Middlesbrough kept their automatic promotion hopes alive with a resounding 5-1 victory over Watford at the Riverside Stadium. The win moved Michael Carrick's side to within a point of second-placed Ipswich Town, who were held to a goalless draw by West Bromwich Albion.
Doubles from Morgan Whittaker and Tommy Conway, plus a goal from David Strelec, secured Middlesbrough's joint-biggest win of the season. Watford had briefly threatened after James Abankwah scored early in the second half, but Boro dominated after the break.
Manager Kim Hellberg admitted the result keeps their promotion charge alive, but praised the team's resilience: "We've come from a position where we really felt we had nothing to lose. If Ipswich do not win their next game, it will come down to the last day."
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna acknowledged the uncertainty: "You don't know if today was a good point, I'll tell you next weekend."
Elsewhere, Hull's playoff hopes suffered a blow with a 2-1 defeat at Charlton, while Derby kept their slim top-six chances alive with a 3-2 win over QPR.
