Michael Carrick hailed Middlesbrough's lethal attacking duo of Chuba Akpom and Ryan Giles after the pair combined to fire Middlesbrough to a brilliant Boxing Day victory over Wigan.

Akpom fired a second half hat-trick against the struggling Latics to move joint top of the Championship's goal charts - and all three goals were made by Wolves loanee Giles.

Marcus Forss gave Boro a half-time lead with his third goal of the season before Akpom and Giles took centre-stage after the break and fired Carrick's side to within two points of the Championship's top six.

Carrick said: "We spoke at half-time about the key positions in the game and trying to work more space, especially for Duncan (Watmore) and Chuba,

"We felt we could cause them more problems than we did in the first half, and the boys did well, especially in possession.

"We played some terrific football and Chuba got on the end of it. He'll get the headlines and praise for the goals but it was more the link-up play and the problems he caused them.

"I'm delighted for him. He's on a right purple patch at the minute and long may it continue."

Akpom now has nine goals in his last 10 Championship appearances and 12 for the season - level at the top of the second tier goal charts with Coventry’s Viktor Gyokeres.

Carrick said: "I've not spoke to him about that (finishing top scorer), for me it's all about the team.

"Of course I'd love him to finish top scorer, it would mean as a team we're playing well and getting the benefits from it.

"It would be an added bonus if he can do that. As long as we're winning, whether he's scoring one, two or three, as long as he's contributing to us winning I'm happy with that."

Carrick also picked out Giles for praise after his brilliant contribution.

He said:  "We know what Gilo is capable of and we try to get him in those positions. It's important we play to our strengths.

"Gilo's game is getting forward. His delivery and left foot is top quality."

The victory came in front of a sell-out crowd, the first in the league at the Riverside since 2017.

Carrick said: “Hopefully they keep coming back in their numbers. It’s great for us to play in font of an atmosphere like that. We were desperate to give them something to really enjoy and that little boost after Christmas. We want to keep that relationship pushing on together, that’s important for us."