Middlesbrough

Both sides missed chances in the first period when it looked easier to score, firstly the visitors came close when Isaiah Jones fluffed his lines from close range before Josh Koroma hit the woodwork in front of an open goal for Town.

Second-half substitute Josh Coburn opened the scoring nine minutes after the break but the hosts pulled level thanks to Michal Helik’s strike from the edge of the box.

Another chance presented itself to Boro from the penalty spot but Howson saw it saved by Jacob Chapman, only for him to net moments later as Michael Carrick’s side returned to winning ways.

Middlesbrough missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 18th minute as Jones lifted the ball over Chapman inside the area and only needed to tap into an empty net but he miskicked the ball and Huddersfield somehow recovered.

Huddersfield had a chance of their own as Koroma burst into the area but hit his effort straight at Tom Glover in the Boro goal.

On the half-hour mark, it was the hosts’ turn to spurn a chance with the goal at their mercy as Koroma latched onto a through ball from Sorba Thomas, rounded the goalkeeper but crashed his effort off the crossbar.

Town were the quickest out of the blocks following the interval and almost hit the front when Koroma’s curling effort was palmed narrowly wide of the target by Glover.

The deadlock was broken by the visitors in the 54th minute when Morgan Rogers fed Coburn, with the substitute cleverly dinking over Chapman from close range.

Huddersfield were not behind for long and levelled six minutes later as the ball fell to Helik outside the area and he let fly from distance to find the net via the post.

Town thought they had turned the game on its head with a quarter to go when Thomas rifled into the top corner only for the assistant referee’s offside flag to cut celebrations short.

Middlesbrough were given an opportunity to hit the front from the penalty spot when Ben Wiles brought Rogers down inside the area, but Howson stepped up and saw his spot-kick saved by Chapman and go out for a corner.

Howson made up for his error as the resulting corner fell to the Boro skipper inside the area and this time he made no mistake with a volley which bounced into the net, condemning Huddersfield to their third defeat in five outings.

The Tractor Boys scored a goal in each half to secure a third straight win and stay a point behind leaders Leicester – even though goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky had to make a few important saves.

Ipswich are also 18 points clear of seventh place after 20 matches and the festive period approaching, with McKenna wanting his side to keep going.

The impressive Conor Chaplin’s eighth goal of the season put Ipswich on track nine minutes before half-time when his half-volley deflected off Matt Clarke and flew in.

And 20-year-old substitute Omari Hutchinson, who had only been on the pitch five minutes, finished brilliantly after he had been put through by Chaplin with 23 minutes left to seal the win.

Ipswich manager McKenna said: “This was a really complete performance, especially for an away game. We controlled most elements of the game, high and low, out of possession and in possession.

“The only thing I think we could have done better was we should have created cleaner chances. First half we should have done that with the moments we had.

“We were good value for the first goal. The second goal was very important. Defensively we felt in control, but at 1-0 anything can happen. It was a big goal and I am delighted for Omari.

“That was a good team goal. The execution of the finish for a young player was good too. It was a nice combination and a nice finish.

“There was also a really good performance for the keeper. His composure on the ball helps our build-up in the first phase and he made some big saves. He was there when we needed him”

McKenna and Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick are good friends from their time together as coaches at Manchester United.

And Carrick was left frustrated that his side could not find the extra gear in the final third to cause more problems for Ipswich.

Carrick, who had nine players ruled out, said: “I’m disappointed obviously. We knew coming into this that they are a good team. We had to be at our best to get a result. We were a little short on a number of things, we were not quite firing.

“Second half we were better in terms of pressing, regains, and I fancied us to get back into it and then the second goal came. We did try to press and left some space, that was the way we went in the second half. That was their second shot on target.

“I feel for the boys in there because of the effort, they just lacked the fine edge, the quality in the bigger moments.

“Both boxes are what makes the difference, everything in between gives you a chance. We just didn’t quite have that little bit extra.”

Carrick, who has nine players ruled out, said: “We have a number of games coming up. We would like everyone to choose from, we will try to get everyone back.

“That’s the challenge we have. It is not easy. There are challenges we face and we have to make the best of it. All the boys have different timeframes, a few are touch and go for Wednesday (against Hull), we will see.”

Daniel Farke's side dominated the opening 30 minutes of the match before three goals in eight minutes put the game to bed inside the first half.

Dan James opened the scoring on the half-hour mark, firing into the top corner from the edge of the area, before Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson made it comfortable.

The result marked Plymouth's fourth game without a victory and they dropped into the bottom three on goal difference due to results elsewhere.

Sunderland were held to a goalless draw away to second-bottom QPR, which opened the door for those below to reduce their lead at the top of the table.

While Dan Neil hit the post for the Black Cats in the first half, it was the hosts who were the better team for long periods.

The game turned in the second half when Jobe Bellingham was sent off after 58 minutes for a poor challenge on Zan Celar, but neither side was able to find a winner.

Elsewhere, Watford moved above West Brom into fifth after they hammered Sheffield Wednesday 6-2 at Hillsborough for their second away win of the season.

