Boro on the brink of a grisly demise

MIDDLESBROUGH are reaching the point of no return.

Gareth Southgate’s side were already on the critical list before this game and now, having extended their losing streak away from home to a post-war record of nine matches, they are in serious danger of flat-lining.

A deflated Southgate admitted afterwards that if his side, who are five points adrift of safety, do not win one of their next two games their 11-year top flight residency will be over. The only consolation is that both those matches, against Hull and Fulham, are at the Riverside stadium.