Hellberg rewarded for sticking to his football principles

KIM Hellberg praised his Middlesbrough players for showing strength in convictions during a tough period as they ended their four-match winless run with an emphatic 4-0 win over Southampton.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

After a tricky first half in which they struggled to create while also for the first time coming under late pressure from a Saints side with no shortage of individual quality, Boro stepped up massively in an impressive second half.

Goals from Morgan Whittaker (2), Sammy Silvera and Alan Browne ensured Boro ended a four-game winless run and four-match goal drought as they impressively moved back to second in the Championship table.

Hellberg said: “I'm delighted. I think it's the first time the other team created a little bit more in the first half than we have done. So today we had some qualities in blocking shots that, in the first half, made the game 0-0.

“And then I think the second half was just an unbelievable performance from everyone. How we played and to go out and do that after the results we have had, I think is very strong.