Middlesbrough's Jonny Howson goes into the book for a clumsy challenge on Ezgjan Alioski.

Connor Roberts, on his league debut for Boro, delivers a stunning ball into the Leeds box and Martin Braithwaite tries his luck from 10 yards out, but it's headed away at the post.

Game on, I suppose.

Oh my word, how unlucky. Samuel Saiz strikes from 25 yards for Leeds United and hits the post!

The hosts' tails are well and truly up, here. Thank goodness this game has woken up, I say!

Marcus Tavernier comes off for Middlesbrough. Marvin Johnson comes on.

Martin Braithwaite nods on to Marcus Tavernier who has acres of space and is completely unmarked by the Leeds United back line.

But the Boro man fires well over the bar from close range. Wasted.

This game is flat. Other than Pablo Hernandez's first-half goal for Leeds United, there's been very little to get excited about and not many meaningful saves by either goalkeeper.

Will I be forced to eat my words? My word, I hope so...

Samuel Saiz delivers a high cross into the Middlesbrough box but there are no Leeds men forward enough to latch onto it. Luke Ayling eventually works another Leeds attack but fires over from an acute angle inside the box.

The visitors have barely had the ball in the opening few minutes of the second half.

We are back under way at Elland Road.

45 minutes for Middlesbrough to get something out of this game, or for Leeds to end their poor recent run of results.

Image source, Rex Features

Remember, we have a full round of midweek fixtures in the EFL this week.

Championship bottom side Sunderland travel to Aston Villa on Tuesday for what could be Chris Coleman's first game in charge of the Wearsiders.

Elsewhere, in-form Sheffield United take on Fulham, Cardiff City travel to Barnsley and table-toppers Wolves face Leeds United at Molineux on Wednesday.

If you want to see Sunderland's manager-in-waiting turning on some Christmas lights and read about Luton scoring from inside their own half, then James Law's feature is the thing for you...

Image source, Rex Features

Pablo Hernandez's first-half strike separates the two sides as we enter the break.

Leeds have been good value for their lead and have dominated the possession since breaking the deadlock. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have struggled for clear cut chances and look frustrated.

This is not the return to Elland Road that Boro boss Garry Monk will have been hoping for.

Pablo Hernandez whips a free-kick into the Middlesbrough box but it's cleared away swiftly by the visitors.

There are three minutes added on to the first half.

That's another 180 seconds of boredom, then..

Ezgjan Alioski is brought down by George Friend and looks in some discomfort.

The Middlesbrough defender is on a yellow card but referee Keith Stroud, who's given one red card in 16 Championship games, is not going to give another one as yet.

Pablo Hernandez fires the free-kick that follows towards Liam Cooper, who heads wide.

Image source, Rex Features

It's fair to say it's not been a great half for Middlesbrough, despite having a decent share of the ball.

Garry Monk will want his side to go in at the break on level terms but it doesn't look like it's going to happen.

Leeds have dominated the possession since Pablo Hernandez scored their opener.

Gaetano Berardi goes into the book for a sliding tackle. Then fellow Leeds defender Pontus Jansson brings down Martin Braithwaite and receives a caution himself.

That's three yellow cards in this game in four minutes.

Pablo Hernandez whips the free-kick in across goal and Samuel Saiz tries to lob it over the top of Boro keeper Darren Randolph, but it Samuel Sail-z over the bar.

(Don't feel like you have to point out that was a lovely pun. I already know.)

George Friend is having a difficult afternoon so far. The Middlesbrough defender tries a robust challenge on Ezgjan Alioski and goes into the book.

The hosts, who are now on top in this game, are given a free-kick.