Match Report: Boro 4 Wigan Athletic 1

Chuba Akpom was the hat-trick hero as a sell-out Riverside celebrated Boxing Day with a win against Wigan Athletic.

Marcus Forss had opened the scoring for Michael Carrick's men before Akpom bagged a second half treble to secure the points.

Boro started the game firmly on the front foot and there was an early opportunity when Forss glanced a header wide of the mark

James McClean was lucky to avoid an early booking after going over the top to fell Isaiah Jones.

Wigan also had to react well to clear a Ryan Giles cross after a delightful switch by Jones. The resultant corner saw Jamie Jones punch the ball clear from underneath his own bar.

When the visitors had an opportunity, Zack Steffen pulled off a great save to deny Nathan Broadhead.

It was Jones who was next to make a big save when he got his hands on a powerful strike from Duncan Watmore.

Boro were a threat from set-pieces and Will Keane almost turned one into his own goal before a throw-in led to the opener.

Watmore did well after receiving the ball and he played it to Forss who converted with aplomb.

Darragh Lenihan had a header deflected wide as Boro won a series of corners to apply more pressure on the visitors.

Wigan’s modus operandi was to defend in numbers and look to hit Boro on the break and Keane went close after a McClean ball into the box.

There was a lengthy stoppage shortly before the half-time whistle after Jonny Howson found himself on the wrong end of an accidental elbow.

The Boro skipper didn’t return for the second period and was replaced by Alex Mowatt.

The Boro sub had a hand in the move that led to Hayden Hackney feeding Giles who drilled the ball back into the box for Akpom to apply the finishing touch.

It was a goal which took Akpom into double figures for the season and was his sixth in eight games.

The in-form marksman was involved in the build-up when Forss was denied a certain goal by the boot of Charlie Hughes.

It was 3-0 on the hour, though, when Akpom bagged his second of the afternoon with a quality finish after a Giles pass was deflected into his path in front of goal.

Moments later, Wigan got themselves on the scoresheet with a great volleyed strike from Theo Aasgaard which left Steffen with no chance.

But Boro continued to press to add to the scoreline. Giles wasa twice denied by the feet of a defender, Forss went close, and there were shouts for a penalty when Akpom went over in the box.

Akpom had an opportunity for a hat-trick with seven minutes left, but he was denied by Jones, who made an excellent save.

His treble came in stoppage time after yet another Giles cross came into the box and he made no mistake from close range.