Chuba Akpom scored a brace to help Middlesbrough produce one of the most comfortable football results of the weekend in the Championship. After a deftly curled finish in the 32nd minute, Akpom kept up his hot streak with a predatory goal in the 59th to keep Boro third in the standings, 10 points behind second-placed Sheffield United. McCarthy was unable to secure the victory he needed to ignite a comeback for Blackpool, who are still mired in relegation jeopardy. Paddy McNair added a third goal with 20 minutes remaining to compound the woes. Curtis Nelson received his league debut after joining Blackpool from Cardiff as one of two changes made by McCarthy in an effort to snap a 10-game losing streak. This winning streak, which dates back to October, includes Middlesbrough’s 3-0 victory at Bloomfield Road.
With just three losses from his 14 games in charge, Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick has orchestrated a turnaround since adding deadline-day acquisition Dan Barlaser on for his debut in the second half. They played with evident liveliness right away, which resulted in a number of early opportunities that they were unable to take advantage of. The finest of those saw Riley McGree’s shot saved by goalkeeper Chris Maxwell after Cameron Archer’s assist, and defender Darragh Lenihan’s header from a Ryan Giles free-kick clipped against the crossbar. Blackpool failed to make any progress in the final third after an early attack ended in failure, while Middlesbrough continued finding space down the flanks.
After a sharp Josh Bowler run and ball, striker Jerry Yates blasted low and inside the bottom corner, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Shortly after Tommy Smith’s half-volley at the other end forced a good save from Maxwell, Yates headed against the crossbar from CJ Hamilton’s cross. But just before the hour, Akpom’s second goal put the game effectively to rest. After a beautiful move down the right was finished by McGree’s deft pass, he slammed the ball in from close range. Lenihan’s flick-on at a corner was met by McNair, who needed treatment for a cut below his eye in the first half, who secured the victory by side-footing in at the back post.
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