Riley McGree scored again for in-form promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough as they won 3-1 over QPR in the English Championship on Saturday.
McGree netted his sixth league goal of the season and second in three games, adding Boro’s third in the 90th minute.
The Socceroo found himself unmarked at the back post to receive Matt Crooks’ elusive square ball, taking a touch and firing home on his left foot from close range.
McGree earned an 8/10 rating from the Evening Gazette, who wrote: “Another fabulous performance as he came to life in the second half with a typically crafty performance.
“As well as winning the penalty, he scored the third and was so unlucky not to have an early second-half opener which typified his ability to get into the right areas at the right times right now.”
Boro are now third in the Championship on 57 points, behind second-placed Sheffield United on 61 and seven points clear of fourth-placed Luton Town.
Harry Souttar was in action at Old Trafford, playing a full game as Leicester City lost 3-0 at Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Souttar earned a 6/10 rating from the Leicester Mercury, who wrote: “He won headers, made blocks and slid in for excellent challenges in the first half, nearly getting himself a goal with a thumping effort just over the bar too.
“He was unfortunate to play Rashford onside for the first, and the second half was difficult for him, with City so open and United forwards attacking him with pace.”
Jackson Irvine scored St Pauli’s equalizer as they won 2-1 at Magdeburg in the German 2.Bundesliga on Saturday, making it four straight wins.
Irvine, who played a full game in the heart of midfield, rifled in a header from a corner for St Pauli’s leveller in the 74th minute. Connor Metcalfe put in a full shift on the right side of attack.
73' GOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!! Two corners in quick succession for the #BoysInBrown and the second is headed home by Jackson #Irvine!#fcsp | #fcmfcsp 1-1 pic.twitter.com/0GlQucW606
— FC St. Pauli English (@fcstpauli_EN) February 18, 2023
Mat Ryan put in a full shift as AZ Alkmaar were downed 2-1 by Feyenoord in a top-of-the-table clash in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Cristian Volpato was an unused substitute while Ajdin Hrustic was out with an ankle injury as AS Roma won 1-0 over Hellas Verona in Italy’s Serie A on Sunday.
Denis Genreau was an 84th minute substitute as Toulouse lost 3-2 at home to Olympique Marseille in France’s Ligue 1 on Sunday.
Returning to the Championship, young goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic received an 8/10 rating in Huddersfield’s 2-1 win over Birmingham City.
Yorkshire Live wrote: “Not much he could do on the opener. Saved well from Juninho Bacuna later on and claimed an assist on his home debut with his long kick putting Jaheim Headley through to score, having already played a part in the equaliser with his quick distribution after a Birmingham corner.”
Kenny Dougall put in a full shift in Blackpool’s 1-0 victory over Stoke City, while Bailey Wright was back after a concussion as a 77th minute sub in Rotherham United’s 2-0 home loss to Coventry.
Cameron Devlin received a 5/10 rating and Garang Kuol was rated 6/10 as Hearts lost 2-0 at Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
Devlin started and played the first half, with Edinburgh Evening News writing: “Not aggressive enough in his passing. Culpable in Sean Goss often getting too much time and space on the edge of the Hearts box.”
Kuol was brought on on the hour mark, along with Nathaniel Atkinson, with Edinburgh Evening News writing: “Needs to be braver out of possession and tougher in it.”
Aaron Mooy sat out Celtic’s 4-0 home win over Aberdeen on Saturday due to soreness.
Elsewhere, Mark Birighitti‘s blunder cost Dundee United as they lost 2-1 at home to St Johnstone, with concerns the Australian has suffered a dislocated shoulder too.
Birighitti was replaced after 85 minutes clutching his shoulder, after dallying on the ball and allowing Stevie May to tackle in the 82nd minute winner. Aziz Behich put in a full shift earning a 6/10 from the Dundee Courier, who rated Birighitti 4/10.
Thomas Deng was an 86th minute substitute for Albirex Niigata on the opening day of the new Japanese J1 League season as they drew 2-2 at Cerezo Osaka.
Mitch Duke debuted as he put in a full shift as Machida Zelvia drew 0-00 with Vegalta Sendai in the J2 League on Sunday.
Others
Full games
Jason Davidson, Ash Maynard-Brewer, Cam Burgess, Ryan Strain
Minutes
Fran Karacic – ST 83, Jimmy Jeggo – ST 83, Lewis Miller – SB 83, Awer Mabil – ST 46, Nikita Rukavytsya – SB 75
Unused subs
Dean Bouzanis, Callum Elder