The result ended a six-game losing run on the road for the Hornets, who were drawing 1-1 at half-time and saw Vakoun Bayo score four goals inside 30 second-half minutes.

Coventry also made it back-to-back league wins for the first time this season with a 3-0 victory away to Middlesbrough that moved them up to 13th.

The hosts had Hayden Hackney sent off after 22 minutes for two yellow cards, which allowed the Sky Blues to ease to three points. As a result, Michael Carrick's side are three points off the play-off positions in 10th.

A relentless opening saw five goals scored in the first half alone, starting with Boro going in front through Isaiah Jones just seven minutes in, but the visitors soon got their foot back in the game with goals from Summerville and Patrick Bamford in the space of 11 minutes.

An enthralling end-to-end encounter saw Emmanuel Latte Lath level on the 30 minute mark but Wilfried Gnonto restored Leeds’ advantage from a ruthless attack.

Summerville extended the advantage in the second half before Latte Lath’s header threatened a late comeback. However, Leeds held on for a victory which means they leapfrog Ipswich into second place, albeit having played a game more than the Suffolk club.

Middlesbrough took the lead in the seventh minute when Luke Thomas won the ball on the left flank and played in Finn Azaz, who flicked a quick pass to an onrushing Latte Lath.

Illan Meslier came out to block the ball, which bounced underneath him and into the path of Jones, who raced past defender Junior Firpo and stabbed the ball into an empty net.

Leeds composed themselves and equalised just seven minutes later when Anfernee Dijksteel clipped Georginio Rutter’s ankles in the area and Summerville stepped up to fire the subsequent spot-kick into the bottom left corner.

The visitors took the lead in the 18th minute when former Boro striker Bamford came back to haunt the Riverside, bundling in Firpo’s cross with his thigh past goalkeeper Seny Dieng.

After threatening from some corners, Boro got an equaliser on the half-hour mark when Leeds were dispossessed from a throw-in in their own half. Azaz found an unmarked Latte Lath on the edge of the box and Meslier could only palm the forward’s powerful strike into the net.

Leeds regained their lead nine minutes later with a well-worked attack through the middle involving Archie Gray, with Summerville threading the ball into Gnonto, who smashed it past Dieng.

The visitors nearly had another just minutes later in a similar style, but Bamford’s effort was pawed away by Dieng and Sammy Silvera smashed a shot over the bar just before the break.

The hosts patiently passed around the pitch in a quieter start to the second half and Lewis O’Brien and Dijksteel tested Meslier with some dangerous crosses.

However, Leeds dealt the next blow from another devastating break in the 61st minute when Firpo played through to Summerville in acres of space on the left and the forward scored his second of the evening with a curling shot across goal.

The game still had another twist when Latte Lath set up a manic finale after looping a header over Meslier from a pinpoint cross in the 87th minute.

The visitors were forced into some frenetic defending and Meslier made a low dive to deny Jonny Howson’s effort in stoppage-time to wrap up victory.

A relentless opening saw five goals scored in the first half alone, starting with Boro going in front through Isaiah Jones just seven minutes in, but the visitors soon got their foot back in the game with goals from Summerville and Patrick Bamford in the space of 11 minutes.

An enthralling end-to-end encounter saw Emmanuel Latte Lath level on the 30 minute mark but Wilfried Gnonto restored Leeds’ advantage from a ruthless attack.

Summerville extended the advantage in the second half before Latte Lath’s header threatened a late comeback. However, Leeds held on for a victory which means they leapfrog Ipswich into second place, albeit having played a game more than the Suffolk club.

Middlesbrough took the lead in the seventh minute when Luke Thomas won the ball on the left flank and played in Finn Azaz, who flicked a quick pass to an onrushing Latte Lath.

Illan Meslier came out to block the ball, which bounced underneath him and into the path of Jones, who raced past defender Junior Firpo and stabbed the ball into an empty net.

Leeds composed themselves and equalised just seven minutes later when Anfernee Dijksteel clipped Georginio Rutter’s ankles in the area and Summerville stepped up to fire the subsequent spot-kick into the bottom left corner.

The visitors took the lead in the 18th minute when former Boro striker Bamford came back to haunt the Riverside, bundling in Firpo’s cross with his thigh past goalkeeper Seny Dieng.

After threatening from some corners, Boro got an equaliser on the half-hour mark when Leeds were dispossessed from a throw-in in their own half. Azaz found an unmarked Latte Lath on the edge of the box and Meslier could only palm the forward’s powerful strike into the net.

Leeds regained their lead nine minutes later with a well-worked attack through the middle involving Archie Gray, with Summerville threading the ball into Gnonto, who smashed it past Dieng.

The visitors nearly had another just minutes later in a similar style, but Bamford’s effort was pawed away by Dieng and Sammy Silvera smashed a shot over the bar just before the break.

The hosts patiently passed around the pitch in a quieter start to the second half and Lewis O’Brien and Dijksteel tested Meslier with some dangerous crosses.

However, Leeds dealt the next blow from another devastating break in the 61st minute when Firpo played through to Summerville in acres of space on the left and the forward scored his second of the evening with a curling shot across goal.

