Carrick's side hit Oxford for six
Oxford United 2 - 6 Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough smashed six goals in an away league match for the first time in 64 years, thrashing struggling Oxford United in a dominant display.
Emmanuel Latte Lath stole the show with a hat-trick, supported by two goals from the outstanding Finn Azaz and a stunning strike from substitute Tommy Conway. The emphatic victory propelled Boro into the Championship play-off spots, securing their third consecutive win.
Greg Leigh and Dane Scarlett provided some consolation for Oxford, but the home side’s dismal form continues, with just one win in their last 11 games. The defeat sees them slip to 18th, perilously close to the relegation zone, while Middlesbrough surge into fifth place.
The match began tentatively, with both sides cautious in the opening 10 minutes. Boro soon found their rhythm, though, as Azaz teed up Latte Lath for a quick counter-attack, only for United goalkeeper Jamie Cumming to produce a superb save at his near post.
Despite Boro's early pressure, it was Oxford who struck first against the run of play. Tyler Goodrham’s deep corner was met by Elliott Moore, whose knockdown allowed Jamaican international Greg Leigh to fire home from close range.
EFL: 2024/2025 news and stories
The goal jolted Boro into action. Just 12 minutes later, Liverpool loanee Ben Doak burst down the wing and was brought down in the box by Oxford captain Moore. Latte Lath calmly converted the resulting penalty, sending Cumming the wrong way for his fifth Championship goal of the season.
Oxford came close to retaking the lead when Mark Harris was played through on goal, but his heavy touch allowed stand-in keeper Sol Brynn to smother the danger. Moments later, Boro made Oxford pay. Latte Lath’s blocked cross fell back to him, and he squared it to Azaz, who coolly slotted into the bottom corner.
A fantastic day for Boro. More reaction here - eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com/p/efl-202420...
— European Super Football (@superfootball.bsky.social) 25 November 2024 at 18:50
[image or embed]
The duo combined again before half-time, this time with Azaz threading a pass to Latte Lath, who beat the onrushing Cumming to put Middlesbrough 3-1 up at the break.
Latte Lath completed his hat-trick early in the second half with a dipping left-footed strike – his fifth goal in three matches. Oxford briefly rallied when substitute Dane Scarlett fired a right-footed shot into the corner to make it 4-2.
However, Boro soon regained control. Azaz dazzled with a weaving run through multiple defenders, striking the post, before Tommy Conway came off the bench to score a spectacular long-range effort under pressure.
More Championship news and stories can be found by clicking here.
Azaz capped off his superb performance with Boro’s sixth goal, curling a precise 20-yard shot into the bottom corner with seven minutes remaining.
This victory marked a historic run for Boro, who have now scored 15 goals in their last three matches – their most prolific stretch since November 1947.
