Middlesbrough

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Middlesbrough fan Dana Malt fears the side may have a sense of "complacency" after they scraped a 2-2 draw with Birmingham on Saturday.

Boro were able to capitalise on a mistake from Blues goalkeeper James Beadle to equalise in the 88th minute, but Malt's concern comes from the side's own errors to concede.

A chaotic corner saw Riley McGree score an own goal and while Adilson Malanda may have scored his maiden goal for the club to earn them a point, he was also involved in the build-up the other end.

"Why are we so vulnerable from crosses into our box?" Malt said. "We have to two 6"4' defenders and a 6"6' keeper - am I missing something?

"I know height doesn't necessarily equal being good in the air but half of the goals that we've conceded this season in all competitions have come from crosses into the box.

"It feels like there is complacency into our games at times, typified by that lax moment from Malanda in the build up to their goal."

Listen to more reaction including interviews with Kim Hellberg and Luke Ayling below or on BBC Sounds here.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Championship match after Middlesbrough came back to earn a 2-2 draw at Birmingham City.

Here are some of your comments:

Birmingham City fans

Kevin: Beadle is again a liability and has again cost us points. Poor managers decision again to substitute forward players for midfielders towards the end of the game, which inevitably leads to pressure on our goal (no out-ball) and yet another late equaliser. No lessons are ever learnt.

John: Feels like two points dropped, refereeing was horrendous, poor error from Beadle to lose the ball (but then again it shouldn't have been a free kick in the first place).

Eleven points from the first eight games is decent going considering the tough fixture list we had, but some games so far (in particular against Wolves, Southampton and the first half an hour vs Norwich) we should have been more clinical and taken more points than we have (as well as some refereeing decision going against us like the disallowed Millar goal vs Norwich).

Ed: Always make a big mistake to put the team under pressure.

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Middlesbrough fans

Ken: A point away is a good point. We have to stop putting ourselves under pressure. We need to play the full 90 minutes.

Raymond: Picking the wrong players is becoming a habit.

Malcolm: Boro's manager has worked wonders and built up a great squad, but if I have a slight criticism it is that mainly players should play in their recognised positions. Malanda should be selected as a centre-back with Ayling used sparingly these days.

Sam Fletcher
BBC Final Score reporter

Image source, PA Media

It was another star performance for Middlesborough's 21-year-old Brighton loanee Amario Cozier-Duberry against Birmingham.

You won't see his name on the scoresheet this time, after scoring in both of the previous two games, but he was a creative engine on the right, contributing yet again.

An "assist" doesn't credit him enough for the long, stylish run he put in for the first goal.

He showed great skill and determination skipping past multiple defenders to create an opportunity in the middle of the box for Max Arfsten.

Middlesborough might have missed the chance to go top of the league - as they were at half-time - and there is perhaps some work to do defensively.

However, there was an awful lot of quality on show as they rescued a point.

And again Cozier-Duberry stood out, made even more impressive after playing 232 minutes in just the past week.

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg spoke to BBC Radio Tees after seeing his side score a late leveller in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Birmingham City at St Andrew's.

For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

A longer international break can help the quality of the Championship as well as give new players a chance to acclimatise, according to Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg.

This weekend wil be the final games for Championship clubs for three weeks as they take a break while four Nations League fixtures are played but Hellberg is relishing the chance to take stock.

Boro have played 10 fixtures in league and cup since their 2025-26 season kicked off on 7 August but, after Saturday's game at Birmingham, will not take to the field again until they host Wolves on 10 October.

"It's been crazy where we've had the fourth week in a row with a game in the middle of it but this is the last game before the international break which will be good for us," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"When you have so many players coming in in such a short amount of time and you're still playing games, that's been the biggest challenge and when you travel and play games all the time it's difficult for the players to prove themselves."

Middlesbrough are third in the table and may have the chance to go top with a win at St Andrew's on Saturday (15:00 BST) and the Boro boss is hoping after the weekend a rest will help him strengthen his side's chances of promotion.

"It's a bit longer than usual so you to treat it a bit differently which can benefit the league. It's been full-on for the teams, especially the ones doing well in the cup who have been playing a lot of games," he said.

"We're going into a crazy period of time around Christmas so hopefully it can benefit the quality of the league in general and for us it comes at a good time.