The game still had another twist when Latte Lath set up a manic finale after looping a header over Meslier from a pinpoint cross in the 87th minute.

The visitors were forced into some frenetic defending and Meslier made a low dive to deny Jonny Howson’s effort in stoppage-time to wrap up victory.

Daniel Farke's side edged a seven-goal thriller with a last-gasp winner against Swansea City on Sunday, but had no such drama to contend with three days later at Elland Road.

Sam Byram scuffed an early chance but inadvertently teed up his own sumptuous volley for a 10th-minute lead, before Joel Piroe scored on the rebound from close range on the stroke of half-time.

Substitute Dan James made sure of a routine win in the second half as Leeds moved ahead of second-placed Sheffield United on goal difference, with that pair two points clear of Burnley.

At the other end of the table, Queens Park Rangers climbed off the bottom spot with a 2-0 away triumph over Cardiff City thanks to Zan Celar's first two goals for the club.

The Slovenia international faced heavy criticism after missing a penalty in Saturday's draw with Stoke City, but silenced his critics with strikes in either half at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Fellow strugglers Portsmouth slipped down to the bottom of the league after their match was postponed against Millwall due to floodlight failure at Fratton Park.

Play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough had scored 15 goals across their three-game winning streak, though that came to an abrupt halt after Dominic Hyam's 83rd-minute strike snatched victory for Blackburn Rovers.

Michael Carrick's side still sit sixth, occupying the last play-off spot, but Blackburn's victory saw them jump up to eighth and just two points behind their hosts at the Riverside.

Swansea City secured a 2-1 victory over Derby County in Wednesday's other game, with the visitors doing the damage in the first half after goals from Zan Vipotnik and Ronald.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing pulled one back for Paul Warne's hosts at Pride Park, where defeat left Derby 15th and four places behind Swansea, who bounced back from successive defeats previously.

While three of the top four were at home on Tuesday, Daniel Farke's side arguably had the toughest assignment.

But Boro were swept aside by Leeds despite the visitors benefiting from a Maximilian Wober own goal that cancelled out Wilfried Gnonto's early opener.

Leeds had to wait until the 74th minute to restore their lead through Daniel James, before Brenden Aaronson's stoppage-time goal made sure of a 3-1 victory.

Elsewhere, Burnley could muster only a goalless draw at home to Derby County, while Sunderland required a last-gasp leveller from Patrick Roberts at home to Bristol City, drawing 1-1.

Although Sheffield United could replace Leeds at the summit on Wednesday, Farke's side are now three points clear of third-placed Burnley and four clear of Sunderland in fourth.

Blackburn Rovers leapfrogged Boro into fifth after beating Sheffield Wednesday.

At the other end of the table, Portsmouth climbed out of the bottom three on goal difference after a 0-0 draw at home to Norwich City, but there was no respite for Wayne Rooney and Plymouth Argyle.

After back-to-back thrashings at Norwich and Bristol City, Plymouth suffered their first home defeat since August, going down 2-1 to Swansea City in a result that leaves them 23rd.

Despite losing on penalties at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night, the Robins were able to bounce back with a much-needed win at Middlesbrough.

Jason Knight’s cool finish in the 16th minute after he had been put through by Lukas Engel put Bristol City in charge.

Less than two minutes later Matty James fired in the second in off the post following a misplaced Hayden Hackney pass.

Middlesbrough could not find a way back into the contest, despite pulling one back in stoppage-time when Finn Azaz’s effort deflected in off the back of Samuel Silvera.

Manning, whose side had not won in the league since Boxing Day, was relieved to finally see his side claim three points.

He said: “We had six changes from Wednesday and the lads put in so much to Wednesday, so we needed everybody.

“The fact we found a way to win in a variety of ways is something to learn from. I made two changes early second half too because I felt energy was going to be important.

“We played 120 minutes on Wednesday, plus the travel, it has been a relentless programme for us. We came here with no excuses and you have to max out. I enjoyed it.

“The first half plan worked. The players did a terrific job in implementing it.

“We knew they would have a lot of possession and we were happy to give them it in front of us. We did an excellent job of counter attacking.

“We did an outstanding job of competing, we had blocked shots and crosses, we showed a great togetherness second half.

“They had very few chances really. I was pleased with the second half for different reasons.”

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick felt that his side had given themselves too much work to do after falling two behind.

Carrick’s side have now won just one of their last seven league matches at the Riverside – leaving them six points off the play-offs.

Carrick said: “I thought there was enough in the game for us to get something.

“In the end we didn’t start particularly well, we didn’t start like us and paid the price.

“Those two quick goals gave them a massive start in the game. My players showed character and ended up playing good football, it just didn’t go for us. In the end it was too much.

“We finished the first half with good signs, the boys looked like themselves and we carried that on. I still thought we looked a threat, we just didn’t end up finishing it off.

“I have belief in the boys, there is s still a lot of good things going on in the game. I know they are capable of taking the chances. We have to believe it will turn.”

In freezing temperatures at the Riverside, Boro failed to find the firepower to turn possession into enough goals to close the gap to the Sky Bet Championship play-off spots.

