Matt Targett struck twice inside the opening 26 minutes and David Strelec added a second-half header as Middlesbrough returned to winning ways with a 3-1 Championship victory over Birmingham City at St Andrew's. The visitors made their quality count at key moments, punishing defensive lapses before withstanding a spirited Birmingham rally to take an important step forward in the promotion race.
After three games without a win, Boro produced the kind of clinical away display their league position demands, even if there were periods when they were made to suffer. Marvin Ducksch's goal early in the second half briefly had the home crowd believing a comeback might be on, but Strelec's header on the hour restored the two-goal cushion and sealed a rare defeat for a Birmingham side that had previously lost only once at home in two years.
Former Villa Man Targett Silences St Andrew's with Early Brace
The atmosphere was predictably intense at kick-off, with a Birmingham side boasting a formidable recent home record looking to impose themselves, but it was the visitors who struck first with the game's opening clear chance in the 13th minute. Aidan Morris picked his moment to send a precise diagonal pass into the path of Targett, who timed his run perfectly to get in behind the defence and slide a composed finish beyond James Beadle.