If you're a Leeds fan reading this searching for positive signs, I'm afraid I can't offer them.

A long free-kick comes out to Pierre-Michel Lasogga, who is so surprised to be touching the ball for the first time in a while that he leans back and smashes it into the stands.

Leeds look to break, but Samuel Saiz stops the ball, looks up and sends a cross about 10 metres over Pierre-Michel Lasogga into the arms of Boro keeper Darren Randolph.

That's about the most Randolph has had to do all evening.

Postpublished at 63 mins

63 mins

Middlesbrough 2-0 Leeds

Pontus Jansson is down on the turf after a clash of heads with Ryan Shotton at a corner.

The Leeds centre-back seems OK though and we're carrying on.

Stuart Downing fires a low shot well wide from 25 yards.

The second half has been mainly a succession of corners, but Leeds are yet to threaten enough for Darren Randolph to even make a save.

Felix Wiedwald is really not having fun out there. Boro being a Tony Pulis side, Ryan Shotton launches a long throw-in, which the German goalkeeper spills.

Image source, PA

Pontus Jansson heads over another corner. Leeds' fancy set piece routines are having zero effect.

Pontus Jansson heads a corner over the bar. Leeds are still yet to have a shot on target.

Image source, PA

Felix Wiedwald is not having a good evening. The goalkeeper, who was at fault for Patrick Bamford's second goal, is being put under pressure by Boro.

Stuart Downing swings a corner into the near post with the Leeds keeper just about punching it clear. He can expect plenty more where that came from.

Image source, Rex Features

So Leeds have two new players in midfield, but it doesn't seem to have done them any good so far.

George Friend gets past Vernon Anita, who has moved to right-back, before crossing right through the penalty area.

Paul Heckingbottom has indeed made use of his bench.

Adam Forshaw and Ronaldo Vieira are coming on for the second half, with Ezgjan Alioski and Kalvin Phillips being replaced.

We're under way in the second half.

Patrick Bamford has never scored a hat-trick. He managed two goals last time out against Sunderland; can he go one better and bag a career-first at the Riverside?

It's not looking good for Leeds. They're yet to manage a shot on target and need to come from two goals down against the Championship's sixth-best defence.

What's the plan for Paul Heckingbottom? He has former Boro midfielder Adam Forshaw on the bench who can pick a pass, or Hadi Sacko and Caleb Ekuban as more forward-thinking options.

It's been a busy week in the EFL with three new managers appointed in as many days.

After Steve Evans and David Flitcroft took charge at Peterborough and Mansfield, the latest 'new kid on the block' is Michael Jolley, who has this evening been named as the new manager of League Two club Grimsby Town.

The 40-year-old worked for three years under Sean Dyche as Burnley's Under-23 boss before taking charge of Swedish First Division side AFC Eskilstuna last summer.

A Cambridge University graduate and former investment banker, the club say he is "a football nut who presented an outstanding, highly researched and robust plan to take Grimsby Town forward".

James Ballantyne: Luckily for Boro Traore didn't hit form until after the transfer window was shut - he would have gone long ago...

The winger has always had the talent to beat players - it's the consistency that has lacked in his career. If he can find that I imagine James' fears may well come true.

Image source, Getty Images

Patrick Bamford has now scored five goals in his last two and a half games. Before that he gone 11 games without a goal and had scored three in 29 matches all season.

With Rudy Gestede injured and Britt Assombalonga out of touch, the 24-year-old has certainly grabbed his chance.

Image source, Rex Features

Boro have grown into the game and are good value for their lead.

Leeds simply cannot deal with Adama Traore, who is on-song and looks every bit a former Barcelona player. Patrick Bamford is in prime form and as it stands they are going into sixth place.

Boro look full of confidence now. Stuart Downing swings over a corner which Ben Gibson can't divert goalwards at the near post.

Grant Leadbitter, who was booked earlier and was struggling with a hamstring injury, is making way for Boro. Adam Clayton comes on in his place.

Vernon Anita must be wishing Adama Traore's red card against Sunderland hadn't been rescinded.

The former Newcastle man, playing at left-back tonight, clatters Traore and goes into the book. He'll have to be careful now.

Comedian Bob Mortimer is a big Middlesbrough fan, and he knows Adama Traore is something special. What an assist from the former Barcelona man.