And it looked as if Rotherham, still rooted to the foot of the table, had made Michael Carrick’s men pay with Cafu’s 59th-minute opener.

The 30-year-old Portuguese winger’s first goal of the season looked like it could end a 14-match winless run away from home dating back to November 2022.

But Forss’ powerful strike in the 82nd minute levelled things up to secure a point for the hosts.

Middlesbrough controlled things by and large from start to finish but reached half-time goalless, yet Rotherham could easily have taken an early lead.

Jordan Hugill, the former Middlesbrough striker and Teessider, wasted a fantastic chance from just outside the box. He spotted goalkeeper Tom Glover off his line but his lob from 22 yards out dropped wide.

After that the home side, who lost winger Isaiah Jones through injury early on after he fell under a Hugill shove, created plenty of openings but lacked the scoring touch.

Defender Matt Clarke headed wide from a corner while Finn Azaz missed the target after he had cleverly been played in behind the Rotherham backline.

Sam Greenwood forced goalkeeper Viktor Johansson into a flying save to his right from distance and that was moments before the forward appeared to be pulled back in the area by defender Peter Kioso.

Despite Boro’s complaints, referee Darren Bond waved play on and dismissed any claims for a penalty.

Before the break substitute Forss was denied by Johansson following an incisive Hayden Hackney pass but otherwise Rotherham were pretty solid.

Millers head coach Leam Richardson’s tactics continued to frustrate Middlesbrough after the restart and after a few more Middlesbrough runs came to nothing, Rotherham broke the deadlock just before the hour.

Hugill’s excellent pass with the outside of his boot after strong play from Jamie Lindsay was perfectly weighted for Cafu to run on to and finish first time low and beyond Glover.

After that Rotherham attempted to slow things down again and Johnasson was booked for taking too long on a goal-kick after full-back Luke Ayling had fired wide from the edge of the area.

Matt Crooks, Josh Coburn and Lewis O’Brien were introduced in a bid to turn things around and within seconds of the latter pair’s arrival on the pitch, Forss levelled.

Morgan Rogers, who has reportedly been the subject of Aston Villa bids this week, burst into life. His flick was perfect for Forss to hammer inside Johansson’s near post with eight minutes left.

Middlesbrough thought they had won it in stoppage time when Coburn slid in to finish, but the flag went up for offside because Crooks had attempted to make contact with the cross at the near post.

Robins agreed a new four-year deal with the club he took over in 2017 on the eve of Wednesday night’s 1-0 semi-final, second-leg victory at Middlesbrough which kept alive their hopes of making it all the way from League Two to the Premier League.

A thrilled Robins said: “We’ve beaten Middlesbrough over two games to get to Wembley and the final, I’m really proud of the players regardless of what happens.

“They’ve all worked as hard as they possibly can, they all try their best every day, so for that, I’ll always be proud. That’s all you can do.

“Whatever happens next happens, but it won’t be for the want of trying, that’s for sure.”

Victory was sealed by the only goal of a tense 180-minute shoot-out when Gustavo Hamer fired into the top corner after City had pounced on a loose pass by Ryan Giles and Viktor Gyokeres had rounded keeper Zack Steffen.

Boro belatedly launched an all-out assault, during which substitute Matt Crooks headed home from an offside position and Cameron Archer stabbed over the crossbar, but the visitors, who have spent 22 long years outside the top division, held firm to extend their fairytale season.

Asked about Hamer’s contribution, Robins revealed he had undergone a painkilling injection before the game.

He said: “He was phenomenal. I’m surprised he didn’t faint – he had an injection in his knee before the game so he could play. I don’t know what was worse, whether it was the injury or the needle going in.

“He was brilliant. When Vik’s gone through and he’s taken it round the goalkeeper and it falls then to Gustavo, you just breathe out because he just does it every day.”

For Boro head coach Michael Carrick, an evening which promised so much ended in bitter disappointment, although he urged his players to learn from the experience.

Carrick said: “Hopefully it’s the start of something. That’s up to us to make the next step, as hard as it is right now. It’s a tough one to take, it’s a tough experience for some of the boys.

“Most of the time I’ve felt through my career in life in general the tough moments are the ones that you end up learning from and coming back stronger when you come through it, so as tough as it is now and horrible to go through – and we’ve got a lot of time to think about it over the summer – we’ve got to come back stronger.”

Sakamoto joined Coventry from Oostende last summer, but the Japanese winger failed to score in his first 13 matches for the club.

His performance levels were good though, and Robins always felt it was only a matter of time before things started clicking for the 27-year-old in front of goal.

Sure enough, Sakamoto has now netted five times in his last four matches, with his double at the Riverside helping to secure a win that lifted Coventry to within three points of the play-off places in the Sky Bet Championship.

Robins said: “He’s been really good, and the confidence is coming. We’ve been waiting for it. He’s got the ability, and now he’s got the confidence and belief too.

“That’s really good for us, and really good for him. He also creates. He’s technically outstanding, and to get through the games that he has done is a real credit to him.”

