Middlesbrough hammered Watford 5‑1 at the Riverside, reviving their bid for automatic promotion in the Sky Bet Championship. The win, their joint‑biggest of the campaign, lifted them to within a point of the top two as they sit second behind Ipswich. With only one fixture remaining, the Teessiders keep the automatic spot alive.

The scoring burst started in the sixth minute when Morgan Whittaker curled a 30‑yard free‑kick into the top corner. He added a second after half‑time, while David Strelec tapped in before the break. Watford’s James Abankwah reduced the deficit early in the second period, but Tommy Conway completed the rout with two late strikes, sealing the 5‑1 triumph.

Ipswich’s 1‑1 draw at West Brom left them a point ahead but with a game in hand, meaning Middlesbrough must win their finale to overtake. A victory would propel them into the automatic promotion places, forcing a showdown for the coveted top‑flight slot. The Boro now sit on 78 points, poised for a decisive climax.

Manager Kim Hellberg praised the attacking depth after missing his usual top scorer for five games. Whittaker’s 14‑goal haul now tops the Boro charts, compensating for the absentee. Defensive lapses allowed Watford’s early second‑half chance, but overall the performance reasserted Middlesbrough’s credentials as promotion contenders.