Middlesbrough will have been desperate to secure three points when they faced off with QPR on Tuesday.
Middlesbrough lost 3-0 to Coventry City in their last Championship fixture, dealing a major blow to their play-off hopes.
The North East outfit had slipped down to 11th in the league table before kicking off at Loftus Road.
However, the meeting with Queens Park Rangers, on paper, represented a great chance for Boro to get back to winning ways.
The London outfit were winless in their last 11 home games and had picked up just one victory in the Championship this season.
While Hayden Hackney missed the meeting due to suspension, there was a welcome return to the side for Ben Doak, who was omitted from the matchday squad on Saturday.
Forget Ben Doak, under fire Middlesbrough ace was key to QPR win
Doak was excellent for Middlesbrough vs QPR, earning high praise from Sky Sports pundit Adrian Clarke during the tie.
The Scotsman assisted the opener for Boro, once again beating his man before setting up Riley McGree for a rare goal.
It has become a common theme that whenever Doak is in the starting line-up, he ends up being Middlesbrough’s best player in any given game.
But while the Liverpool loanee was in top form once more against QPR, goalkeeper Seny Dieng deserves credit for how he played.
Dieng came under fire when Middlesbrough faced Sheffield United last month and has been criticised by some fans recently for his displays.
However, the shot-stopper was in superb form against his former side, making a number of major saves, especially toward the end of the first 45, to help Boro maintain their lead and pick up a 4-1 win.
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Seny Dieng Middlesbrough role still uncertain after QPR
Dieng made five saves in total against QPR and earned a team-high 7.9 rating via Sofascore on the night.
However, it is fair to say that despite his showing against his ex-club, the 29-year-old’s future as Middlesbrough’s number one is still not certain.
Dieng has had a pretty mixed 2024/25 so far and has heavy competition from Sol Brynn between the sticks.
But as long as he continues to perform like he did against QPR, Dieng will keep his place in the starting eleven for the time being.