Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg refused to be too downbeat after his side failed to cut the gap on Championship leaders Coventry City.

Boro could have moved to within just three points of top spot after Coventry's earlier draw, but went down 2-0 away to Bristol City thanks to goals from Emil Riis and Rob Atkinson either side of half time.

Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees: "I'm frustrated that the ball didn't want to go into the goal.

"I think we had 28 shots or something like that, unbelievable attacking play in many parts of the game, but not goals and they scored two and that's the name of the game.

"They did some very good stuff, so frustrating in some ways as a result of not scoring goals, but also proud of many things in how we play, how we act and the togetherness.

"I get a feeling after the game that we are good for real and you'll lose games and the energy from that, and how we go on from that, is the key."

Middlesbrough, who are five points clear of Ipswich and Hull in third and fourth respectively, return to action on Boxing Day when they host Blackburn Rovers.

Middlesbrough head into Saturday's game (15:00 GMT) having won all four of their Championship matches since Kim Hellberg took over as head coach and are now only five points behind the leaders Coventry.

Bristol City are 11th in the table, four points short of the play-offs having failed to win any of their past three league outings.

• Bristol City are unbeaten in their past seven league games against Middlesbrough (W5 D2), winning each of the last four in a row.

• Middlesbrough have lost their past two away league games against Bristol City – only once have they lost three in a row against them (March 2013-December 2017).

• Bristol City are winless in their past three Championship matches (D1 L2) – if they fail to win here, they would equal their longest run without a win in the competition this term (four between September and October).

• Middlesbrough will be looking to win five consecutive Championship matches for the first time since a six-game run between September and October 2023.

• Middlesbrough's Morgan Whittaker has scored in each of his past six league appearances and could equal the record for scoring in most consecutive EFL Championship outings (since 2004-05), a record of seven that is jointly held by Emmanuel Latte Lath (Aug 2024), Aleksandar Mitrovic (Nov 2021), Jordan Rhodes (Feb 2013) and Charlie Austin (Oct 2012).

Everton are keen on Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, but could struggle to sign the 23-year-old former England Under-21 international in January as Boro challenge for promotion from the Championship. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Striker Tommy Conway says ending his 16-game goal drought in the 3-1 win over QPR was the best feeling he's had in a Middlesbrough shirt.

The Scotland international scored from the penalty spot to extend Boro's lead to 3-0 on Saturday, marking his first goal since 30 August against Sheffield United.

Conway told BBC Radio Tees he had "a smile as wide as the River Tees" and it was "a big sigh of relief if I'm being honest".

He added: "[It's been] probably the toughest part of my career to date. Past few months, obviously not scoring and having to deal with that mentally.

"It's been a new challenge but in a way I'm sort of glad that I've come through it. I've come out the other end.

"But I just want to say a massive thank you to all the fans and my team-mates and the staff at the club for sticking by me through this period.

"I could really feel that the crowd wanted me to score and I'm so glad I could give back to them."

Conway said he was "always going to take the penalty" regardless of his recent struggles in front of goal.

"As soon as it hit the back of the net, such an unbelievable feeling, probably the best I've had in a Boro shirt scoring-wise, given it was so long and to give us that comfort in the game then at 3-0," the 23-year-old said.

When questioned whether his belief in himself had ever wavered, Conway said: "If I'm being honest, probably yeah. After the Coventry game [missing a chance from five yards], it was a tough one to take.

"Being away from my family, that's the toughest part of it when you're going through a spell like that. I almost felt guilty letting them down, letting my team-mates down.

"It took me a few days to get over that and then I think I've been back to my best ever since."

Listen to the reaction to Boro's win over QPR on BBC Sounds

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Middlesbrough's football in beating Queens Park Rangers was enough to leave head coach Kim Hellberg purring in delight.

Boro won 3-1 at the Riverside to make it four wins out of four since the Swede arrived on Teesside as the permanent successor to Rob Edwards.

It means they remain five points behind leaders Coventry City, but they have opened up a seven-point cushion over the play-off spots, and Hellberg is delighted at how well life has started for him at Boro.

