Middlesbrough 1-0 Birmingham City: Chuba Akpom fires managerless Boro to victory
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Chuba Akpom's winner against Birmingham was his third goal in three games
Managerless Middlesbrough beat Birmingham City at the Riverside to move out of the Championship relegation zone.
Chuba Akpom reacted quickest to Blues' failure to deal with a corner to crash home the decisive goal in Boro's first game since Chris Wilder's sacking.
Zack Steffen ensured they held on to the lead at the break, denying Scott Hogan after he intercepted a weak backpass from Anfernee Dijksteel.
Steffen also crucially saved efforts from Tahith Chong and Emmanuel Longelo, while Boro were prevented from scoring another goal in the second half for offside when Marcus Forss steered the ball home after Rodrigo Muniz hit the bar.
A wretched run of just two wins from 11 games to start the Championship season - Boro's worst beginning to a campaign since 1985 - cost Wilder his job on Teesside on Monday.
Defeat by bottom club Coventry City on Saturday ended the 55-year-old's tenure, leaving goalkeeper coach Leo Percovich to oversee the victory that ends their three-game winless run.
Boro appeared fortunate not to have Paddy McNair sent off in the 15th minute when he pulled the shirt of Hogan as the ball broke behind the defence. A yellow card was all that was issued, with Juninho Bacuna then flashing a free-kick wide.
A corner from Ryan Giles, which skipped across the box and hit a Blues defender at the back post, teed Akpom up for his goal.
A stray back pass from Dijksteel almost gifted Blues an equaliser, with Hogan picking up possession only to be denied by onrushing goalkeeper Steffen.
Both sides threatened early in the second half, with Steffen saving from Chong while Boro's Hayden Hackney sent an effort over the bar at the other end.
A fingertip save from Steffen sent a Longelo free-kick over the bar as Blues pressed for an equaliser, while the assistant referee's flag was all that denied Forss from making it two for the hosts when he tapped home from point-blank range after Muniz's header off the bar fell into his path.
Interim Middlesbrough boss Leo Percovich:
"You always say in football, you aim to win 1-0. We came to get the three points and move up the table. That is the most important.
"Second half was emotional - a lot has happened this week. We know they [the players] have the talent and they will be fine, that's for sure.
"I have been proud to represent them on the pitch. I have almost 10 seasons at this club. I know how they feel, when they look into my eyes I know. They knew I was supporting them. Tonight they have stood up for me and they make me feel proud."
Birmingham boss John Eustace:
"I am disappointed to lose the game. First half we started very well with the ball. Without the ball we didn't put enough pressure on them - a little too passive. A draw would have been a fair result after a better second half.
"First half we had a good chance with Scott Hogan, half chances in the second half without causing them too many problems. It is a work in progress, but we have been on a good four-game unbeaten run and we have to learn before Saturday.
"We need to be better in the final third, decisions have to be better, get our shots off quicker, get more bodies in the box, get our deliveries better."