By Steve Coombs

MIDDLESBROUGH 3
Akpom 32, 59, McNair 70

BLACKPOOL 0

STAR MAN: CHUBA AKPOM Middlesbrough

Michael Carrick hailed Chuba Akpom’s brilliance that kick-started Middlesbrough’s romp at the Riverside to keep their promotion push on track.
Former Arsenal striker Akpom took his tally to 17 goals – 16 in the league – with a goal in each half, before Paddy McNair added a third with a back-post finish with 20 minutes remaining.
But it was 27-year-old Akpom’s eye for a goal that got Middlesbrough on course for another three points.
Carrick said: “It was a terrific goal from Chub...