Sakamoto won two international caps in 2021, but was not named in the Japan squad for the upcoming Asian Cup, meaning he can continue to play for Coventry this month.

That is a relief to Robins, although if the winger continues to perform as he has in the last few weeks, an international recall could well be in the offing.

Robins said: “They’ve got some really good players. The Japanese are outstanding, you could see that in the World Cup last year.

“They’ve got some excellent players, and there’s more and more of them playing in Europe and the UK. Tatsu is a brilliant outlet for us, and you can see the connections that are being made and that he’s starting to form. That’s pleasing for us for the second half of the season.”

Middlesbrough were without 13 senior players because of injury or call-ups to either the Asian Cup or Africa Cup of Nations, and having established a first-half lead through Josh Coburn, Michael Carrick admitted his side ran out of steam as Coventry dominated in the second half.

Carrick said: “I think it’s understandable. It felt like the tank just emptied at the wrong time for us today, in terms of their energy.

“I can’t fault them. It’s such a small pool of players we’ve had to pick from a patch-up game to game over recent weeks. It probably just caught up with us at the wrong time today because first half I thought we were fantastic.

“I thought we played some fabulous football and should have, could have, been up at half-time. In the end, they are a good team, they’re dangerous and they’re on a good run as well.”

The home side took a 37th-minute lead when young midfielder Taylor Gardner-Hickman cut in from the left and netted his first Robins goal with a superb curling right-footed effort that went in off the crossbar at Ashton Gate.

It was 2-0 in first-half injury time, Tommy Conway sending goalkeeper Seny Dieng the wrong way with a low spot-kick after Matty James had been brought down in the box by Dael Fry.

Boro were back in it after 50 minutes when a Matt Crooks shot came back off the crossbar and City defender Zak Vyner headed the rebound back past Max O’Leary for a bizarre own goal.

Two minutes later Crooks equalised with a low drive from an Emmanuel Latte Lath pass into the box, only for City to retake the lead through Sykes’ sweet volley from a narrow angle.

Both sides might have scored in a rousing finale, but Manning’s men held on for a hard-fought three points.

Middlesbrough started the game brightly and looked comfortable for much of the first half. They had the first effort at goal after five minutes when Sam Greenwood’s shot was hit straight at goalkeeper O’Leary.

Gardner-Hickman had a deflected shot gathered by Dieng when City threatened for the first time moments later.

Boro had the ball in the net midway through the first half when Isaiah Jones converted a low Greenwood cross at the far post – only to be flagged offside. Seconds later Lukas Engel shot wide for the visitors.

Gardner-Hickman’s brilliant strike came when home fans were starting to get frustrated by their team’s back-and-across football.

It sparked panic in the Middlesbrough ranks and Conway should have netted moments before his penalty when running onto a poor back-pass from Jones, only to be denied by Dieng’s sprawling save.

Fry was booked for a foul on Conway before the incident that saw him penalised for fouling James and the successful penalty ensured City left the field to a rousing ovation.

Michael Carrick sent his Boro team out early for the second half, which saw them attack towards the end occupied by their travelling fans.

Those supporters soon had their mood transformed by two quick goals and suddenly it was City looking shellshocked.

They recovered to go back in front when Rob Dickie’s header from a corner was saved and Sykes pounced to fire home the rebound.

Boro almost equalised again when a deflected cross from substitute Samuel Silvera hit the base of the near post and bounced back into play.

The visitors applied late pressure, but City almost snatched a fourth on the break when substitute Anis Mehmeti’s shot was saved by Dieng.

Boro made the Championship play-offs last season and are targeting another promotion push this term but lost their first two games of the campaign without scoring a goal.

But Carrick felt his side were much improved in the home draw with the Terriers, with Hayden Hackney rescuing a point for Boro with a stunning 61st-minute strike to cancel out Dael Fry’s own goal two minutes into the second half.

Boro, who sold last season’s Championship golden boot winner Chuba Akpom to Ajax this week, handed debuts to striker Emmanuel Latte Lath and left-back Lukas Engel.

Young summer signings Rav van den Berg, Sammy Silvera and Morgan Rogers were also in the XI and Carrick believes his team will get better and better as the new recruits find their feet.

“I thought it was a really encouraging performance to be honest,” he said.

“It was a really tough game. They’re a good team and really make you work for a result. The way they play, they’re really effective and tough to play against.

“I thought we did a lot of good things in the game, looked dangerous and created chances and probably, definitely, should have scored more goals.

“It’s kind of the way it’s going for us, we’re doing some good things and getting punished for things we should maybe do better but now and again you get away with.

“Things just aren’t quite dropping as nice as they might do but I’m really encouraged.

“At 1-0 down it can be frustrating, you can get anxious and doubt yourself but I thought the boys were terrific and should have gone on to win the game with the chances and how well we finished.”

Boro started well and had the better of the first half but Town had their moments, with Brahima Diarra hitting the post.

The Terriers burst out of the blocks after the restart and had chances to double their lead after the opener but after Hackney’s brilliant equaliser Boro were the better side and Aussie winger Silvera had a glorious chance to win it in stoppage time but skewed his effort over the bar.

