MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 11:09:36| >> :600:320296:320296:
[monks data]
Attendance: 28,606
Middlesbrough logo
Championship
Apr 28, 2018 at 5.30pm UK
 
Millwall logo

2-0

Assombalonga (12'), Howson (66')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Middlesbrough book playoff spot with win over Millwall

Middlesbrough book playoff spot
© SilverHub
Middlesbrough beat Millwall 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium to confirm their place in the Championship playoffs, leaving just one spot up for grabs.

Middlesbrough have booked their place in the Championship playoffs courtesy of a comfortable 2-0 win over fellow promotion chasers Millwall at the Riverside Stadium.

The Smoggies, seeking an instant return to the top flight following last term's relegation, picked up the points through goals from Britt Assombalonga and Jonny Howson.

Just one spot remains available in the top six heading into the final matchday, with Preston North End the only team realistically able to overhaul Derby County due to the Rams' superior goal difference compared to the other members of the chasing pack.

Millwall, among those now expected to miss out on a playoff spot following this defeat, were behind inside 12 minutes when Assombalonga - preferred to Patrick Bamford up top - found space at the second attempt and struck the ball past Jordan Archer at his near post.

Boro struggled to really build on their advantage in the remainder of the first half, as Stewart Downing blasted wide and Muhamed Besic failed to keep his attempt down.

Daniel Ayala remained alert to get to the ball ahead of Jake Cooper at the back post, with Millwall - now without a clean sheet in 11 matches - reminding their opponents that they were still in the contest.

A couple more half-chances went begging for the hosts prior to their killer second, including one for Adama Traore, but the Lions never looked like punishing Boro.

The second goal came via Howson, who walked the ball over the line after visiting keeper Archer made a meal of Downing's corner.

There was to be no route back into the game for Millwall, as Lee Gregory failed to make any true contact with his headed chance, before getting a weak shot away in the closing stages.

Boro felt that they should have had a chance to add a third to their tally, only for referee Paul Tierney to wave away Besic's penalty appeals.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-3-3): Randolph; Shotton, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Clayton, Besic, Howson; Traore, Assombalonga (Bamford 77'), Downing (Fabio 81')

MILLWALL (4-4-2): Archer; Romeo (McLaughlin 38'), Cooper, Hutchinson, Meredith (Ferguson 83'); Wallace, Williams, Tunnicliffe, Marshall (Elliott 54'); Morison, Gregory

ID:324628: cacheID:324628:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4154:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A downbeat Patrick Bamford after the Premier League game between Chelsea and Middlesbrough on May 8, 2017
Read Next:
Bamford: 'Negligence eats away at you'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!