Birmingham City 1-4 Middlesbrough: Boro come from behind to hand Blues third straight loss
- Published
George Saville took advantage of a static Birmingham backline to slot home Boro's second goal in four first-half minutes
Middlesbrough moved up to sixth in the Championship by coming from behind to hand Birmingham City their third straight defeat.
The Blues started well and went in front when Maxime Colin lashed home a loose ball inside the penalty area.
But the visitors scored twice in four minutes through Britt Assombalonga and George Saville to lead at the break.
Keeper Neil Etheridge fumbled a cross into his own goal and Lewis Wing's long-range effort wrapped up the win.
Birmingham almost took the lead after only three minutes when Scott Hogan headed wide, but they did not have to wait long for the opener.
Colin scored his first goal in 14 months when Boro failed to deal with a cross, allowing the Frenchman to fire home from close range.
Hogan went close to doubling the advantage after 24 minutes but his shot was well saved by the legs of Marcus Bettinelli.
The Blues were made to pay shortly afterwards when Assombalonga levelled matters, finishing well from Marc Bola's cutback.
Boro went in front when Marvin Johnson fired in a low cross and Saville took advantage of a static Blues defence to turn the contest on its head after half an hour.
With the game still in the balance, Blues goalkeeper Etheridge made a horrendous error to allow the visitors to score a third. Attempting to claim a routine corner, the ex-Cardiff man fumbled the ball over his own head and could only watch as the ball nestled in the far corner.
Wing's long-range effort settled matters with eight minutes let as Neil Warnock's men inflicted a heavy defeat on former Boro boss Aitor Karanka.
Birmingham City head coach Aitor Karanka told BBC WM:
"It's difficult to understand. It was a game that we approached really well, the players knew the game plan and we created lots of chances. We scored the first goal and then once again at home we switched off and conceded two goals in five minutes.
"It's difficult to take, losing games and making the same mistakes we have made in the past. If I could, I would have changed 11 players.
"Ten days ago we beat two play-off teams, so they have to realise we have to play in the same way always."
Boro boss Neil Warnock told BBC Tees:
"Marcus made a good save with his feet at 1-0 and then we got the equaliser and that was more like us. We worked hard, we closed them down and they didn't create anything apart from the long throws. We really played on the front foot.
"I was delighted with a lot of people and there were a lot of pluses. You don't always get what you deserve but we did.
"I thought we could have had more but I was just pleased with the way they played. We were right on top of our game and I'm sure the fans would have loved it watching that up north."
Documentaries Like Nowhere Else: From inspiration to infamous, the story of Lance Armstrong
Comedy Like Nowhere Else: Give Kurupt FM a go with the People Just Do Nothing box set