"We can train the players and get them up to fitness and give the new players a possibility to get in the team and work through their fitness in training."

Listen to more Middlesbrough interviews and content on BBC Sounds.

Birmingham City are hoping to pick up their first home win of the season when they face Middlesbrough on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Boro head to the Midlands on a five-game unbeaten in in the Championship.

• Birmingham City have lost each of their past seven Championship games against Middlesbrough since a 2-0 win in October 2021 under Lee Bowyer.

• Middlesbrough have won seven of their past eight league visits to Birmingham, including their last five in a row since a 2-1 defeat in October 2019.

• Birmingham have drawn all three of their home games in the Championship this season, one of two sides to do so, along with Cardiff. The last sides to draw each of their first four home matches of a campaign in the division were both the Blues themselves and Ipswich in 2018-19 (both drew first 5).

• Middlesbrough have scored in each of their past 11 league games (W6 D4 L1); they last enjoyed a longer run in August 2018 (19 games).

• No side has earned more points from losing positions in the Championship this season than Middlesbrough (7), four of which have come across their last two matches against Norwich (3) and Millwall (1).

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg spoke to BBC Radio Tees after Boro's second half comeback at home to Millwall, in which they came from two down at the interval to draw 2-2.

For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg says his side have made a very strong start to the season before their match against Millwall on Tuesday.

Saturday's thrilling 4-3 win against Norwich City has lifted Boro up to fourth in the Championship table as they welcome the Lions to The Riverside.

A win on Tuesday would take Boro top of the league.

"I think in general it's been a very, very strong start to the season," Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees.

"So many new players, we lost so many of the players that played every game for me last season. A lot of them coming in late.

"The group of players have had a brilliant start to the season and now it's about getting more points on the board in the two games we have left before the three-week break."

You can listen to the full interview with Kim Hellberg here.

Image source, Opta

Middlesbrough host Millwall at The Riverside Stadium on Tuesday (19:45 BST) in a game between two sides that made it into last season's play-offs.

Boro are coming off the back of a thrilling 4-3 victory against Norwich while Millwall lost at Blackburn on Saturday.

• After their 2-1 defeat in April, Middlesbrough could lose back-to-back league games against Millwall for the first time since February 2013.

• Millwall are looking to enjoy back-to-back league wins away to the Middlesbrough for only the second time in their history, after achieving the feat in April 2014.

• Middlesbrough have only won one of their last six midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) home games in the Championship (D2 L3), although that was their most recent, beating Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 in April.

• Millwall have won both of their last two league games played on a Tuesday, last winning three in a row on this day of the week in January 2019 (run of 5).

• Millwall's Alex Neil has only lost one of his seven managerial games away to Middlesbrough in the Championship (W3 D3), a 0-2 defeat with Preston in March 2021.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Middlesbrough's 4-3 win over Norwich City in a seven-goal thriller on Saturday.

Here are some of your comments:

Middlesbrough fans

Noel: Winning is important - but playing for the badge and the club with heart and until the last minute is number one for Boro fans and this team under Kim Hellberg are doing it. Credit to Middlesbrough FC from the top down and back up. UTB.

Chris: Very exciting game with both sides full of talent. Cozier-Duberry fantastic. Worrisome defence for Boro at times

David: Boro are unable to defend. We are going to need to score three or four goals every match to compensate.

Neil: Massive psychological win, great determination to never give up and grab an injury time winner.

NDB Boro: That was a hard watch as a Boro fan, I thought we were in control but I have to say Norwich were excellent too going forward and looked threatening every time. Phillips did well when he came on and to score the winner put the cherry on the cake! Well done Boro and Norwich, a great watch for the neutral but not much fun at times as a Boro fan!

Image source, PA Media

Norwich fans

Big Vince: Same old Norwich. Can't defend. To score three goals away and come back home empty handed is nothing short of criminal. I thought last season Clement had a better balance between attacking and defending, but this season he has gone gung-ho which has led to 4 defeats already. Not good enough. Need to defend the box a lot better.

Duncan: Same old.

Paul: Playing out from the back has always cost Norwich along with next to no marking in the penalty area. But this particular back four just can't gel and promotion will never be possible while we play like amateurs defending.

Fred: Don't mind losing games 4-3. This is what football is all about. I'd take it over a 0-0 every time, even on the losing side.

