Middlesbrough’s top six hopes damaged by Huddersfield

Huddersfield took another big step towards securing their place in the Championship play-offs, and damaged Middlesbrough’s hopes in the process, with a 2-0 win at the Riverside Stadium.

There was drama midway through the first half when Boro goalkeeper Luke Daniels caught Sol Bamba’s backpass, but though the Terriers could not capitalise from the indirect free-kick, they took the lead when Naby Sarr headed in their 20th set-piece goal of the season (41).

Boro offered an increased threat after the break, but saw their fate sealed with an hour gone, when Jordan Rhodes rounded off a sweeping counter-attack and plundered the second.

The result sees Middlesbrough drop to eighth, two points off the top six ahead of the remainder of Easter Monday’s fixtures, with Huddersfield staying third and moving to within a point of second-placed Bournemouth, albeit having played three games more.

How Middlesbrough’s top six hopes were hit again

As the high-stakes clash got under way, Middlesbrough’s primary threat came from Isaiah Jones, who gave Harry Toffolo a hard time on the right flank, but it was Huddersfield who looked the more likely to draw first blood throughout much of the first half-hour.

From nowhere, they nearly did when Bamba flicked the ball back to goalkeeper Daniels; he caught the ball when it looked destined for the net, leading to Terriers players calling for him to be sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Yet the laws of the game state the offence is punishable only by an indirect free-kick, and from the resulting set-piece Daniels made a smart save to deny Rhodes.

Four minutes before the break, though, the visitors did strike. Though carrying a knock after an earlier collision with Marc Bola, Sorba Thomas floated a wonderful free-kick to the far post, which was met by Rhodes, who headed into the path of the unmarked Sarr, who scored for the second game in succession.

Middlesbrough improved to an extent thereafter and were first denied a route back into the game when Lee Nicholls held Marcus Tavernier’s cut-back, before Tom Lees made a brave block to charge down an effort from Duncan Watmore.

But within seconds, Huddersfield had doubled their advantage. The hosts had been vulnerable to their hosts’ counter-attacking capabilities and paid the price when Lewis O’Brien swept the ball out to Rhodes, who slammed in with his weaker left foot.

Boro almost found a late way back, when Riley McGree plucked the ball from within a crowd and struck with power, but his shot came off the crossbar, as for the fourth game in succession, Chris Wilder’s men failed to score.

Man of the match – Jordan Rhodes

Don Goodman on Sky Sports Football:

“I can’t believe this man’s work today. Don’t forget he set up the opening goal and then scored a brilliant one of his own. He has been a constant thorn in Middlesbrough’s side.”

Micky Gray on Sky Sports Football:

“If managers and coaches who take Jordan on now don’t know what his game his, it’s a waste of time. His hold-up play isn’t the best but when you get him turning and into that 18-yard area, he always wants to score goals. If you provide the service for him, he will score goals for you.”

What’s next?

Huddersfield are back in action at 7.45pm on Friday April 22, when they host Barnsley at the John Smith’s Stadium at 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports Football. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, return at 3pm on Saturday April 23, when they travel to the Swansea.com Stadium to take on Swansea.