Overview
- David Strelec, Alex Gilbert, Morgan Whittaker and Riley McGree scored for Boro, with Joe Gelhardt replying from the spot for Hull.
- Boro led 4-0 by half-time after a ruthless 12-minute burst, and Hellberg hailed his side’s bravery and control.
- The win maintains a perfect start under Hellberg and leaves Middlesbrough five points clear of third-placed Millwall and seven behind leaders Coventry.
- Hellberg’s merit-based picks paid off as Gilbert thrived in a rare start and Alex Bangura impressed again after his recent recall.
- Hull’s season-long defensive problems worsened to 34 goals conceded as Sergej Jakirovic criticized repeated errors, with Gelhardt’s penalty described as soft by local reports.