Here's how Middlesbrough's players rated in the 3-1 win at Birmingham City:

7 Steffen: Quiet for the most part but dominated box well, calm with distribution

7 Smith: As solid and reliable as ever. Booked late on.

8 Fry: Another assured display, didn’t give Birmingham’s attackers much of a sniff and stood strong through difficult spell after Birmingham goal.

8 Lenihan: Won the tricky battle with Jutkiewicz. Superb alongside Fry again.

7 Giles: As tireless as ever on the left flank. Solid defensively as well.

7 Forss: Again worked hard on the right flank, created best chance of the first half. Had glorious chance to score early in second half when he was superbly denied by Ruddy.

7 Howson: Booked early on but kept calm throughout and gave Boro the base to play in the second half.

8 Hackney: Just plays with staggering consistency. Hardly put a foot wrong. Looked a cut above in the middle.

7: McGree: Birmingham know McGree well but still struggled to get a grip as Aussie international popped up in pockets of space and caused problems.

7 Akpom: Tidy touches in the first half, dangerous in the second and coolly slotted home 13th of the season.

8 Crooks: Two goals and assist – you can’t ask for much more from your centre-forward. Again justified Carrick’s call.

Subs:

Jones (for Forss, 83): N/A

Bola (for McGree, 83): N/A

McNair (for Akpom, 89): N/A

Subs not used: Roberts, Mowatt, Muniz, Watmore

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Birmingham (3-4-3): Ruddy 6, Colin 6, Roberts 6 (Friend, 35, 5), Trusty 6, Bacuna 6 (Bellingham, 65) , James 5 (Deeney, 65), Bielik 5, Graham 5 (Longelo, 65), Hannibal 6 (Leko, 65), CHONG 7, Jutkiewicz 6.

Subs not used: Etheridge, Chang

Man of the match: Matt Crooks. Certainly didn’t look like a makeshift centre-forward here. Two well taken goals and a fine assist. Matchwinning contributions