Huddersfield, like Boro, are still winless and Warnock had mixed emotions after the draw against his former club.

He said: “There’s disappointment but at the end it’s relief when they had a couple of great chances.

“We got it right at half-time and in the first 20 minutes of the second half it was as good as we’ve played and that’s when you have to score your goals.

“That’s been the story of quite a few games, not taking our chances and giving silly goals away.

“We haven’t got the facilities to bring in the top players so we just have to get on with what we’ve got, not moan and enjoy it.

“I’m going to enjoy it. The lads did me proud. If we carry on like that, we’ll get some points this year. We can go anywhere and give them a game.”

Substitute Samuel Silvera smashed home a 77th-minute free-kick from just a few yards out, breaching Swansea’s wall of defenders on the goal-line.

“It’s a strange one. I’ve not seen it for a long time,” said Middlesbrough manager Carrick, who recalled his former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo once scoring in similar circumstances at Old Trafford.

“It certainly doesn’t mean it’s a guaranteed goal because it’s not easy to find a way through.

“It was quite interesting to what the lads came up with because it’s not something you see often and therefore we haven’t planned for it. I’ll hold my hands up to that.

“But two of the younger boys (Silvera and Morgan Rogers) have been smart enough and said, ‘This is my moment, I know what I’m going to do’. That pleases me even more.”

Carrick insisted it was “definitely a back pass” and said he appealed for the free-kick on the touchline, adding that Boro deserved to end their three-game losing streak.

Sam Greenwood, on loan from Leeds, fired the visitors in front two minutes before the break, with Jamal Lowe heading Swansea level near the hour mark.

Carrick said: “I’m delighted with the boys for their effort and the spirit to get through a game like that where it didn’t come easily for us.

“It wasn’t a naturally free-flowing performance. We’ve had them recently and not won, so to do so this time feels good.

“There was a feeling before the game actually with the boys about finding a way to win and having that winning feeling. Sometimes you have those games where you have to find a way.”

Swansea caretaker manager Alan Sheehan felt it was a “brave call” by referee Matthew Donohue to punish Rushworth 13 minutes from time.

“It was a crazy decision, whether it’s right or wrong it’s a big call,” Sheehan said.

“Is it an interception or a back pass? Carl Rushworth is one of the best keepers in the league with the ball at his feet, so for him to think he can pick it up tells me enough.”

This was Sheehan’s third game in charge and Swansea hope to appoint a permanent successor to Michael Duff before Friday’s home game against Preston, with Tottenham coach Chris Davies their preferred candidate.

“I’m more proud now than I was against Stoke (1-1 draw on Tuesday),” Sheehan said. “This was a step in the right direction, maybe two steps.”

The Teessiders’ season looked to effectively be over when they dropped to 14th after last month’s 2-0 defeat at Stoke, but they have embarked on a six-game unbeaten run that has reignited their promotion hopes.

They have closed to within six points of sixth-placed Norwich thanks to a comfortable victory over the Owls, which was achieved through a Michael Ihiekwe own goal and a deflected second-half strike from Isaiah Jones.

Carrick said: “There comes a point towards the end of the season where we are where we are, and you understand that and grasp it. You can then try to use that as a motivation.

“Five or six games ago, it was a case of getting back to basics and being solid and hard to beat. It was about trying to win games again, and we’ve done that.

“Southampton (a 1-1 draw on Good Friday) was a move in the right direction in terms of the football we want to play, and then today we’ve added to that again.

“I thought we looked a lot like the team we want to look like today, and I was pleased with that.

“Of course, we’ve got to keep trying to win games and see where that takes us, but the end of the season is getting closer now and while there’ll be swings week to week, I think you’ve got to embrace that at this stage.”

Carrick was especially pleased with his side’s defensive display despite the absence of a host of senior players that resulted in Jonny Howson having to play centre-back for the second game in a row.

Boro have conceded just one goal in their last five matches, with their improved defensive performances having played a major role in their unbeaten run.

Carrick said: “I think we’ve defended well as a team and pressed well. Different scenarios, different little tweaks of personnel, but I keep talking about the wavelengths and connections.

“Jonny has just shown his experience and his class. He’s stepped in and understood it straight away.

“I know he’s played there a few times, but I think he’s quite enjoyed that bit of a fresh challenge. You could see that, and I thought he was terrific again.”

Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl pulled no punches as he bemoaned his side’s lacklustre showing as they slipped to 23rd in the table with just six more games to play.

“The supporters are high level, Premier League level, but from us, there was nothing,” Rohl said.

“I have showed my players one clip immediately after the game, and that clip showed everything that was wrong. If you lose the ball, then you have to work. If you play forward, then you have to push out. If the opponent moves right, you have to move right, but we were not moving right.

“We can speak about the shape, the players, everything, but it was simply not good enough. It was a big, big disappointment.

“If you are not doing the basics right, that is really disappointing.

“If you do not have the right attitude, it will be hard, and if the attitude is not right, it will be hard to take anything over the next six games.”

Having failed to win in their opening seven league matches, it would have been easy for Boro’s players to have crumbled when Adam Armstrong opened the scoring at the Riverside Stadium.

