McGree opens account as Boro blitzes Hull City
Australia's Riley McGree was on target for Middlesbrough as it blew Hull City away in a first-half goalfest at MKM Stadium, winning 4-1 to remain in second place on the EFL Championship table.``
The Socceroos star scored the fourth goal of a wild first half in wet and windy conditions in the north of England, the game having been held up for 15 minutes as a result of the inclement weather.
McGree also had a hand in Boro's first goal of the evening, crossing from the left wing as Kim Hellberg's side counter-attacked with pace.
The ball eventually landed at the feet of David Strelec, who fired home inside the first 10 minutes.
Alex Gilbert bagged the second just after the half-hour with a crisply hit drive from outside the box, and Morgan Whittaker was again on the scoresheet with a calm, curling finish to make it 3-0 after 35 minutes.
McGree's goal, his first of the season, came a minute before the break and was arguably the ugliest of all as the ball stuck in his feet on the edge of the six-yard box.
But he managed to untangle things and poke home regardless, with Ivor Pandur's attempted save only deflecting the ball into the roof of the net.
The second half was a less frantic affair, with Hull much more comfortable and Boro nnot needing to push forward so much.
It was just after the hour when Hull won a penalty, Joe Gelhardt winning it after he was taken out by Boro keeper Sol Brynn in a one-on-one. Gelhardt scored the resulting spot-kick, shotting under Brynn to pull one back for the hosts.
But it was far too little too late, and was one of only two shots on target for the night for the Tigers, who have now lost three of their past five matches.
That has left them in ninth with 28 points in a congested mid-table, while for Boro, a second straight victory keeps it clear of third-placed Millwall, even if the Lions win their match against Bristol City on Sunday (AEDT).
Swedish Boro boss Hellberg, who became the first Boro boss since Bryan Robson in 1994 to win his first two games, was delighted but is still looking for more improvement from his team.
“I enjoyed the beautiful goals, the attitude, the calm on the ball, being brave, it was a perfect performance from the players,” Hellberg said.
“Hull have been very good. It was a little bit of a surprise our players could be so active early.
“I have very good players, a big squad. Alex Gilbert was brilliant in midfield. It makes me very happy. They have so much quality.
“The players want to learn, they are trying to solve things, they are top quality, it's been easy for me thanks to them.
“I'm trying to use what's been good and build on some things. We'll get better.”
