Middlesbrough completed back to back wins to continue their upturn in form on Saturday.
‘Boro made the long trip to Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon to take on QPR.
Michael Carrick‘s side were looking to make it back to back wins, after coming from behind to beat Norwich City 3-1 on Wednesday night.
However, it was the hosts who would enjoy the better of the first half. Neither side though, were able to find a breakthrough in the opening 45 minutes.
That though would change after the interval, as goals from Emmanuel Latte Lath and Marcus Forss secured a 2-0 win for Middlesbrough.
Victory at Loftus Road saw Carrick’s side climb back into the top half of the table, easing any lingering relegation fears.
One player who made a particularly important contribution for Middlesbrough in that win, was Luke Ayling.
Luke Ayling produces ‘lovely’ moment at QPR
With QPR going in search of an equaliser after the visitors had opened the scoring, ‘Boro were able to hit them on the break for the second.
That culminated with Marcus Forss heading in from an Ayling cross to secure that all important second goal.
The on-loan Leeds United man’s contribution to that goal, did not go unnoticed. Describing it on X, Northern Echo journalist Craig Johns said:
“Boro hit QPR in the break. McGree holds it up in the end and that allows Howson to get up with the play. He plays a nice ball wide right to Ayling and he hangs a lovely cross up at the back post where Forss finishes so well with his header from such an acute angle.”
Middlesbrough will look to continue that form on Tuesday night, when they travel to St Andrew’s to face Birmingham City.
Luke Ayling making an impact for Middlesbrough
Having joined ‘Boro on loan from Leeds United in the January transfer window, Ayling has had a mixed time of things for Carrick’s side.
The right-back has sometimes divided opinion among Middlesbrough fans, having not always convinced with his performances.
However, he is now starting to make his mark for his new club. That is now two assists in as many games for Ayling with ‘Boro.
Just as was the case with the win over Norwich City on Wednesday night, that has come with an excellent cross that has sealed a vital win for Middlesbrough.
As a result, he is now starting to show his importance to Carrick’s side with these contributions.
Indeed, according to SofaScore, Ayling also completed five defensive actions, was involved in nine duels, and recored a 77% pass success rate across the course of this game.
With that in mind, this was a pretty eventful all-round performance for the right-back in his latest Middlesbrough outing.
Considering he is out of contract at his parent club come the end of the season, it will be interesting to see what the future might hold for Ayling if he continues to make this sort of impact.