"I'm just glad to give back a little bit," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"I was well received here and everyone has been excellent to me, everyone in the club and everyone around the club, including the supporters, so it's fun to get some wins and to give back."

Boro did most of the damage in the first half with goals from David Strelec and Morgan Whittaker before Tommy Conway added a third after the break.

But it was that opening half that really left Hellberg enthused.

"The first half was unbelievable," he added. "There was a lot of feelings like, wow, my players are so good.

"It is difficult to keep up the quality for 90 minutes but they did amazing in the first half - it really was top level."

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Championship game against QPR at the Riverside Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his press conference:

• Reflecting on three wins in his first three games, Hellberg says his aim was to earn the trust of the players and fans over the way he wants his team to play "as quickly as possible". He said: "In the beginning I was crossing my fingers and hoping for some good results. So many tough games, you know it's small margins to win or lose. With having so few practices with the lads, it becomes even smaller margins."

• The quality of Boro's players in central spaces is why he changed the system to play two strikers. He said: "It was the feeling of the players, the quality of the players, having a lot of good strikers, having a lot of good central players, having very good full-backs, which means they can play wide. I thought the best quality of our players was being in central spaces. I thought that suited the squad we had rather than playing with wide wingers. If you spread out too much, it becomes more about one-v-one situations."

• The system is still adaptable, though. He said: "It will change through the season. Against Hull we had the full-backs wide, against Charlton, they were playing a back five, so we had them more narrow. It's always about small changes in the system."

• On his attention to detail, Hellberg said: "I love football. I love tactics. It's important to understand it's just one part of it. If the player doesn't run, if the player doesn't tackle, it doesn't matter how good tactics we have. You always need energy from the players. The quality of the players. All those things are key. That's what I love about football. There is so much in it, so many tactics but also sometimes just win the duels."

• The QPR game will be "too soon" for centre-back Dael Fry to return from injury but he is "getting there". Hellberg said: "He will be on the pitch soon."

• On the challenge QPR pose, he added: "They're a good team. Four out of five [wins]. Quick on the counter, good strikers running in behind a lot. Clear shape they use, good with the ball but also OK with having maybe 35% of the ball and go for some counters. They're a very mobile, good team. So, a different challenge but a good one."

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Second-placed Middlesbrough go into Saturday's game (15:00 GMT) in a rich vein of form having won their past three games with Kim Hellberg continuing his perfect start as boss after their win at Charlton last time out.

Boro are flying high in second place and are five points adrift of leaders Coventry.

QPR will be looking to squeeze their way into the play-off positions after picking up wins in their past two games.

The R's, who currently sit just outside the top six but only on goal difference, claimed a dramatic late winner against Birmingham City in their most recent outing.

• Middlesbrough have won their past three league games against QPR, last winning four in a row between November 2015 and January 2018.

• QPR have won four of their last six league visits to Middlesbrough (L2), though they lost 2-1 there in 2024-25.

• Middlesbrough have won 10 of their last 15 home league matches (D3 L2) and won in Kim Hellberg's first game at the Riverside against Derby in November.

• QPR haven't won any of their last six away Championship games in the month of December (D3 L3), last winning back in December 2023 away at Preston.

• Morgan Whittaker has scored three goals in his last five home Championship games for Middlesbrough, having failed to score in any of his first 11 games at the Riverside for the club.

"I don't think we'd be in this position if Rob Edwards was still here. I think what's happened with him going has actually given us momentum to go forward. The players want to prove him wrong and certainly the fans as well.

"[Adi] Viveash played a key role in it with the handover. I think we will move forward and we will get better.

"Certainly me and the Boro supporters I know had never even heard of him [Kim Hellberg]. I thought initially 'what are we doing?'

"But I look at the Brighton manager [Fabian Hurzeler] who is a similar age and what he has done. He reminds me a bit of him.

"He's changed the formation. Did I think we were going to be where we are now? No, I didn't. I'm over the moon."

BBC Radio Tees' Rob Law is joined by Boro fan Ian to discuss the impact of new head coach Kim Hellberg and whether Rob Edwards leaving for Wolves has actually helped the club.