William: Pre-season optimism of Norwich doing well is fading fast. Four defeats now in seven league matches and yet to keep a clean sheet. Hope Man City rest Haaland this coming Thursday.

Adam Cottier
5 Live reporter

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When Hayden Hackney left Middlesbrough for Everton in the summer there might have been some concern that his was a void that boss Kim Hellberg would struggle to fill.

But step forward Aidan Morris. Already at the club for a while, of course, but now an absolute focal point of this exciting Middlesbrough team.

Amid the madness of Saturday's chaotic and enthralling 4-3 win over Norwich, there was a steady head, a calm and technically astute footballer who made sure his side ticked on to the very end: it was the American midfielder.

Morris is clearly hugely appreciated at the Riverside and his performance appeared crucial as those around him flourished as well.

Defensively there were blips, but Norwich have dangerous players and were a stern test here.

I left Teesside in no doubt that Middlesbrough have added extra dimensions to their game, looking more like promotion contenders than they did when Hellberg arrived last November.

Amario Cozier-Duberry, for example, adds a real threat in attack and had a promising league debut.

A mention too for Sebastian Berhalter - the actual player brought in to replace Hackney - he looks to be another shrewd acquisition.

But there probably isn't a central midfielder better than the all-action Morris in the second tier at the moment.

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg spoke to BBC Radio Tees after Boro's incredible 4-3 victory over Norwich City, in which defender Ashley Phillips scored an injury-time winner.

For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

Middlesbrough are going for a third successive home win to start the Championship season when they host Norwich City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Canaries make the journey to Teesside on a two-game winning streak.

• Middlesbrough are unbeaten in nine league meetings with Norwich (W6 D3), after losing five in a row to the Canaries.

• Norwich have lost three of their past four Championship visits to Middlesbrough (D1), failing to score in their last two.

• Middlesbrough have won each of their past four home league games, their longest run since March 2023, when they won seven on the bounce.

• No side has won more Championship games in 2026 than Norwich City (17, level with Southampton).

• No player has scored more goals in the Championship this season than Will Lankshear (five, level with Cyle Larin).

Image source, Getty Images

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison believes Boro lacked the "killer instinct" to compete against Premier League side Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Boro were knocked out of the competition following a 3-0 defeat despite enjoying 59.3% possession in the match and attempting more shots (16 to eight).

"You can have all the possession you want, possession doesn't win you games," academy ambassador Maddison told BBC Radio Tees.

"I thought we could have gambled a little more around their box. A couple of chances where you can get your shots off, put balls into the area, but I felt they coped with that really well.

"We played some lovely stuff and I was really impressed at times. The difference was both 18-yard boxes. They defended theirs really well and we didn't."

Listen to the full reaction below or on BBC Sounds here.

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Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg insisted his side took "a massive step forward" despite exiting the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 defeat by Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

Jorgen Strand Larsen scored headers in each half before Daichi Kamada added a third as Palace advanced to the fourth round.

Hellberg admitted his players needed to be better in certain moments but was happy with the performance and, with more players coming back from injury, believes competition for places will see the team get even better.

"It is tough to say it was a 3-0 game," he told BBC Radio Tees. "In many ways we were quite good. When they were around our box they were better and we don't defend the first two goals as well as you need to. In general, we had a good game, we had chances to score at 1-0.

"We were around their box a lot of times but we need to do more in those moments, be more direct, take the ball central when we had the chance but in general a lot of positive things even if the result was not what we wanted.

"It feels tough to be down 2-0 after 55 minutes but that is also a quality thing. It should have been a more even game for a longer time.

"I have a lot of different players and now more people are coming back and you can see the quality in the squad and how they want to work and how we play football.

"We need to keep taking steps around the two boxes, but I think this game in terms of how we play was a massive step forward against a very strong side. There will be a lot of competition around and you need to take your chance when you play."

The trip to Selhurst Park was Boro's fifth away game in six matches and their third over the past week. Hellberg is glad to be back home against Norwich on Saturday but is delighted with how his players have handled the schedule.

"It has been travelling all the time and hotels and everything so it will be nice to be back at The Riverside," he said. "I am happy and pleased for the supporters and how the players have done over this week and played football. A lot of the things we have done have shown we are on a good path forward."