Instead, they continued trying to play their football and were rewarded when Riley McGree rifled home an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

With Southampton fading, Middlesbrough were the better team for most of the second half and they secured the win that lifted them off the foot of the Sky Bet Championship table when Josh Coburn was pulled down by Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jonny Howson slotting home from the penalty spot.

Carrick said: “It’s hugely positive. I just said to them in the dressing room, I was standing on the touchline in the second half thinking, ‘whatever happens here, I couldn’t ask any more of any of the players’.

“I speak a lot about how strong the group are, but words are words and some people might not believe what I’m saying. But it’s times where you’re tested where you see people’s true characters come out. That’s when you see what people are about and you saw that today.

“We started well, but we went a goal behind and it wouldn’t have come easy for them to put in the performance and the effort that they did.

“You could see the togetherness and the spirit, and that’s what made me most proud. The win came and that was brilliant. I was standing there on the touchline in the second half really proud of them anyway. That’s more powerful than a one-off result.”

Having started the season as one the favourites to win promotion, Boro have underperformed in the first six weeks of the campaign, but Carrick feels his players will emerge stronger because of their struggles.

He said: “I think that will help us moving forward and we’ll be stronger for the way we’ve all stuck together when it hasn’t quite been going so well.

“The supporters are included in that – to see the stadium like that at the end, with everyone enjoying it and celebrating, was great. It’s one game, but it’s not so much the one game and the result, it’s the overall feeling and collective support we feel that is the most important thing.”

Southampton started the season reasonably strongly, but have now suffered four successive defeats, with manager Russell Martin admitting his players are suffering a hangover from last season’s relegation.

Martin said: “The mentality needs to change. We had the game where we wanted it, but then for some reason, we let the game fall out of our grasp and slip. That’s a mentality problem, it’s not a lack of effort, for sure. The players are working extremely hard, but it’s not a quick fix at the club.

“It’s been a tough however long it’s been – certainly a tough year or 18 months. There’s a huge hangover from that, probably bigger than we thought. But we’ll continue to give everything we can and build into a better team and a better club.

“We want to give the fans a team to be proud of, but at the minute, we’re going through a really tough moment. We need the supporters more than ever, but we understand their frustration. We have to keep working, it’s as simple as that.”

Boro beat Port Vale in midweek to reach the last four of the League Cup for the first time since winning the competition 20 seasons ago and have a two-legged tie with Chelsea to look forward to in the new year.

But Carrick is determined to ensure league form does not suffer and was delighted after his side’s victory over Albion as Boro closed the gap on the Championship’s top six to three points.

“Naturally after Tuesday and the highs and the draw and people talking about Chelsea, I thought our mentality was top quality to reset and start again and put a top performance in,” Carrick said after Morgan Rogers’ first-half goal secured a third successive win in all competitions.

“There was so much to take from it. It was a proper performance and a proper win.

“It’s been an excellent week and for different reasons. The battling performance at Swansea wasn’t pretty, but we found a way to win. The boys showed plenty of courage to do that.

“The performance in midweek was totally different. It was a different environment and a very good performance for what we needed on that occasion.

“And then today, I felt we showed a bit of all sorts against a really good team. The boys will take a lot from it, I’m sure.”

Rogers, a summer signing from Manchester City, has played most of his football as a substitute so far for Boro this season but was handed a start after impressing and scoring against Port Vale in midweek.

He scored the winner against Albion five minutes before half-time and created a string of opportunities after the break as Boro pushed for more goals.

Carrick said: “He creates, he’s dangerous. He’s a huge talent. He’s fantastic to work with, he wants to learn and get better all the time and is desperate to give what he can for the team which is brilliant.

“He’s got a terrific attitude for the game and is showing his quality.

“You can see he’s growing here, he’s at home here and belongs here and you can see him growing all the time.”

West Brom remain fifth in the table but have now won just one of their last five games.

Boss Carlos Corberan had no complaints about the outcome at the Riverside.

He said: “I think the result was fair. I saw Middlesbrough in general were better than us. The early stages were balanced and we had a couple of possibilities to score a goal, but they made us defend deeper and found a way to attack us.

“When we did break their press we couldn’t create something. In the second half we needed to be more aggressive but couldn’t find the energy.

“Little by little Middlesbrough found a way to move us deeper. In the second half it was clear we needed to react and be more aggressive, but we lost the ball too often and they were comfortable defending against us.

“I like how Middlesbrough attack and defend. They will be fighting for the play-off positions because they have a very good squad with a very good coach.”

Carrick and his players were woken in the early hours on Sunday morning after fireworks were set off outside the Forest of Arden hotel at which they were staying ahead of their first-leg clash with the Sky Blues at the CBS Arena.

Whether the ploy, which has been attributed to mischievous City fans, worked or not is moot after the teams fought out a 0-0 draw, and everything is still to play for in the return at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Asked if he was the sort of person who ever lost sleep over football matches, a relaxed Carrick said: “I’m generally a good sleeper fortunately.

