Middlesbrough swept aside Queens Park Rangers 3-1 at the Riverside to maintain Kim Hellberg's perfect start in the Championship and strengthen their grip on an automatic promotion place. First-half goals from David Strelec and in-form winger Morgan Whittaker put Boro firmly in control, before Tommy Conway finally ended his goal drought from the penalty spot early in the second half. Nicolas Madsen replied with a penalty of his own, but it proved no more than consolation for the visitors.
Hellberg, a relative unknown on Teesside only weeks ago, has now overseen four wins from four since replacing Rob Edwards, following in the footsteps of Bryan Robson as only the second Middlesbrough boss to begin with such a run. His side were dominant for long spells, monopolising possession, suffocating QPR's counter-attacking threat and playing with a fluency that underlined why Julien Stephan later described them as the best team his side have faced this season. For QPR, who arrived in the North East with four wins from their previous five league games, this was a sobering afternoon despite a spirited late response.
Hellberg's high-tempo blueprint takes firm hold
The transformation under Hellberg continues to gather pace. The Swede, who led Hammarby to successive runners-up finishes in Sweden's Allsvenskan, has quickly imprinted a clear identity on his new side. Here, his players delivered what he himself described as an 'unbelievable' first half, blending control on the ball with ferocious work out of possession. Middlesbrough moved the ball at speed, interchanging positions and asking constant questions of QPR's defensive structure.