Middlesbrough picked up their first win under Chris Wilder, beating Huddersfield Town 2-1 at the John Smithâs Stadium.
Duncan Watmore scored twice within the space of seven first-half minutes to all-but win the game.
Huddersfield had taken 13 points from their last five fixtures on home turf, including beating West Brom this time last week. Luke Daniels' late own goal halved the deficit but didn't offer enough time for an equaliser.
Ultimately, today, Wilder mastered their downfall, aided by Watmoreâs double.
Despite Boroâs first-half control it was Harry Toffolo who wasted the gameâs first meaningful chance, snatching at a shot after Sorba Thomasâ corner.
The opening goal came less than a minute later following a swift Boro break.
Jonny Howson was offered too much time in midfield, sending Isaiah Jones into space behind Toffolo. The wing-back crossed for Watmore to finish beyond Lee Nicholls.
Huddersfield were struggling to gain any control in the midfield and were punished again on 23 minutes.
Matt Crooks chipped a clever pass behind Tom Lees and Matty Pearson, presenting Watmore with the opportunity to lift a classy finish lob Nicholls to double Boroâs lead.
Watmore tested Nicholls twice more and was causing Carlos Corberanâs defence all kinds of problems.
Wilderâs blueprint was all over Boroâs performance so far: centre-backs seeing plenty of possession, wing-backs high and wide, midfield busy and Watmore playing with purpose.
As impressive as Boroâs opening 45 minutes was, though, their task was to put in a complete performance, particularly after surrendering a winning position midweek.
Nicholls denied Boro a third shortly after the break, blocking Marcus Tavernierâs shot after the midfielder ghosted into space in the penalty area.
Andraz Sporar then spurned the opportunity of extending Boroâs lead following good work from Howson and Watmore, punching wide of Nichollsâ post.
Daniels in the Boro goal remained largely untested as Danel Sinaniâs shot deflected harmlessly wide.
It wasnât quite as clinical as the first-half but Wilderâs side continued to commit bodies forwards in possession and press in packs without the ball.
Corberan threw on Fraizer Campbell and Josh Koroma in a bid to rescue something. Yards away Wilder stood composed, hands in his pockets, as his goalscorer made way.
Sporar passed up another chance to test Nicholls; he mightâve even outscored Watmore had he had half the composure of his strike partner.
As it was, his wastefulness wouldnât be punished, despite Daniels turning Lewis O'Brien's deflected cross into his own goal deep in stoppage time.
Early days, of course, but Wilder's Boro looking capable of morphing into the efficient machine we saw him build in Sheffield.
FT: Huddersfield Town 1-2 Middlesbrough.