They discuss the tweaks Hellberg has made to the formation, his positive character and the improvement in form with three straight wins compared to three wins in the previous 11 games before the 37-year-old Swede arrived (D5 L3).

Listen to the discussion and the latest on Middlesbrough on BBC Sounds.

"I'm loving the way we are playing football. We're really going for the jugular now in terms of counter-attacking football.

"You're not slowing up, you're having a right go, you're taking chances and it's great to see."

BBC Radio Tees' Paul Addison and former Boro midfielder Neil Maddison reflect on an important win against Charlton that extends new Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg's winning start to a third straight game.

Includes post-match interviews with Hellberg and goal scorer Riley McGree.

Listen to the full reaction and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds.

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Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg was pleased with his side's first half performance in their 2-1 win over Charlton at The Valley.

Goals from Riley McGree and Morgan Whittaker put Boro in control before half time.

George Edmundson's late own goal made things nervy but they held on for a third straight win under Hellberg.

"The first 45 minutes was very good, away from home, playing with pace, striking the ball," Hellberg told BBC Tees. "We were close to creating four or five bigger chances, crosses we didn't get a head or foot on.

"They came out with energy in the first 10 minutes of the second half; we regained control and it felt like we killed it off.

"Of course when they scored a goal, the stadium becomes energised but I was proud of the way we defended."

Hellberg said he wants his team to be braver in possession under pressure but was pleased with their resilience in the second half.

"The second half was not our best football, it was about killing the game off. We had fewer attacking options, they got energy. If we can take more steps we can be better on the ball; it is about being brave.

"It is good to see we can play different types of football."

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Defender Neto Borges says he is "open" to staying at Bristol City beyond this season when his loan deal ends in the summer.

The 29-year-old Brazilian left-back has played 13 matches since joining from Middlesbrough on deadline day in September, starting nine of the past 12 league games.

When asked if he would be open to a conversation about staying with the Robins in 2026-27, Borges told BBC Radio Bristol: "Definitely, yes, if the conversation happens I'm open to it.

"I know I'm on loan here but you never know the future. I'm not saying I'm going to be here next year, because I don't know the plans of the guys here, but I'm part of the team this season, so I'm enjoying my time here."

Image source, Getty Images

The FA Cup third round draw was made on Monday evening, with all 24 Championship clubs entering at this stage of the competition.

Ties will take place between Thursday, 8 January and Monday, 12 January.

These are the ties involving Championship clubs:

• Cambridge United v Birmingham City

• Hull City v Blackburn Rovers

• Bristol City v Watford

• Charlton Athletic v Chelsea

• Stoke City v Coventry

• Derby County v Leeds United

• Ipswich Town v Blackpool

• Cheltenham Town v Leicester City

• Fulham v Middlesbrough

• Burnley v Millwall

• Norwich City v Walsall

• MK Dons v Oxford United

• Portsmouth v Arsenal

• Preston North End v Wigan Athletic

• West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers

• Sheffield United v Mansfield Town

• Sheffield Wednesday v Brentford

• Doncaster Rovers v Southampton

• Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion

• Wrexham v Nottingham Forest

You can see the full draw here.

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg has been speaking to BBC Radio Tees ahead of the trip to Charlton on Tuesday night (kick off - 19:45 GMT).

The 37-year-old has won his first two games in charge of Boro since being appointed on 24 November. Here are the key takeaways from his press conference:

• "It's all about winning games when it comes down to it and when you do that you get more belief, more time, better possibility to work," Hellberg said on his start to life at the Riverside.

• "The players get more energised too, so I think it's been the perfect start in many ways. We turned the game around against Derby, we won the last one. It's been two very good weeks for me. The players have been excellent, they've worked very hard, trying to learn and adapt."

• Morgan Whittaker has scored four goals in four games, including in the 4-1 win at Hull last time out, but Hellberg says he was also impressed with his defensive display. He said: "I think this was the best performance defensively I've seen from him. He was defending for the team in a way I haven't seen him do before."

