Tony Pulis was delighted this weekend as Middlesbrough made it three wins from three, with a resounding 3-1 victory at the Riverside against Barnsley.

Boro moved three points clear of seventh placed Bristol City with the win, one point behind fifth placed Derby County, albeit having played a game more.

Saturday's result was rarely in doubt, Daniel Ayala and Adama Traore putting them 2-0 up inside 20 minutes. Patrick Bamford added a third before Kieffer Moore's consolation for the struggling Tykes.

Boro are now unbeaten in five as they hunt a return to the top flight and Pulis was clearly delighted with his side's current form.

“First half, we did very well, passed it well, played through the pitch and put lots of crosses in," reports the Hartlepool Mail. "The one disappointment was that we never scored more goals. The third goal should have truthfully killed it, but we took our foot off the pedal and that’s one of the things we’ve been talking about. You can’t do that at any level."

Next up for Boro are Brentford, ahead of a Good Friday clash with leaders Wolves. With the play-off race set to go right down to the wire, Pulis' message perhaps resonates further than just the Barnsley game.

“You’ve got to make sure you keep your foot on the pedal. It’s been a tough week, three really tough games and we’ve got the points we want and need, so I can’t be too harsh on them.”

Pulis took over at the Riverside on Boxing Day, just over a month after he left Premier League side West Brom.

The Verdict

Boro weren't in bad shape when he took over, but he's certainly had an impact since his arrival.

Saturday's match was Pulis' ninth win in the dugout at the Riverside and it was surely one of the most comfortable.

You be a fool to bet against Boro having a place in the play-offs at the end of the season, especially with Pulis at the helm.