Middlesbrough close on leaders Brighton after win aided by Leeds errors

Middlesbrough kept their Sky Bet Championship promotion charge on track with a 3-0 victory over Leeds at the Riverside Stadium – their seventh straight victory in all competitions. Efforts from David Nugent and Diego Fabbrini sandwiched Giuseppe Bellusci’s own goal as a tame Leeds side left Teesside empty-handed . 

Middlesbrough headed into the clash knowing victory would move them a point behind leaders Brighton and five ahead of third-placed Reading – and they started like a team with that in mind, with Nugent opening the scoring in the second minute.

Things went from bad to worse for Leeds as Bellusci headed into his own net after 32 minutes, with their anger growing when Mirco Antenucci saw a goal ruled out for offside just after the break. A miserable afternoon was capped in the 81st minute when Fabbrini capitalised on Sol Bamba’s slip to add further gloss.

The hosts flew out of the blocks and took the lead with their first attack. Fernando Amorebieta’s searching long ball found Nugent, who flicked on for Christian Stuani. The forward ran on to the ball, before beating Charlie Taylor twice and sending a cross to the back post, where Nugent controlled and powered an effort beyond Marco Silvestri.

Boro were almost 2-0 up in the 11th minute as Albert Adomah delivered a dangerous centre that Bamba chested towards his own goal to force a fine save from Silvestri.