Nobody would have enjoyed Middlesbrough’s marvellous performance against Birmingham more than Hayden Hackney.

It’s been apparent in recent games that the team’s general lack of creativity has put Hackney under increased pressure to make things happen.

This was having an effect on his performances because he had clearly not been at his best over the last two or three games.

When you have the best player in the team expected to fill gaps where the rest of the team is falling down, it creates a negative scenario.

Yet the team effort against the Blues lifted a huge weight of responsibility off his shoulders and allowed him to concentrate on playing his natural game.

Hackney’s cheeky goal was well worthy of a goal of the month award. This takes him on to three for the season, and toppi

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