Middlesbrough 1-0 Wolves: Lankshear header seals win for Boro

Middlesbrough marked their 150th anniversary in style as Will Lankshear’s second-half header secured a deserved 1-0 victory over promotion rivals Wolves at a sold-out Riverside Stadium.

The Teessiders, who sat third going into the game, produced a controlled and purposeful display against a side widely tipped among the favourites for automatic promotion. After a goalless first half in which Kim Hellberg’s side enjoyed the greater share of possession and territory without carving out a clear opening, they found the breakthrough just before the hour mark.

Tommy Conway did superbly down the left, wriggling past his marker before delivering an inviting cross to the far post. Lankshear, the summer signing from Tottenham, peeled away from Hugo Bueno, rose highest and powered a firm header past Jose Sa for his ninth goal of the season in all competitions. It was a clinical finish that rewarded Boro’s dominance and lifted the roof off the stadium on a special afternoon for the club.

Wolves, managed by Cesar Peixoto, struggled to impose themselves for long periods and were restricted largely to hopeful efforts after the interval. Substitutes Rafiki Said, Jordan James and Fer Lopez were introduced in an attempt to change the pattern, yet their shots either flew wide or failed to seriously trouble Tomas Vitek. The visitors’ best moments came from set-pieces and late pressure, but a resolute Middlesbrough defence, marshalled by the excellent Aidan Morris in midfield, stood firm.

Boro almost made the points safe in the closing stages when substitute Kyle Joseph, on for Lankshear, crashed a header against the underside of the crossbar with virtually his first touch. The woodwork denied them a second, yet it mattered little as the hosts saw out five minutes of added time to claim a statement win.

The result lifted Middlesbrough above West Ham into second place in the Championship table, two points behind leaders Swansea, while Wolves suffered only their second league defeat of the campaign. On a day of celebration for the Teesside club, the three points felt every bit as significant as the occasion itself.