Tommy Conway ends his goal drought as Middlesbrough make it four wins from four for Kim Hellberg.

Middlesbrough defeated QPR 3-1 at the Riverside.

Tommy Conway eventually broke his long goal drought to enable Kim Hellberg extend his perfect start as Middlesbrough manager to four games with a 3-1 win over QPR at the Riverside.

Boro dominated the first half, leading 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from David Strelec and Morgan Whittaker, in what has become known as ‘Hell-ball’ on Teesside.

They made it three just after halftime when Conway broke a 16-game goal drought with a penalty kick, and Nicolas Madsen added another from the spot to give the visiting R’s fans something to cheer about.

Hellberg made three changes to his side following the midweek triumph over Charlton Athletic. Luke Ayling, Alan Browne, and Strelec returned to the team, while Alex Bangura, Alex Gilbert, and Delano Burgzorg were benched.

Tommy Conway and his 16-game goalless streak heading into this game dominated much of the early quarter.

He was highly engaged in another outstanding Boro first half, but was unable to score the elusive goal. Whittaker played him in behind with hardly two minutes remaining on the clock.

Conway beat custodian Paul Nardi to the first back, flicking past him but losing balance in the process.

As he stayed on his feet to follow the loose ball, the initial challenge was enough to let right-back Amadou Mbengue recover.

Nonetheless, the angle of his last ditch tackle was uncomfortable, and the challenge appeared to be dominated by players rather than balls. Conway’s usual look yielded nothing.

Boro were controlling the game, and Conway believed he had broken the deadlock when he knocked home Callum Brittain’s cross at the back post. The offside flag was raised quickly, and replays revealed he was probably a fraction off.

While Conway’s luck would not change, Boro were still in top form under Hellberg. They were looking for their fourth consecutive win and were 2-0 up at halftime following two goals in six minutes.

Strelec broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark after Hayden Hackney’s superb defence-splitting pass found him in behind. His finish, after running off the final shoulder, was clinical.

Whittaker then moved forward to double Boro’s advantage, with goalie Sol Brynn providing a wonderful assist! It brought the Boro forward’s goal total to six in six outings.

Brynn did well to catch a cross to end a QPR counter before delivering a superb kick with his hands that landed precisely for Whittaker, leaving him one-on-one.

He drove to the box, cutting in with his left foot and curling into the far bottom corner.

Boro had another big lead heading into the break; it might have easily been more. They dominated QPR, seeking ferociously for the ball while not in control before transitioning with devastating force.

When they had the ball, they played liquid football, threatening to break down QPR with practically every attack.

Boro wasn’t done there either. Returning for the second half, they increased their lead to three just five minutes after the restart. Finally it was Conway’s turn.

Brittain cut into the box and offered Koki Saito the option of going outside before entering. It drew the foul, and David Webb was quick to point to the spot this time.

And there would only ever be one taker. As Conway shot the penalty into the net, the Riverside exploded in pleasure and relief. It was evident how much it meant for Boro’s number nine to finally score.

Understandably, the game became very low-key from there, with Boro mainly controlling proceedings without the need for as much urgency.

QPR did get one back, though, just moments after replacement Kaly Sene’s goal was ruled out for offside.

After winning Boro’s penalty, Brittain made a hasty attempt to clear, instead killing Paul Smyth. Nicolas Madsen converted the penalty kick, resulting in Brynn losing his clean sheet.

It was little more than a consolation, however, as Hellberg’s impressive start as Boro manager continued with another powerful performance.

With his fourth straight win, he becomes only the third Boro manager to have such a strong start – or second only to Bryan Robson if all competitions are included.

The cup defeat to Doncaster cut short Rob Edwards’ four league triumphs. Boro expanded their lead over third place to seven points after a rather successful day overall, including a defeat at Leicester for resurgent Ipswich.

Coventry’s home win over Bristol City keeps the distance to first at five.

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