Middlesbrough produced a stirring second-half comeback to draw 2-2 with Cardiff City at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday. The result keeps Boro third in the Championship standings, just one point behind leaders Swansea after 11 games. They have taken 22 points from a record of six wins, four draws and one loss, with a goal difference of plus six from 22 scored and 16 conceded.
Jack Moylan gave the visitors the lead after 22 minutes, finishing a move created by Ollie Tanner. Cardiff doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time when Tanner turned scorer, converting a pass from Moylan. Middlesbrough manager Brian Barry-Murphy made a double change at the break, introducing Will Lankshear and Sebastian Berhalter, which changed the game.
Tommy Conway tapped home from a Callum Brittain cross to reduce the deficit after 58 minutes. Just three minutes later, Lankshear levelled the scores, heading in an Amario Cozier-Duberry delivery for his ninth goal of the season. The striker is now the club's top scorer with nine goals in 11 appearances.
Cardiff's task was made harder when defender Gabriel Osho was sent off for a serious foul with seven minutes remaining. Middlesbrough dominated the statistics, registering 36 shots to Cardiff's seven and enjoying 57% of possession, but could not find a winner. The draw extends Boro's unbeaten run to five matches, a sequence that includes wins over Stoke and Wolves. This recent form has seen them collect 13 points from a possible 15, with their last five results being two wins and three draws. Their unbeaten sequence includes the 3-2 victory at Stoke City on Tuesday 13 October and the 1-0 home win over Wolves on Saturday 10 October.
"BBM’s side though were great value for a point and got what they deserved, holding onto a 2-2 draw," said Barry-Murphy afterwards. The point leaves his team on 22 points from 11 games, with a goal difference of plus six, maintaining their strong position in the promotion race.
Middlesbrough now turn their attention to a Friday night trip to face Bolton Wanderers at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Bolton currently sit 15th in the table. The next fixture presents an opportunity for Boro to continue their momentum as they aim to close the one-point gap at the top. Their next match is away to Bolton on Friday 23 October.
