Middlesbrough put the noise around Rob Edwards' impending exit to one side to claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory over an enterprising Birmingham City at the Riverside Stadium. With their head coach absent after being granted permission to speak to Wolves, Boro relied on first-half goals from captain Dael Fry and local midfielder Hayden Hackney to edge a contest in which the visitors enjoyed long spells of control.
Demarai Gray had briefly brought Birmingham level with a close-range finish from a corner, and Chris Davies' side, buoyed by back-to-back 4-0 wins over Portsmouth and Millwall, pushed relentlessly for an equaliser after the break. But a combination of Sol Brynn's goalkeeping, last-ditch defending and a little first-half fortune ensured the three points stayed on Teesside, lifting Middlesbrough back into the Championship's top two at the end of a turbulent week.
Managerial turmoil, fan anger and a ferocious Boro start
The backdrop to the afternoon was as dramatic as anything on the pitch. Two hours before kick-off, Middlesbrough confirmed that compensation had been agreed with Wolves and that Edwards was free to discuss a move to the Premier League strugglers. Assistant Adi Viveash, supported by first-team coach Harry Watling and academy manager Craig Liddle, was asked to take charge and spoke of trying to 'control the controllables' in the build-up. The home support made their feelings clear: banners declaring that 'fans deserve to see people who really want to be here' were unfurled in the South Stand, and chants aimed at Edwards rolled around the stadium from the first whistle.