Football League World
·2 October 2024
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·2 October 2024
Chuba Akpom has reacted to a message from Hayden Hackney, who sealed all three points for Middlesbrough in yesterday's trip to West Bromwich Albion
Chuba Akpom has issued a reaction to Hayden Hackney's Middlesbrough message, after he inspired the side to a crucial 1-0 victory away at West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday evening.
Michael Carrick's side have begun to hit form as of late following a typically-inconsistent start to the new season, although they have now won their last two league matches.
Boro ran out 2-0 winners at home to Stoke City over the weekend, with Ben Doak and Hackney each opening their accounts for the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
However, they claimed an even more impressive victory by beating Carlos Corberan's West Brom in a narrow 1-0 win away from home last night, which has now propelled them to sixth position after eight matches.
The Baggies started the night as league leaders and were without a home defeat prior to yesterday's defeat, meaning Boro will be rocked by their latest result. It certainly bodes well for Saturday's trip to Watford before the commencement of the international break, which they will be hoping to head into with positive spirits.
The Hawthorns is never an easy place to go and come away with three points, and Corberan notoriously makes his sides extremely tough to break down. Boro, however, were able to do just that.
Middlesbrough threatened in the first-half through Emmanuel Latte Lath and Finn Azaz, who were both denied with strong saves from Alex Palmer. Doak, Latte Lath and Luke Ayling all came close following the interval but were unable to find the magic touch, although it did set the tone for the affair as Carrick's side proved increasingly dominant.
They eventually found the back of the net after 73 minutes on the clock through Hackney, who scored his second goal in as many games by firing past Palmer from range.
Boro were able to see off the Baggies in the closing stages and headed back up north with all three points in what does feel like a statement-sending victory of sorts.
Current and former Middlesbrough players have came together to lap up yesterday's victory and Hackney's match-winning display, with Akpom among those to laud the talented midfielder.
The 22-year-old issued a three-word message to supporters via his official Instagram page, where he wrote: "Great Tuesday night 🥰 @theboroofficial".
In response to the post, Akpom commented: "😍". The duo spent one season together in Middlesbrough's first-team during Hackney's breakthrough 2022/23 campaign, where he played 38 times in the Championship.
Akpom, of course, was sensational that year and enjoyed a career-best 28-goal haul, which duly earned him a move to Eredivisie giants Ajax at the end of the season.
The forward has returned an impressive 19 goals from 47 appearances for Ajax to date and Boro supporters have naturally been keeping a watchful eye on his fortunes in the Dutch-top flight, so they will be pleased to see that he is still maintaining tabs on his former side too.
Another ex-Boro star left his thoughts in the form of Morgan Rogers, who simply commented: "So so good".
From Rogers, that is some praise to receive. The 22-year-old winger showed promise for Middlesbrough but has taken his game to another level after joining Aston Villa in January.