Middlesbrough slump to season’s heaviest defeat as Rob Edwards endures miserable Watford return
Middlesbrough suffered their worst loss of the season as Rob Edwards’ return to former club Watford ended in a humbling 3-0 defeat.
The Hornets had failed to keep a clean sheet all season before Boro’s visit, but Edwards’ side looked blunt in attack as their three-game unbeaten run in the Championship came to an abrupt halt.
Edwards made three changes, reverting to a back three with Aidan Morris, Alan Browne and Hayden Hackney forming a midfield trio, and Delano Burgzorg supporting Tommy Conway up front. Yet Watford’s organised display exposed Boro’s lack of creativity, punishing them on the counterattack.
The result saw Boro slip to third in the table after Millwall’s win at Oxford.
First-half frustration
For the first time this season, Middlesbrough trailed by more than one goal, with Watford scoring from both of their first-half shots on target.
Despite enjoying more possession, attempts, and touches in the box, Boro struggled to turn their dominance into meaningful chances — a recurring theme throughout the afternoon.
Hackney went closest midway through the half, firing wide from inside the area, but by then Boro were already behind.
Watford’s opener came against the run of play, as Boro were caught upfield after successive corners. Substitute Kwadwo Baah broke forward and crossed for Imran Louza to finish.
Moments later, Jeremy Ngakia was given far too much room on the right to deliver for Luca Kjerrumgaard, whose neat flick beat Luke Ayling and found the far corner for 2-0.
Matt Targett’s free-kick, brilliantly saved by Egil Selvik, was the visitors’ best effort of the half as their play lacked sharpness and urgency.