Summary

  • Middlesbrough close gap on Championship's top six to two points

  • Cardiff 19th and have little to play for

  • Marcus Tavernier's low drive puts hosts ahead at break

  • Riley McGree's deflected effort doubles lead

  1. Thank you and goodnightpublished at 22:10 British Summer Time 27 April 2022

    FT: Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    That's all for tonight's coverage, then.

    A big result for Middlesbrough, as they ended a five-match winless run to move to within two points of the Championship play-off places.

    With two games left in the regular season, Chris Wilder's side are still in the mix for a top-six finish and a shot at promotion.

    For Cardiff, meanwhile, their campaign continues to peter out. They're 19th in the table, safe and with nothing to play for.

    The Championship returns on Friday, when Boro's play-off rivals Sheffield United visit Queens Park Rangers.

    Until then, thanks for joining us and enjoy the rest of your evening.

  2. 'Motivation has to come from within' - Morisonpublished at 22:09 British Summer Time 27 April 2022

    FT: Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Cardiff City manager Steve Morison tells Sky Sports:

    "Two-thirds of the pitch we were really good, we just didn't have anything in the final third.

    "We turned the ball over a couple of times and they punished us. Transitions they were better than us. The chances we did get, we didn't take.

    "I am trying to pick a team that is filled with people who are going to be here next year and are in the best form. The motivation has to come from within. I can only do so much, me and the staff.

    "You have to have that inner burning desire to win. We will keep asking them to do that every day and yeah, let's hope they get a result in the last two games.

    "We need to recruit well - the right personnel, the right characters, people who fit the way you want to play football.

    "We have the right base to do that. Then it's on my head to make sure they perform on a Saturday."

    Steve MorisonImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  3. Boro manager Wilder 'delighted' to stay in play-off contentionpublished at 22:02 British Summer Time 27 April 2022

    FT: Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder tells Sky Sports: "We got the job done.

    "It was a dangerous opponent and the first goal opened the game up.

    "When we got our noses in front, you saw a bit more belief.

    "We'll take 2-0. We're still in the ball game [for the play-offs] so I'm delighted with that.

    "Anybody who wins both games between now and the end of the season deserves to be where they are.

    "We always knew it was going to be a big end to the season."

    Chris WilderImage source, Getty Images
  4. 'Hopefully we have put pressure on' - Tavernierpublished at 21:51 British Summer Time 27 April 2022

    FT: Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Middlesbrough midfielder Marcus Tavernier told Sky Sports:

    “[The first goal] was really important. It got us up and running. I thought we were brilliant at the start of the game and that was a big bonus for us, to kick on and continue to do what we were doing.

    “The main thing was to get the three points because we really needed them. Like the manager said, it was a defining game and hopefully we have put some pressure on the other teams, [although] we can only really focus on ourselves right now.

    “We wouldn’t be in this position if we didn’t believe. We knew from when the manager took over that we had a great chance.

    “I think you have seen that in the performances. Hopefully we can get that final push and things can go our way.”

    Marcus TavernierImage source, Getty Images
  5. 'It was just about getting the three points' - Boro captain Howsonpublished at 21:49 British Summer Time 27 April 2022

    FT: Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Middlesbrough captain Jonny Howson tells Sky Sports: "However we did it, it was just about getting the three points.

    "We've done that, taken it to Saturday and got the three points.

    "We'll give ourselves a great chance if we win both our remaining games.

    "It doesn't matter how you get there, it's just about getting in the play-offs."

  6. Postpublished at 21:38 British Summer Time 27 April 2022

    FT: Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Rob Phillips
    BBC Wales Football Correspondent

    A fourth defeat on the bounce for Cardiff. Still a lot of learning for Steve Morison to do going into the new season.

  7. Postpublished at 21:38 British Summer Time 27 April 2022

    FT: Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Kevin Ratcliffe
    Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Wales

    You've got to start winning games. It wasn't for lack of effort or lack of chances, they just didn't put the chances away.

    But if you're not putting them in the back of the net then it's curtains for you.

    I'm looking at the likes of Colwill and Harris, who are still going to be here next year, and they should get more goals next year with the way Morison wants to play.

    They look sharp, and I like the way Morison set the team up today. It was just the first goal gave Middlesbrough the confidence they needed to get going.

  8. FULL-TIME - Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff Citypublished at 21:34 British Summer Time 27 April 2022

    Boro win and keep alive their play-off hopes!

    They're now up to seventh in the Championship table, two points adrift of the play-off places with two games left.

    As for Cardiff, a fourth straight defeat keeps them 19th with their safety already long assured.

  9. Postpublished at 21:34 British Summer Time 27 April 2022

    Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Kevin Ratcliffe
    Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Wales

    Tommy Doyle hasn't had a good game tonight, he has been off with his passes.

  10. Postpublished at 90 mins + 2

    Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Chance for Cardiff!

    Mark Harris plays a fine low cross to Tommy Doyle, whose first-time shot is deflected out for a corner.

  11. Postpublished at 90 mins + 1

    Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    There will be three minutes of added time, and we've had one of them already.

  12. YELLOW CARDpublished at 90 mins

    Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    It's all getting a bit heated now!

    Cardiff's Will Vaulks goes in hard with a tackle on Boro captain Jonny Howson, who reacts furiously and squares up to his opponent.

    There's a bit of a melee involving both sets of players, and it ends with a yellow card each for Vaulks and Howson.

    Replays show that was a naughty challenge by Vaulks.

  13. Postpublished at 89 mins

    Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Just a minute left of normal time.

    Boro are still in the hunt for the play-offs.

  14. Postpublished at 88 mins

    Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Boro's Isaiah Jones gets a booking for kicking the ball away as Cardiff try to take a quick throw.

  15. Postpublished at 21:28 British Summer Time 27 April 2022

    Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Kevin Ratcliffe
    Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Wales

    Just get a goal back and Middlesbrough will be nervous!

  16. Postpublished at 86 mins

    Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    This is how the Championship table looks as things stand.

    Middlesbrough are two points away from the top six.

    Championship tableImage source, BBC Sport
  17. Postpublished at 21:26 British Summer Time 27 April 2022

    Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Rob Phillips
    BBC Wales Football Correspondent

    Middlesbrough are on the hunt for more goals here. A great opportunity for Sol Bamba to score against his old side - Cardiff need to be aware.

  18. Postpublished at 84 mins

    Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Sol Bamba almost scores against his former club!

    A cross swings in from Boro's left and the veteran defender almost gets on the end of it, but it bounces out for a Cardiff goal kick.

  19. Postpublished at 82 mins

    Middlesbrough 2-0 Cardiff City

    Middlesbrough are happy to see this game out as it is, Cardiff look like what they are: a team with nothing to play for.

    I'm not expecting a grandstand finish.