Saturday 24 October 2015 19:56, UK
Middlesbrough secured their first win in four Sky Bet Championship matches as they came from behind to beat Wolves 3-1 in an enthralling encounter at Molineux.
Middlesbrough had been trailing to Dave Edwards' 22nd-minute header before launching an amazing fight-back in the final quarter of the game.
Having failed to score in their previous three games, Boro suddenly found three in just 20 minutes; Diego Fabbrini handed them a 71st-minute lifeline before skipper Grant Leadbitter scored from the spot 10 minutes later and Stewart Downing sealed the comeback in stoppage time.
The flurry of goals got the visitors back on track after a poor run and sentenced Wolves to a third successive defeat.
Middlesbrough enjoyed a good spell of early domination and would have made that pay but for the fingertips of Wolves goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The on-loan Arsenal keeper did well to tip a 25-yard goalbound drive from Thomas Kalas over the bar in the 12th minute.
But just moments after almost giving Middlesbrough the lead, Kalas came close to handing Wolves the opening goal.
Wolves winger Nathan Byrne harried Kalas on the goalline and took the ball off him only to then see his shot fly into the side netting. It was a major let off for Middlesbrough but they could not survive a second time as Wolves broke the deadlock with a classy goal.
Kevin McDonald's pass picked out left-back Scott Golbourne and when his centre flew across the face of the Middlesbrough goal, Edwards was on hand to stoop low eight yards out and steer his header beyond goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos.
Wolves continued to carry the greater threat into the second period and would quickly have put the result beyond doubt but for some frantic last-ditch Middlesbrough defending.
Twice in the space of four minutes, Benik Afobe was denied, first by a challenge from George Friend and then on the hour by a perfectly timed block by Daniel Ayala.
Wolves should have increased their lead in the 66th minute but for Konstantopoulos. He somehow managed to beat away James Henry's close-range drive and that proved to be a turning point as it galvanised the visitors.
They were level five minutes later.
Wolves paid the price for giving Fabbrini too much time and space 20 yards from goal and he accepted the invitation to shoot - beating Martinez with a low drive at his near post. That changed the entire complexion of the game and Middlesbrough were a different proposition after finding the way to goal.
Albert Adomah was twice denied by Martinez before referee Darren Drysdale, who had replaced James Linington at half-time, pointed to the spot after Byrne had brought down Friend. Leadbitter made no mistake with his low drive before Downing sealed the win with a stunning 20-yard free-kick.
Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka:
"For me the main thing was the spirit that the players have shown on the pitch. In the second half I liked their attitude since the first second. At half-time I told them that we were not playing well. In the first half we needed to play calmer and I told them that at half-time because the attitude and intensity was really good. If we always play with this spirit we will only lose a few games. I am really pleased because we have rediscovered our intensity and spirit. I am really proud of all of them."
Wolves boss Kenny Jackett:
"In the end Middlesbrough had too much for us. We showed a lot of endeavour but key injuries weakened us at just the wrong time when we needed our full energy. We created many chances but Middlesbrough's defending was heroic even at the end when they have headed two off the line. In both boxes they had too much for us despite our endeavour and spirit which is very good. We gave a very good side a run for their money but ultimately we are disappointed because the bottom line is results and the goals against column is hurting us."