“Sometimes after games…before games I sleep well – most of the time before games, I sleep well. Sometimes after games, if it’s a night game especially…

“It was a little bit worse when I was a player because there’s that little bit more adrenaline going through your system, but most of the time I sleep pretty well.”

Mark Robins and his players can expect a hostile welcome and a packed Riverside as Boro attempt to book a trip to Wembley and a showdown with either derby rivals Sunderland or Luton, with the Hatters facing a 2-1 deficit as they welcome the Black Cats to Kenilworth Road on Tuesday evening.

Asked if that reception might extend to a tit-for-tat last-night display of pyrotechnics, Carrick said: “Fireworks? I don’t know.

“As I said after the game, I had a little chuckle and went back to sleep. Fans are fans, they want to create the atmosphere.

“For me, it’s about in the stadium, the atmosphere and how the boys can feed off it. We’ll prepare and we’ll plan and we’ll go into the game exactly as we would for any other game.

“But there’s no hiding that extra adrenaline. That extra spark that the supporters inside the stadium can create for us is vital to give us that boost, and I’m sure the boys will feel it and feed off it and hopefully respond to it very well.

“But it won’t affect how we prepare for the game. That will be a natural kind of feeling that we benefit from.”

Since signing from Atalanta in the summer for a fee believed to be around £4million, the Ivorian has been in and out of the side and this was only his second Championship goal.

But the substitute’s cool finish with six minutes remaining put the finishing touches to Boro’s third league win in a row to climb up to 16th, leaving them five points shy of a play-off place.

And Carrick, who watched Latte Lath find the net in the Carabao Cup win at Bradford a week ago, said: “Emmanuel, that’s two in two for him and we know he has goals in him.

“Between him and Josh Coburn we have very different number nines. Josh did a lot of good things and then Emmanuel came on and had a big impact on the game.

“I’m really pleased, overall there were a lot of good things in the game. We had to make changes for different reasons before the game and we improved as the game went on.

“We managed the game really well second half, the boys came off the bench and made an impact.

“We could sense the frustration in the stadium first half and that doesn’t really help the players, but they stuck to it, believed in what we were doing.

“Cardiff were always going to make it difficult and they were on a good run, we knew it would be a tough game. The boys were calm enough and I felt the improvement during the game.”

Cardiff boss Erol Bulut was angered by Isaiah Jones’ 56th-minute opener because he claimed the winger was standing in an offside position when Danish full-back Lukas Engel crossed to him.

That arrived at a time when both teams struggled to create openings and the game could have gone either way.

Once Latte Lath had slotted in the second there was no way back for Cardiff, whose four-match winning run in the league came to an end.

Bulut, whose side slipped out of the top six with this defeat, said: “For both teams in the first half it was a tactical game.

“The second half we showed tiredness from the travelling from the last games, and also today we had to change a few positions because of injuries. This is not an excuse.

“But I can say tiredness was a little bit (apparent) second half. The first goal changed the game, and if you watch the first goal it was a clear offside.

“After the first goal we had to push more to score. We couldn’t manage to score. In the first half we had that Karlan Grant chance, if that goes in it would have been much different.

“We have to keep our feet on the ground regardless. This loss is not the end of the world. We will have a good rest and 100 per cent we have to be on the field again.”

Boro were booed off the pitch at half-time and full-time having been unable to break down a Plymouth side who scored twice in the first half.

Matthew Sorinola’s seventh-minute opener arrived when he turned in the rebound following Tom Glover’s failure to put Darko Gyabi’s curling effort out of harm’s way.

And Ryan Hardie’s 13th of the season, after controlling a Gyabi pass and then finishing coolly in the 31st minute, was enough to claim a second away win of the season.

But Middlesbrough, who have not won at the Riverside in the Sky Bet Championship since before Christmas, could not conjure up anything to reduce the arrears.

Despite a 69 per cent share of the possession, Middlesbrough did not have a shot on target and are now 11 points off the top six.

Carrick, whose side beat leaders Leicester seven days earlier, said: “That’s football. The challenge is being successful in the league and to be able to put performances together and results together, every game is different, and we are not getting that mix right at all.

“We know what we are capable of on any given day, but this was not one of those days. As a group, I will take the hit today in terms of decisions I make and how I put the team out. That was on me.

“The boys tried and gave their best today. The longer it went the harder it became, that’s on me today. I will take that one.

“Not many things went right to be truthful. We had an idea of how it would go, what we wanted to do, the way we play. It didn’t pan out that way, that’s on me.”

Plymouth were delighted with their performance on the back of a run of four games without a win. They could have scored more in the first half.

Ian Foster, who took over at the start of the year, said: “The boys were outstanding to a man, and it was probably the perfect away performance. We had a strategy, a game plan and the players implemented it brilliantly.

“I’m disappointed it was only two at half-time and the second half was terrific in terms of our tactical discipline and transition, the building up.

“We don’t get too disappointed when results don’t go our way and we won’t get too excited when they do. We will get results we don’t like and we will enjoy them when we do get the ones we like.

“In terms of a new coach coming in, and the games we have had, the players have done everyone proud.

“I don’t think it has been a turnaround after recent results. Our levels have been very good.”