Middlesbrough Win 4-1 at Hull to Trail Leaders by 7 Points

Middlesbrough secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Hull City in a rain-soaked Championship match at the MKM Stadium on Friday evening, capitalizing on the hosts' defensive vulnerabilities to move within seven points of league leaders Coventry City.

The game, originally scheduled for an 8 p.m. kickoff, was delayed by 15 minutes due to heavy wind, rain and poor travel conditions in East Yorkshire. Middlesbrough arrived at the stadium shortly after 7 p.m., and officials confirmed the fixture would proceed after assessing the pitch. The adverse weather contributed to a frantic start, with both teams pushing forward early, but it was the visitors who struck first after nine minutes. A swift counter-attack caught Hull's backline off guard, allowing David Strelec to fire into the top corner following a blocked shot from Morgan Whittaker.

The first half turned into a rout for Middlesbrough, who added three more goals to expose Hull's league-worst defense. Alex Gilbert slotted home from the edge of the box after a turnover by Hull's Jacob Egan, Whittaker curled in a third three minutes later, and Riley McGree poked in the fourth amid further defensive lapses. Hull manager Uwe Rosler...