By Daily Sports on March 3, 2018

Patrick Bamford scored a hat-trick as Middlesbrough beat Leeds 3-0 in the English Championship on Friday.

Bamford put the hosts in front in the 31st minute and five minutes later he made it 2-0. His third goal put the result beyond doubt with just over 20 minutes left.

Victory moved Middlesbrough up into sixth place in English football's second-tier and the final play-off place.

While a spot among the top two who will gain automatic promotion to the lucrative Premier League at the end of the season looks out of reach, Boro could go up as the third promoted club if they come through a series of play-off matches involving the next four teams.

Defeat left fallen giants Leeds in 11th place, six points off the play-offs.

Groundstaff had worked tirelessly to clear the Riverside of snow following the icy weather that had gripped much of Europe this week and Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis thanked them by telling Sky Sports: "It's a very good team performance but it was also a massive community performance.

"The people who have worked on this ground are the heroes. The people who were here until 7 o'clock yesterday (Thursday) night were brilliant. A great thanks to the people who got this game on tonight."

Bamford added: "It's a big moment for me but it's about the result for the team."

Leeds coach Paul Heckingbottom accepted his side had been well-beaten.

"It was disappointing because we were second-best," he said. "I thought Boro were good – they were at it and really up for the game and we didn't cope with them, which is disappointing." © AFP

•Photo shows Patrick Bamford.

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 3, 2018

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