By Middlesbrough FC

A goal apiece for forwards Emmanuel Latte Lath and Marcus Forss made it back-to-back wins for the Boro. 

Well drilled in defence and demonstrating a clinical edge in the second half, the Teessiders claimed an impressive three points against in-form hosts in the capital.

Michael Carrick was able to name an unchanged starting XI and substitutes bench from the midweek win against Norwich City, a rare luxury for the Boro boss in an injury-hampered campaign.

QPR came into the contest unbeaten in four, and they enjoyed a string of early corners to test Boro’s defensive resolve. Skipper Jonny Howson got his body in the way of a header from Jimmy Dunne, while Sam Field scooped over when the ball broke in the Teessiders’ area. 

Seny Dieng was the busier goalkeeper in the first 45 at the hands of his former employers, and after Lucas Andersen's shot was charged down by a throng of Boro bodies, he made a smart save to deny Chris Willock’s low effort, Luke Ayling then sending the loose ball away to safety. 

Dieng was called into action again later in the half to save from Ilias Chair, who had been sent in behind following a miscommunication in Boro’s ranks. 

Riley McGree had probably Boro’s best effort of the half, the ball sitting up for a volley which he struck nicely but narrowly wide.

61%

Possession

40%
10

Shots

7
2

Shots On Target

4
10

Corners

3
11

Fouls

7

2

0

Cards

5

0

Carrick’s side were more assertive in the early stages of the second period, but had a remarkable piece of defending to thank for keeping the scores level. Rs substitute Paul Smyth collected a ball over the top and managed to round Dieng to leave the goal at his mercy, but back came Rav van den Berg with a superb sliding tackle to avert the danger. 

From there on in, Boro took control of proceedings, and properly tested Begovic for the first time when Paddy McNair pulled back to McGree from the byline for a shot at the Hoops stopper. 

Soon after, Boro were in front, Howson’s free-kick lofted back across by Matt Clarke perfectly for Latte Lath, whose instinctive volley found the bottom corner past a scrambling Begovic. 

The hosts rallied, and more disciplined defending was required from the Boro as Howson and Clarke each made important blocks. 

And captain Howson had a telling role in Boro’s second, keeping his composure on the counter to feed it right for Luke Ayling, whose deep cross to the back post was headed home expertly by Forss. 

QPR: Begovic, Dunne, Cook, Clarke-Salter, Paal (Larkeche 78'), Colback, Field (Hayden 55'), Willock, Andersen (Armstrong 79'), Chair (Smyth 55'), Frey (Dykes 55')

Subs: Dykes, Smyth, Hayden, Fox, Hodge, Cannon, Larkeche, Armstrong, Walsh

Middlesbrough: Dieng, McNair, van den Berg, Clarke, Ayling (Dijksteel 94'), Howson, O'Brien, Engel, McGree (Azaz 90'), Forss (Silvera 78'), Latte Lath (Greenwood 78')

Subs: Barlaser, Isaiah Jones, Gilbert, Dijksteel, Silvera, Azaz, Glover, Greenwood, Thomas