Middlesbrough ran riot at a wet, windy Hull to extend their perfect start under new head coach Kim Hellberg, beating the Tigers 4-1 and consolidating second place in the Sky Bet Championship.
David Strelec gave Boro an early lead when Morgan Whittaker’s left-wing cross was flicked on and the ball fell to Strelec, who turned and fired high into the net in the ninth minute despite Hull appeals for offside. Hull had a scare shortly after the half-hour mark when Strelec rifled wide following Semi Ajayi’s momentary hesitation, only for sloppy play from the restart to hand Middlesbrough another chance.
Alex Gilbert made them pay in the 32nd minute, drilling a first-time low shot past Ivor Pandur from the edge of the box after a neat lay-off from Tommy Conway. Three minutes later Gilbert’s pressure forced Regan Slater into an error; he fed Whittaker, who cut onto his left and curled expertly past Pandur to score for the fourth game running. Riley McGree completed the first-half rout in the 44th minute when Alex Bangura’s run down the left produced a cut-back and McGree recovered from a heavy first touch to slot past Pandur.
Hull were booed after the fourth and again at half-time, with many supporters leaving early. The hosts improved after the break and pulled one back in the 62nd minute when a loose back pass let Joe Gelhardt through; he was upended by goalkeeper Sol Brynn and converted the penalty — his eighth in 10 games. Despite that, Hull offered little else and were booed off at full-time as Middlesbrough, seven points behind leaders Coventry, cruised to victory and moved five points clear of third-placed Millwall.
Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic admitted his side were poor in the first half and praised their second-half response but said mistakes and a lack of composure in possession made the early deficit impossible to overcome. Hellberg hailed his players’ attitude and calmness on the ball, praising Gilbert’s midfield performance and saying he was proud of how quickly and fluidly the team played. He said the focus now shifts to the next match at Charlton.