Match Ratings: Hull City 1 Middlesbrough 3

HULL (4-5-1):

Baxter 5; CHRISTIE 7, Figueiredo 4, Fleming 5 (Coyle 72), Greaves 5; Docherty 4, Seri 6, Tufan 4 (Longman 81), Woods 5 (Sinik 54, 4), Slater 5 (Pelkas 54, 4); Estupinan 5.

Subs (not used): Ingram (gk), Jones, McLoughlin.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-1-1):

7 Steffen: Made a crucial save at the start of the second half when he tipped over Estupinan’s effort and generally dealt with balls into the box well

7 Smith: Was solid defensively and delivered a superb cross to enable Akpom to open the scoring at the back post

8 Fry: Marked the dangerous Estupinan out of the game and was back to his dominant best at the heart of the back four

8 Lenihan: Was unfortunate to deflect Christie’s effort into the net, but made up for it instantly as his header led to Boro’s second goal

8 Giles: Poured forward down the left-hand side in the second half and fired in the low shot that led to Boro’s final goal

7 Jones: Was much improved from the weekend as he displayed more pace and purpose down the right

6 Howson: Still isn’t quite hitting top form, but played an important role as he helped shackle Hull’s midfielders

6 Hackney: Kept the ball moving nicely, although there were times when he was sitting too deep to be a real influence

6 McGree: Is generally neat and tidy in possession, but needs to start showing a bit more steel in the tackle

9 AKPOM: Has been a revelation in the last two games, and was excellent again as he linked play in the hole between midfield and attack

6 Forss: Led the line with purpose and power on his return to the side, even if he never really looked like threatening the goal

Subs:

6 Muniz (for Forss, 70): Helped ensure Boro were a threat on the counter-attack in the closing stages

Crooks (for McGree, 84)

Mowatt (for Hackney, 90)

Dijksteel (for Jones, 90)

(not used): Roberts (gk), McNair, Hoppe.

Man Of The Match: CHUBA AKPOM – Michael Carrick’s decision to play the forward as a ‘number one’ has proved to be a real masterstroke.