The verdict as Middlesbrough won 4-0 at QPR
Middlesbrough celebrate their first goal which will be credited to David Strelec(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Middlesbrough strengthened their promotion chances as they moved back to four points clear in the automatic promotion places with a convincing 4-0 away victory at QPR – with the added bonus for Boro being the huge improvement in goal difference.
A fifth consecutive league win over the West London side, goals from David Strelec, Alan Browne, Hayden Hackney and a late Tommy Conway penalty ensured that they built on Monday’s victory over Birmingham City, while also taking advantage of Ipswich Town’s slip-up 24 hours earlier.
Kim Hellberg made two changes from the side that beat Birmingham City last Monday, boldly opting to rest two of his most-trusted players. Tommy Conway had started every game since Hellberg took over, while Malanda had started every game since his arrival in January. With the duo rested, Alan Browne and Morgan Whittaker were back in the side, in a return to a back four.
That meant David Strelec led the Boro line after his fine goal at St Andrew’s. And that decision was kind of rewarded in the 20th minute when the Slovakian scored his second goal in as many games.
It’s fair to say, he probably didn’t know too much about it though. Building a positive start at Loftus Road, Hayden Hackney and Riley McGree combined down the left, putting the Aussie star in a crossing position.
His low ball fell kindly to Morgan Whittaker who almost fluffed the chance. He was grateful when his first effort that was headed wide was blocked and bounced back to him. From close range, he fired what looked like his 12th of the campaign, only for the ball to bounce in off the body of Strelec. They all count!
Boro looked in complete command of the game. QPR’s injury-hit squad offered little, as Sol Brynn was restricted to a couple of routine saves, while Boro continued to probe at the other end without creating too much more of note before the break.
But there was one sour note of a dominant 45 minutes. With what looked like a hamstring issue, Dael Fry was forced off after 30 minutes meaning that the intended rest for Malanda didn’t go to plan. Hopefully for Fry, who’s had his fair share of injury problems in recent years, that isn’t too serious, with only ten games remaining on his existing Boro deal.
On the pitch, there was still work to be done for Boro. Despite their first-half dominance, their 73% share of possession in the first half was only good for the one-goal lead.
After needing to defend a couple of early set-pieces, Boro quickly settled back into a commanding position in the game, as they pressed forward and sought a second goal for some breathing space.
The openings weren’t quite coming though and there was a reminder of how precarious their lead was ten minutes after the restart when Richard Kone held off Luke Ayling in the box, flicking back into Isaac Hayden’s path. His effort was goalbound, but Ayling reacted well, throwing his body in the way and making a big block.
The more the second half wore on, QPR were growing ever more adventurous, particularly down Boro’s left hand side. To the credit of Hellberg’s side, they were defending resolutely when they needed – with Ayling’s huge block epitomising that.
Boro finally got the second goal they wanted on 68 minutes. A corner wasn’t cleared and fell to Ayling, who was desperately unlucky as his looped half-volley came off the bar. It fell kindly to Browne, however, and he headed home from close range.
The game was dead and buried just four minutes later. McGree was denied after breaking the last line. But Tommy Conway, brought on just moments before the second goal, kept the attack alive.
He played one inside and McGree cleverly dummied the ball, allowing it to run through to Hackney, Boro’s star man turned and bent one from the angle in at off the far post. A stunning finish from a sublime player.
Another sold-out Boro away end enjoyed themselves and aired their desire for a fourth. Conway obliged with two minutes remaining. Played in behind, he was fouled by the defender attempting to recover as he went to pull the trigger. He picked himself up to fire Boro’s fourth.
Make no mistake though, the three points were the most important thing, but a four-goal swing in goal difference was not to be sniffed at. Now just four goals worse off than Ipswich, they’ll hope their promotion hopes don’t come down to that, but they can never be sure.
Ten huge games remain for Boro. They’ll hope they’re all as comfortable as this one ultimately proved for them.
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