Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick spoke highly of Nigerian forward Chuba Akpom after his brace in Boro’s 3-0 win over Blackpool at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
The 27-year-old scored twice before the hour mark, taking his league goals tally this season to 16, keeping him atop the scorers chart.
.@cakpom is a man in form 🔥#EFL | @Boro pic.twitter.com/rWnMEwx7GR
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) February 5, 2023
Akpom opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, finishing off a brilliant team move with a world-class curling effort past goalkeeper Chris Maxwell.
He doubled his side’s lead in the 59th minute with an emphatic strike from close range after latching on to a pass from Riley McGee. Patrick McNair put the tie to bed with Boro’s third goal on the 70th minute mark.
While speaking to the club media, Carrick waxed lyrical about the red-hot striker.
He said: “Obviously he’s playing well, playing with so much freedom and confidence and it’s great to see.”
“The first one was a great finish, very special individual goal. It was a great move, I was delighted to see that one go in because he deserves it.”
“His second was a cute, clever finish with the way he got himself the space, waited for the pass and tucked it in,” the former Manchester United captain added.
Furthermore, Carrick spoke on the importance of the win and what made them prevail.
“It was a very good win and we needed it to stay in touch with the top,” he said.
“They posed a different type of threat but we worked hard, stayed mentally ready, prepared for all outcomes and I’m so happy for the win.”
Akpom’s brace was his third goal in his last two games in the league after his first-half effort in a 2-0 win over Watford a week ago.
The victory also means Middlesbrough have now won back-to-back games while scoring five goals and conceding none in their last two games.
They are presently third on the Championship table with 48 points, 10 points behind Sheffield United, who occupy the final spot for automatic qualification to the Premier League.
Is there anyone better than @cakpom in the #SkyBetChampionship at the moment?#EFL | @Boro pic.twitter.com/IOH7Wec5sD
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) February 5, 2023
