Match Report
In the standings it was Middlesbrough 356th on 6 points, Newcastle United 868th on 3 — separated by 3. Middlesbrough's recent output lagged their position: 428th on form over five rounds while 356th in the table. Scoring rates set the scale: Middlesbrough 3 scored and 0.5 conceded per game, Newcastle United 0.75 and 2.5, with the league averaging 1.93.
11 meetings are on record — 2 won by Middlesbrough, 7 by Newcastle United, 2 drawn, at 2.91 goals per meeting. Three-plus goals is the norm here, arriving in 64% of the meetings, and both sides scored in 55%.
Riverside Stadium staged the fixture, a ground that holds 34,988. On the scoreboard, Middlesbrough led 3-1 at the break; 2 second-half goals set the final 5-1.
Goal scorers
Middlesbrough: Britt Assombalonga (9'), Britt Assombalonga (23'), Marcus Tavernier (34'), Grant Hall (50'), Stephen Walker (83') · Newcastle United: Allan Saint-Maximin (39')