Targett double sinks Birmingham as Middlesbrough stay second | OneFootball

Middlesbrough beat Birmingham 3-1 on Monday at St Andrew's to stay second, while the hosts drop from 11th to 12th.

Matt Targett swept in from the centre of the box after Aidan Morris's through ball in the 13th minute. The left-back then finished again from close range after Hayden Hackney's pass (26.).

After the restart, Marvin Ducksch pulled one back with a low finish from Jay Stansfield's lay-off (48.). David Strelec restored the cushion with a glancing header from Luke Ayling's delivery (60.).

Before the interval, Sol Brynn tipped away Thomas Doyle's long-range strike and blocked Christoph Klarer's close-range header. The goalkeeper finished with six saves as Boro managed the game.

Birmingham saw plenty of the ball, recording 60.2% possession and seven shots on target from 11 attempts. Boro's back line made 29 clearances.

Next, Birmingham visit Charlton Athletic. Boro travel to Queens Park Rangers.