Championship roundup
Middlesbrough kept the pressure firmly on Championship leaders Coventry with a ruthless 4-0 victory over Preston, while Millwall underlined their playoff credentials by sweeping aside Charlton by the same scoreline.
Browne bites back as Boro make it four straight
Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough are gathering momentum at exactly the right time. A dominant win over Preston moved Boro to within three points of Coventry at the summit and extended their winning run to four league matches.
The tone was set early at the Riverside as Alan Browne, facing his former side, broke the deadlock to put Middlesbrough in control. With Preston struggling to settle, Boro doubled their advantage through Tommy Conway, who pounced after defensive uncertainty opened the door.
There was no let-up before the interval. Morgan Whittaker added a third as Preston’s back line again failed to deal with danger, allowing Middlesbrough to head into half-time with the contest effectively decided.
Any faint hopes of a revival were extinguished soon after the restart when Preston were reduced to 10 men. Jordan Storey was shown a red card, leaving the visitors with too much ground to make up and too few players to do it.
Boro continued to probe and Conway completed his brace to round off an emphatic afternoon, reinforcing the growing sense that Carrick’s side are building a serious push at the top end of the table.
Millwall keep pace with playoff-chasing rout
Elsewhere, Millwall made their own statement with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Charlton, a result that keeps them firmly in the conversation in a congested playoff race.
The Lions were sharp, direct and relentless, turning periods of pressure into goals and never allowing the Addicks an obvious route back into the game. While Charlton searched for stability, Millwall’s intensity and clinical finishing ensured the points were never in doubt.
A clean sheet completed the picture for Millwall, whose form continues to match their ambitions as the season’s defining stretch approaches.
What it means
Middlesbrough’s convincing victory narrows the gap on Coventry and signals a team hitting peak form, with Conway’s finishing and Browne’s influence proving decisive. Millwall, meanwhile, remain on track in the playoff hunt after a dominant win that showcased their ability to put teams away.
