Boro making top-six Marc
HECTOR NUNNS
CHRIS WILDER hailed a barnstorming display from his Middlesbrough team after the Teessiders stormed back into the top six.
A brilliant opening goal from Marcus Tavernier set Boro on their way – before on-loan Arsenal and England Under-21 striker Folarin Balogun added a second just after the break.
Late goals from subs Josh Coburn, 19, and Duncan Watmore completed a rout that sends Boro up to fifth – and leaves hapless Peterborough rock-bottom and running out of hope.
Wilder admits he and his side are relishing the promotion run-in, with the prospect of plenty more excitement coming up.
The Boro manager said: “I always thought we were in a decent place in the table, and needed the rest from the international break. We have been spot-on in training, and took that into today.
“We controlled the game and were good in both boxes, but the second goal was huge for us. It is a squad game, as we showed with fabulous goals from the subs.
“I look at the results of other teams, of course I do, you don’t take your eye off it – anyone who says they don’t is telling porkies. We’re in it, and emotionally attached to it.
“There is expectation for me and the players to handle, it’s a huge club. Look at the 4,000 fans here. But it is about thriving on it, and for me it energises me. This is where you want to be.”
Boro were lucky in the 23rd minute as their keeper Joe Lumley rushed out of his goal with Sammie Szmodics clear – but Lumley’s fluffed clearance fell to Jack Marriott. From 50 yards out and close to the touchline, Marriott shot for goal, only to see his first-time effort cleared off the line by Paddy McNair.
Within three minutes, the visitors were ahead. McNair tapped the ball to Tavernier, and he curled a beauty into the corner of the net.
Middlesbrough doubled their lead after 49 minutes.
Howson provided the cross from the right flank and 20-year-old Balogun crashed the ball past Dai Cornell.
Subs Watmore and teenager Coburn both weighed in near the end. First Watmore teed up the 19-year-old, then he grabbed the fourth himself with a run and fierce drive.
Posh boss Grant McCann said: “We won’t give up until it is mathematically impossible for us to survive – but that result is a blow.
“We were looking for three points after the win at QPR.
“We had the one cleared off the line from Marriott, and then they go down the other end and score the first goal. That’s how it is going.”
TAV A GO HERO
PETERBOROUGH UNITED: Cornell 5; Kent 5, Knight 5, Fernandez 5 (Poku 62, 6); Ward 6, Fuchs 6, Taylor 5 (Grant 62, 6) , Burrows 6; Szmodics 7; Marriott 6, Clarke-Harris 6 (Jones 46, 6).
Subs not used: Edwards, Brown, Mumba, Blackmore.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Lumley 6; Dijksteel 7, McNair 7, Fry 7; Jones 7 (Peltier 85), Crooks 7, Howson 8, Tavernier 7, Bola 6; Balogun 7 (Watmore 69, 7), Connolly 6 (Coburn 75, 7).
Subs not used: Sporar, Bamba, Daniels, McGree.
MAN OF MATCH: Jonathan Howson. Controlled the game for Middlesbrough including seeing out the win – plus assist for second goal .
REFEREE: Leigh Doughty 6.