Loan ace bags two in rout…
Akpom 22, Archer 52, 58, Forss 90+5
PRES TON NE 0
STAR MAN
Preston knew all about Cameron Archer, but they couldn't do anything to stop him from scoring twice in Middlesbrough's romp at the Riverside.
In fact, even manager Ryan Lowe admitted, the Lilywhites could do little to stop Boro from charging closer to the automatic promotion spots.
Middlesbrough are now three points behind Sheffield United, who have a game in hand, and turned in a performance that should worry the Blades.
Not only did Michael Carrick's men end Preston's seven-match unbeaten run, the Teessiders displayed all the qualities to suggest they are a team capable of delivering promotion to the Premier League this season.
And, after Akpom had struck his 24th goal of the season in the 22nd minute, Archer added two goals in seven second half minutes against his former club.
Once Preston defender Bambo Diaby had been sent off for bringing down Akpom two minutes before the end, Marcus Forss completed Middlesbrough's win in stoppage-time. And Archer, with two clinical low finishes, impressed against a team who wanted to re-sign him in January from Aston Villa having scored seven times during a loan spell at Deepdale last season.
Carrick said: “Cameron's performances of late have been good. He is motivated anyway, not sure if there was any extra motivation there. He feeds off scoring goals. It was nice for him to score because he was touch and go today, he rolled his ankle (in training) and had a fitness test. We took him off with a precaution. We will see how it goes.
TEESSIDERS LOOK SO GOOD NOW
Match Verdict
THESE are promising and exciting times on Teesside. Under Michael Carrick, Boro have got the Riverside rocking once more.
And while Chuba Akpom's 24th goal of the season and Cameron Archer's double will clearly grab the attention, there is no disputing that Carrick's impact on this group has been huge. Make no mistake about it, Boro have every chance of returning to the Premier League, despite looking below them rather than above them when he took over in October.
The men in red are playing with so much confidence and are now just three points behind Sheffield United. On this evidence, though, if it is the Blades who do go up then it won't be because Boro aren't good enough. It will be because they have had too much to do this season.
For Preston, this defeat halted a seven-game unbeaten run, but at least they will have two weeks to rest.
“The boys were good all round. It was a good performance from the start and we really got in our stride from kick-off. All aspects of the game were good, the energy and some of our football was very good.
“We will go away in the international break now, refocus for the run-in and take it game by game and see how it goes.”
When Carrick took over in October, he lost his first game against Preston when Middlesbrough were struggling at the wrong end of the table. This performance brushed Preston, who had an outside chance of a playoff spot, aside with ease, particularly after Akpom controlled Archer's pass in the first half before firing low and beyond Woodman. That came at the end of a quick passing move.
Then Archer took over. He turned Diaby and Jordan Storey before firing low for his first in the 52nd minute and then controlled Akpom's pass before drilling a fine low finish beyond Woodman from 22 yards.
Just when it seemed the scoring was over, Diaby was red carded for picking up his second caution two minutes from time for bringing down Akpom as he charged towards goal.
Boro sub Alex Mowatt hit the bar with the free-kick, but the fourth did arrive when Ryan Giles' low delivery towards the near post was turned in by Forss to cap the win.
It was not the ideal day for Preston's 1,700 fans, many of whom had dressed up in bowler hats and pin striped suits for the Lilywhites' annual Gentry Day; a day held in memory of those connected with the club who have lost their lives.
Preston boss Ryan Lowe said: “It was a tough afternoon, I'm gutted really. We knew it would be tough. I am disappointed, but can't be too down because they have been on a fantastic run.
“That shows we are not playoff contenders because of the levels we have seen. We will dust ourselves down, go into the derby in two weeks' time with Blackpool looking for a response.
“We do things on a daily basis that work. The players have been fantastic. They have come up short this time. There are no excuses. That is the level we have to get to.”
