Middlesbrough’s play-off hopes suffer further hit with draw at Swansea

Middlesbrough’s quest for a Championship play-off berth looks all but over after a 1-1 draw at Swansea.

Chris Wilder’s side are now winless in five matches after Riley McGree’s goal was quickly cancelled out by Swans striker Michael Obafemi in a breathless opening to the second half at the Swansea.com Stadium.

In the space of 11 manic minutes after a forgettable first half, both sides scored, both rattled the crossbar with thunderous shots and Boro squandered two gilt-edged chances.

McGree’s strike began the mayhem in the 46th minute. His 20-yard effort found its way into the net via a deflection and the bar after a loose pass from Swans captain Matt Grimes playing out from the back had gifted the Australian midfielder possession.

It was Boro’s first goal since a 4-0 win at Peterborough on April 2 and it should have been 2-0 almost immediately, but Marcus Tavernier shot tamely into the arms of Swansea goalkeeper Andy Fisher from 10 yards out while in acres of space.

The away side were punished instantly.

Swansea swept straight up the other end for in-form forward Obafemi to net his 11th goal of the season – and his 10th in 2022 – with a low right-footed drive from Joel Piroe’s pass.

With the pace and urgency of the match unrecognisable from earlier, Boro boss Wilder was left holding his head in his hands when, in quick succession, Marc Bola’s volley crashed off the woodwork and Anfernee Dijksteel failed to finish off an incredible solo run from inside his own half.

Moments later Swansea left wing-back Hannes Wolf shook the frame of the Boro goal with a left-foot shot from a lightning counter-attack.

The mayhem could not last, and did not, but there was more intent at either end until the final whistle, despite there