Match Report: Cardiff City 1 Boro 3

Boro dug deep to show both character and class in picking up yet another vital victory.

The class came in some of the play and the goals scored by Marcus Forss, Cameron Archer, and Riley McGree and the character came as Boro showed great resolve that ensured the three points returned to Teesside.

Five months ago, Cardiff blew Boro away at the Riverside scoring three goals in what was as  convincing a first half performance as you will see – but the Boro of today are a completely different proposition and Michael Carrick's side are in irrestible form.

Carrick’s men started the contest well, playing some neat stuff, and Forss had an early effort deflected for a corner after some great passing play in the build-up.

The in-form Finn showed all his class to open the scoring shortly after the quarter-hour. There was more good build-up play, and when the ball fell to Forss he made no mistake in putting it past Ryan Allsop to give Boro the advantage.

Cardiff had new manager Sabri Lamouchi at the helm and one-time Boro man, and former Bluebirds favourite, Sol Bamba was alongside him, and they were looking for the bounce that new faces bring to the touchline.

They got that lift less nine minutes after Boro had taken the lead when Callum Robinson capitalised on a loose ball at the back and crossed for Sory Kaba to level the scores.

The goal gave the largely docile Cardiff City stadium a lift. Cedric Kipre denied Archer with a strong challenge and Kaba went straight through the back of Daragh Lenihan when the ball was returned upfield.

Mahlon Romeo also put his body in the way after Ryan Giles and Riley McGree combined well.

When Boro continued to threaten Allsop punched away a corner, and the return shot was deflected behind.

The second goal came before half-time, and Archer profited from a terrific ball from before rounding Allsop to convert with a aplomb. It was great movement and a great finish by the on-loan youngster and enjoyed celebrated his first goal in a Boro shirt.

Zack Steffen made his first real save of the game before half-time when he kept out a Joe Ralls effort, but it was Boro who almost scored again before the break. Giles was the provider and Forss hit the upright with a header which Allsop wouldn’t have reached.

Boro started the second period on the front-foot and Tommy Smith had an early effort blocked by Kipre.

The City defender was involved at the other end when he headed a Ryan Wintle corner into the turf, but it bounced back over the Boro bar to safety.

Isaiah Jones was introduced to the fray in place of Forss as the game headed towards the final 20 minutes.

Lenihan went into the book when he clipped Jaden Philogene on the edge of the box, but the free-kick was well defended by Boro.

It looked like being all over with 13 minutes remaining when Giles found Akpom, but the in-form marksman struck the post with his effort.

Boro’s second change of the afternoon saw Dael Fry replace Archer for the closing stages, and that was followed by Matt Crooks’ introduction in place of Akpom.

The hosts did apply the pressure late on, but Boro dug deep and made sure of the win when Crooks played a fine ball for McGree to score the third goal of the afternoon.