What Middlesbrough fans were chanting about Matt Targett at Birmingham City | OneFootball

Middlesbrough fans were in fine voice towards Matt Targett, who netted a brace in their recent 3-1 win over Birmingham City.

Middlesbrough kept their promotion destiny in their own hands, as they ran out 3-1 winners against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Monday evening in front of the Sky Sports cameras.There was unlikely scorer on the scoresheet for Boro, as left-back Matt Targett netted not only once, but twice, as the visitors raced into a two-goal lead on the night.

The brace was Targett's third and fourth goals of the 2025/26 season, and the full-back will be hoping that he can continue to be a useful asset at both ends of the pitch.

Targett's Middlesbrough chant revealed

The travelling Middlesbrough supporters were still praising Targett as he was being interviewed by the club's media team, as they serenaded the Newcastle United loanee with the chant, 'Targett again, Targett again, Targett again, ole, ole', which is something that the defender will be keen to hear once again if he can add to his tally.

Targett has made 32 league appearances for Middlesbrough this season, and has played a crucial role in their strong showings this term under both Kim Hellberg and former Boro boss, Rob Edwards.

The defender is contracted with Newcastle United until the summer of 2026, and given his strength in depth in defence, it seems unlikely that he'll have much of a future with Eddie Howe's side.

Targett originally signed for the Magpies back in 2022 after a successful loan spell at St James' Park from parent club, Aston Villa. Given the significant investment that Newcastle have made into their current playing squad, it's not too surprising to see Targett fall down the pecking order, but their loss has been Middlesbrough's gain.

Hellberg highlights 'outstanding' part of Boro's performance

In a post-match interview via BBC Sport, Middlesbrough boss, Kim Hellberg was impressed with his team's performance on the night, and highlighted their pressing as 'outstanding', which proved crucial, as they nullified Birmingham City's attacking threat on home soil.

"For most of the game, we were very, very good, especially in the first half. It was well deserved.

"Our pressing today was outstanding. How hard we worked, how many balls we won high, how we frustrated them. The high pressing and energy today was the key and it's good to see we can win like that, absolutely brilliant."

Heading into the game on Monday night, Birmingham had only been beaten once in the league in the last couple of years, and so it's a real statement of intent shown by Boro, as they target promotion back into the Premier League.

Middlesbrough are second in the Championship table, and are four points clear of third-placed Millwall with 11 matches remaining in this year's league campaign.

Hellberg will be hoping that his side can continue to head in the right direction, as they take on QPR away from home on Sunday afternoon, in a game where they'll fancy their chances of picking up another important three points.