3 – 0
Did it deliver?
As the fixture it fell a little short of its billing, since the game was effectively settled by half-time and Charlton never registered a shot on target. It was a convincing home performance but offered little jeopardy or late tension.
Middlesbrough controlled this Championship fixture from the opening minutes, taking an early lead through Sebastian Berhalter after a spell of set-piece pressure, then extending it just before the break when Will Lankshear finished off Berhalter's pass. They had 58% of possession, 16 shots to Charlton's 7 and 8 corners to 4, and Charlton did not put a single effort on target, so Middlesbrough's keeper was never tested. Charlton made more tackles (19 to 16) and committed twice as many fouls (14 to 7), which points to a side chasing the game rather than shaping it. The second half was far quieter until Lankshear added his second after a flurry of substitutions to make it 3-0. The result is a statement home win and a confidence boost for Middlesbrough, while Charlton leave with plenty to fix in attack.
Middlesbrough
Charlton Athletic
Middlesbrough•MidfielderOffside.
Corner awarded.
Shot by Jeremy Sarmiento with his right foot is saved.
David Strelec replaces Will Lankshear.
Will LankshearWill Lankshear takes a left-footed shot and scores.
Goal! Will Lankshear scores, making it 3-0.
Nathaniel Chalobah comes on for Tyler Bindon.
Substitution: Millenic Alli comes on for Oliver Skipp.
Max Arfsten is on, and Amario Cozier-Duberry is off.
Jeremy Sarmiento replaces Tommy Conway.
Corner awarded.
Shot - Billy Koumetio Head Shot Missed
Charlie Kelman takes a shot with his head, but it misses the target.
Amario Cozier-Duberry takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Will Lankshear takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Corner awarded.
Aidan Morris takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Tyreece Campbell comes on for Joe Rankin-Costello.
Karlan Ahearne-Grant comes on for Miles Leaburn.
Callum Brittain takes a right-footed shot but misses.
On Sam Byram, off Neto Borges.
Myles Peart-Harris comes on for Riley McGree.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Ashley PhillipsYellow CardAshley Phillips receives a yellow card.
Tommy Conway takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Amario Cozier-Duberry takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Tommy Conway takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Charlie Kelman takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Joe Rankin-Costello takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Substitution: Dan McNamara comes on for Kayne Ramsey.
Offside.
First half ends with a score of 2-0.
Will LankshearWill Lankshear scores with a left-footed shot.
assist: Sebastian Berhalter
Goal! Will Lankshear scores to make it 2-0, assisted by Sebastian Berhalter.
Aidan Morris takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Charlie Kelman's right-footed shot is blocked.
Riley McGreeYellow CardYellow card shown to Riley McGree.
Corner awarded.
Harvey Knibbs takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Amario Cozier-Duberry takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Tommy Conway takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Will Lankshear attempts a header but misses the shot.
Corner awarded.
Offside.
Offside.
Sebastian BerhalterSebastian Berhalter takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: Amario Cozier-Duberry
Goal! Sebastian Berhalter scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Amario Cozier-Duberry.
Offside.
Tyler BindonYellow CardTyler Bindon receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
Will Lankshear's right-footed shot is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Kick-off! The referee is Will Finnie.
