic promotion, with Aston Villa (79) in fourth. There is a fierce battle for the other two play-off places with just four points between Middlesbrough, Millwall, Derby, Preston, Sheffield United, Bristol City and Brentford.
Burton beat Derby to avoid relegation and climb above Sunderland, who are six points from safety with three games to play. Barnsley (38pts) are still battling and have a game in hand on Bolton (40) and Reading (43),with Birmingham (40) still in trouble.
League One
Wigan and Blackburn have the edge in a three-horse race for automatic promotion; both sides have a five-point cushion on Shrewsbury (82pts), and leaders Wigan have a game in hand. Rotherham appear set for the top six with Scunthorpe, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Charlton and Peterborough battling for the other two play-off spots.
Bury (pictured) have been relegated to League Two after defeat to Northampton, who boosted their own survival hopes. MK Dons and Rochdale join the Cobblers in the bottom four, but Oldham, Walsall, Wimbledon and Oxford are all in danger.
League Two
Accrington missed the chance to seal promotion against Exeter on Saturday, but Stanley and Luton (83pts) look certain to climb into League One. Wycombe (77pts) are in third, with Notts County (73) and Exeter (73) playing catch-up. Coventry (68) and Mansfield (67) occupy the other play-off places but Lincoln (67) have games in hand.
Chesterfield and Barnet are in the bottom two but have hopes of catching the four teams above them – Forest Green, Grimsby, Morecambe and Port Vale. Macclesfield are 10 points clear in the National League, with one other team set to come up via the play-offs.
