Match Analysis: Middlesbrough 3-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Middlesbrough rose to top spot in the Championship thanks to a comfortable victory over Sheffield Wednesday this evening.

Goals from Justin Hoyte, Ishmael Miller and Lukas Jutkiewicz were enough to eradicate Gary Madine's offside leveller for the hosts.

Here, Sports Mole casts its eye over the 90 minutes at the Riverside.

Match statistics:

Boro: Shots 13 On target 9 Possession 56% Corners 6 Fouls 5

Wednesday: Shots 9 On target 5 Possession 44% Corners 2 Fouls 13

Was the result fair?

No question. Boro dominated the game for almost whole match and deservedly took the three points. Wednesday's equaliser was clearly offside and would have been an unjust way to bag a point.

Boro's performance

Tony Mowbray's men showed why they are doing so well this season with a consummate, patient performance in front of a packed house at the Riverside. With the likes of Marvin Emnes, Jutkiewicz, Miller and Scott McDonald up front, Boro should be there or thereabouts come next spring.

Wednesday's performance

Astute in spells but over the whole match the Owls were outshone. Michail Antonio provided the brightest sparks and almost created and scored a goal in the opening period. Defensively, Dave Jones's side were a little lax and the second Boro goal was because of a loose pass from Miguel Llera

Sports Mole's man of the match

Emmanuel Ledesma: The Argentinian playmaker didn't manage to get on the scoresheet but was a constant threat and provided the key passes for the first and second goals.

Referee performance

Carl Boyeson himself had a solid game but his assistant should have spotted how far offside Madine was for the Wednesday goal.

What next?

Boro: next face fellow high-flyers Cardiff City in Wales in eight days' time.

Wednesday: Wednesday make the short trip South to Nottingham Forest on the same day.