![\"Tommy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_GettyImages-2257468612.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe verdict as Boro recover from dreadful first half to win 2-1 at Stoke City<\/p>\n
Tommy Conway of Middlesbrough celebrates after he scores(Image: 2026 Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Kim Hellberg\u2019s half-time changes had the desired effect as Middlesbrough came from behind to beat Stoke City and move back to second in the Championship.<\/p>\n
A dreadful error-ridden first-half saw Boro trailing at the break through Tomas Rigo\u2019s strike. But with the Boro boss tweaking his system and making two substitutions at the interval, Boro came from behind to win for just the second time thanks to goals from Alan Browne and Tommy Conway.<\/p>\n
Hellberg had named an unchanged side for the game, after the dramatic late winner at West Brom on Friday. That meant the hero that night Delano Burgzorg had to make do with a place on the bench, where he was joined by Sunday\u2019s under-21\u2019s hat-trick hero Cruz Ibeh.<\/p>\n
Stoke, meanwhile, were already ravaged by injury heading into the game, with no fit striker available. They were then rocked ahead of the game by an injury to goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, which meant 21-year-old Tommy Simkin was forced to make just his third appearance.<\/p>\n
But if it was Boro rolling into time full of confidence and Stoke a little down on their luck, it didn\u2019t show. Put under pressure by automatic promotion rivals Coventry City and Ipswich Town wins the night before, Boro just didn\u2019t get going.<\/p>\n
Right from the off at the bet365 Stadium they lacked energy and tempo, with Stoke\u2019s press forcing them into countless early giveaways in their own half. It only felt a matter of time then that they\u2019d be punished.<\/p>\n
That punishment came in the 15th minute. Matt Targett the guilty party of being too casual in possession. Tomas Rigo got the ball in the middle and was invited to shoot as no one closed him down. He duly obliged and his tame effort beat Brynn far too easily. It\u2019s not the first time an effort of this nature has gone straight under the Teessider\u2019s body.<\/p>\n
That meant Boro were faced with the challenge of aiming to come from behind to win for just the second time this season. It highlights their struggles in breaking down defences who have something to protect, never mind Stoke\u2019s – who are the best defence in the Championship.<\/p>\n
Boro were given some encouragement with ten minutes remaining of the half. Aidan Morris strike from the edge was tame, but spilled by the rookie keeper, who looked nervous to say the least.<\/p>\n
That prompted Targett to try one from range shortly after, with the same outcome again. Simkin spilled, and this time Morgan Whittaker followed it up on the rebound. To be fair to the 21-year-old, he sprung up excellently to block the follow-up. The offside flag had rendered it unneeded.<\/p>\n
The goalkeeper spills gave Boro encouragement, but getting into shooting areas was their big problem. In a half where they were simply overrun by the hosts, they just could not keep the ball and work it through the lines, in an error-ridden first half that was comfortably the worst under Hellberg, possibly of the season.<\/p>\n
With that in mind, it was little surprise to see Hellberg makes changes at the interval. There were two, as Leo Castledine and Burgzorg replaced Silvera and Gilbert.<\/p>\n
The changes had the desired effect. Within three minutes of the restart, Boro were level. Whittaker almost opened up a shooting chance with a great turn. The ball eventually came back out to Morris who once again forced a spill from Simkin. The rebound fell to Browne who produced a good finish from a tight angle.<\/p>\n
This was a second half performance so far removed from the first, with Hellberg\u2019s changes having a real influence. Their turnaround was completed just before the hour mark.<\/p>\n
Browne turned architect this time, producing a tantalising ball right across the six-yard box. Conway arrived beyond the last defender and though he couldn\u2019t turn the ball goalwards with his initial touch, it set it for him to fire Boro in front.<\/p>\n
The relief for the Boro striker was clear to see. Just his fourth of the season, and his first from open play since August – it followed his boss\u2019 impassioned defence of him ahead of the game.<\/p>\n
From there, Boro tried to take the sting out of the game. They were far better at keeping possession, while Stoke\u2019s need to press higher up the pitch to force something left a lot more space in behind.<\/p>\n
But Stoke were nearly level when Brynn had another nervy moment. Having made a couple of first half saves after his error, he completely misjudged the flight of a wide free-kick, which went straight over his flailing arm. Thankfully for him, it was over the bar.<\/p>\n
Moments later, Stoke\u2019s hopes of getting back into the game suffered a major hit as they were reduced to ten men. Already booked, Bosun Lawal was rash going in on Morris with his studs showing. He didn\u2019t make contact with any force, but it was enough for a second yellow.<\/p>\n
From there, Boro largely managed the final 15 minutes without too many complications until deep into stoppage time, when Brynn was forced to make a good save from a corner before a rebound was fired over.<\/p>\n
They got over the line to record a third straight league win, leapfrogging back above Ipswich Town into second.<\/p>\n
There was plenty for Hellberg to ponder after though. He certainly won\u2019t want to see a performance like the first half again. Thankfully, his changes made the desired impact on a vastly improved second half, with wins vital now in the race for promotion to the Premier League.<\/p>\n
Impressively, Boro came from behind to win for just the second time this season, which was no mean feat after falling behind to the best defence in the Championship.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Middlesbrough-v-Birmingham-City-Sky-Bet-Championship.jpg\")
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