Middlesbrough 4-0 Brentford

Albert Adomah scored his first goal of the season

Grant Leadbitter continued his fine goalscoring form as Middlesbrough eased to victory over Brentford.

The captain set the hosts on their way with a superb long-range strike 10 minutes before the break.

Boro doubled their advantage five minutes after half-time when Albert Adomah swept in Emilio Nsue's cross.

A header from Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford and a close-range strike from Kike completed victory for the hosts, who finished the game with 10 men.

Dean Whitehead's dismissal for an ugly challenge on Alan Judge was the only sour moment as Aitor Karanka's side recorded their third straight league win, following victories over Huddersfield and Cardiff.

The result moves them up to fifth in the Championship, four points above Mark Warburton's Brentford, who drop to 14th.

The Bees travelled to the Riverside in optimistic mood having won their last two away matches, but Leadbitter's sixth league goal of the season put them on the back foot.

The captain had yet to find the net from open play in his prolific run, but he rectified that with a stunning strike from 35 yards.

Brentford pushed for an equaliser after the break, but they were soon undone by a flowing team move by the hosts.

Jelle Vossen's delightful ball released Nsue and the winger's pinpoint cross found Adomah lurking in the box to record his first goal of the season.

And Nsue was once again the provider as Boro put the result beyond doubt, delivering another fine cross for Bamford to head home.

Even the loss of Whitehead couldn't quell the hosts' attacking momentum, and the 10 men claimed a late fourth when Kike fired in Ben Gibson's pass to complete a chastening afternoon for the visitors.

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka:

"It was a difficult game against a kind of team who will make it hard for you.

"They are dangerous opponents. Even at half-time when we were winning I told the players there could be no let-up.

"We sent the fans home happy and that's the most important thing. That's three straight wins and we have to keep going, there's another game on Tuesday and then Saturday. We're always looking ahead."

Brentford boss Mark Warburton:

"The better team won.

"We've set good standards this season but we've fallen below them (today) and it wasn't acceptable, especially after the break when we weren't good enough.

"It's not about letting me down, it's about us as a team."