SHEFFIELD UNITED 1, MIDDLESBROUGH 3
Michael Carrick’s remarkable start to his managerial career continued as Middlesbrough won at second-placed Sheffield United.
When the former Manchester United and England midfielder took over at the Riverside, Boro were fourth bottom and battling relegation.
But after 12 wins in his first 16 matches, Boro have climbed to third place and suddenly the Blades a no longer looking a shoe in for an automatic promotion place as they looked.
Though United remain second, Boro have reduced the deficit to seven points after another imperious display.
After falling behind to an early goal from Oliver McBurnie, Boro battled back with an equaliser from Chuba Akprom and a brace from Cameron Archer.
Embed from Getty ImagesA delighted Carrick said: “I am immensely proud of the lads and the belief they showed when we were 1-0 down.
“It was a big challenge coming here against a team playing well and on a great run. And going a goal down made it an even bigger challenge.
“There are not many tougher tests, and the boys responded incredibly well. It was not about the league position but the performance and we gave the fans a lot to enjoy.”
Boro paid for a poor start as the Blades took a fifth minute lead when they failed to clear Jack Robinson’s long throw and McBurnie, replacing the injured Billie Sharp, headed home his 12th goal of the season.
Indeed, Boro were lucky not to fall further behind in the opening 10 minutes as they were indebted to on-loan Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen who blocked well to deny James McAtee, another City loanee, and Iliman Ndiaye.
Boro gradually grew into the game and levelled in the 25th minute when top scorer Akpom netted his 18th goal of the season.
Marcus Forss played the ball in from the right to Akpom who cut inside John Egan before firing low into the far corner, a classy finish.
Both sides could have gone ahead in the remainder of a lively opening period as McBurnie and Jayden Bogle went close for the Blades while Akpom was denied by home goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and Riley McGree fired into the side netting.
Boro were not slow out of the blocks for the second half as they went ahead in the 48th minute.
Left back Ryan Giles made a barnstorming run half the length of the field. He was tackled by Oliver Norwood on the edge of the penalty area only for the ball to break to Archer who fired high into the roof of the net.
It was the second goal Archer has scored for Boro since last month’s loan move from Aston Villa.
Archer struck again with 16 minutes left to seal victory, but it was a goal clouded in controversy.
The Blades claimed McAtee was fouled – replays showed he clearly was – before Boro broke with Hayden Hackney releasing Archer to slot home his second of the match.
Heckingbottom, incandescent with rage that the foul was not given, was shown a red card by referee Andre Mariner.
Steffen denied the Blades a late second goal with a fine fingertip save to turn substitute Daniel Jebbison’s shot around the post.