• Explaining why he deployed Alex Gilbert in a deeper midfield role he said: "Mobility, being brave on the ball, wanting to solve things. I think he has so much quality, especially when he's facing forward. He's very clever, he has a good eye for details in terms of making small things count."

• Hellberg views Charlton as a "man-marking team, aggressive and have a lot of energy". He said: "Good on set plays, they've scored the most in the league. We need to match their energy, they will come at us. They are very brave in the way they defend and quite direct in their offensive play. Great challenge, good, intense team."

• On whether Aidan Morris, Dael Fry, Luke Ayling and Alan Browne could return from injury: "We will see. They are getting closer, so we will see if there can be any additions to this squad or if we have to wait a bit longer. I think they will be back very soon."

• And finally on Charlton fan Norman Barker, 68, who died after collapsing at the Addicks' game against Portsmouth on Saturday: "It's terrible to hear. You wish all the games could be where everyone enjoys themselves and goes home to their family. Very sorry to hear about that. It's an opportunity to come together even stronger and show that everyone is together even if you support different teams."

Image source, Opta

Middlesbrough will seek to close the seven-point gap to leaders Coventry when they visit Charlton on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

Kim Hellberg's side lie second, two points ahead of third-placed Millwall, following their 4-1 romp at Hull City on Friday night.

The Addicks have slipped to 17th, just six points clear of the relegation zone, off the back of four straight Championship defeats while Saturday's game against Portsmouth at The Valley was abandoned after just 12 minutes after a medical emergency in the crowd.

It later emerged the club's Supporter of the Year, Norman Barker, had sadly passed away after being taken ill, with tributes to 'Headphones Norm' expected to be made before the Boro game.

• Charlton have won just one of their past 12 league games against Middlesbrough (D2 L9), beating them 2-0 at the Valley in March 2016.

• Middlesbrough have won four of their past six away league games against Charlton (D1 L1), including a 1-0 win on their most recent visit in March 2020.

• Middlesbrough have won just one of their past eight away league games against promoted sides (D3 L4), beating Oxford United 6-2 in November 2024.

• Charlton have won their past five midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) home league games, including a 1-0 win over West Brom in their only such Championship game this season.

• Middlesbrough have won just one of their past five midweek (Tues, Weds, Thurs) Championship games (D2 L2), beating Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 in October.

New Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg claimed a win to kick-off his time at the Riverside but can he follow it up on the road against a tough Hull City side on Friday (20:00 GMT)?

Boro claimed a 2-1 victory over Derby to put themselves back in the automatic promotion spots but with Millwall, Stoke and Preston North End all looming behind them, they will need a point to ensure they stay there this weekend.

Victory may not come easy though, as opponents Hull seek a place in the top six and their first back-to-back wins since October.

• Hull have won just one of their last six league games against Middlesbrough (D1 L4), a 2-1 away win in December 2023.

• Following a 1-0 win in this exact fixture last season, Middlesbrough are looking to win consecutive away league games against Hull for the first time.

• Hull City have won six of their past 10 league games (D1 L3), with only league leaders Coventry City winning more since the start of October (10).

• Having won their first two Championship away games this season, Middlesbrough have since won just one of their last seven on the road (D4 L2).

• Joe Gelhardt has been involved in nine goals in his last nine Championship appearances (7 goals, 2 assists), netting the winning goal in all five of Hull City's victories in that run.

Could one of Middlesbrough's most influential incoming players in January be someone they have already signed?

Defender Adilson Malanda joined Boro in the summer but was loaned back to former club Charlotte FC until the completion of the Major League Soccer season in November.

With the side under a new manager in Kim Hellberg and defenders Luke Ayling, Dael Fry, George Edmundson and Darragh Lenihan all suffering injuries, the Frenchman's debut will be much welcomed by those at the Riverside.

"Boro are excited about him so I think there would have been an anticipation about him coming in regardless, but there's extra anticipation just because of the state of the defence," The Northern Echo's Dom Shaw told BBC Radio Tees.

"Adilson Malanda feels like a big signing for Boro. Physically, certainly, but also because of what he'll offer the side."

Listen to the full analysis and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds.