Middlesbrough will be in the top six at Christmas after recording a 4-1 away victory over Birmingham City.

A clash with former boss Aitor Karanka never looked like offering much in the way of goalscoring opportunities, but this was certainly an exception.

It was the Blues who made the stronger start when a cross from the left flank found Scott Hogan who headed his effort wide of the mark.

Karanka’s side looked the more likely to make something happen in the early stages and made the breakthrough after 15 minutes.

Jeremie Bela, who caused huge problems all afternoon, left Anfernee Dijksteel in his dust before finding Maxime Colin who lost Sam Morsy in the box and fired home.

It seemed that Birmingham’s opener sparked Middlesbrough into life as they suddenly started pressing forward and playing the game on their own terms.

Britt Assombalonga gave the Blues a warning as a right-footed effort was blocked, before the striker rolled his marker and fired past Matt Etheridge.

It took just four minutes for the Teessiders to turn the game on his head when some excellent work from Marvin Johnson on the left flank found George Saville who prodded home at the near post.

Middlesbrough strengthened their position after the break when a looped ball from Lewis Wing was spilled into the net to make it 3-1.

While Birmingham huffed and puffed they rarely looked like getting themselves into the match.

The result was wrapped up in the 82nd minute when Wing let fly from range and some poor goalkeeper saw the ball into the back of the net.

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