Middlesbrough returned to winning ways on Wednesday evening with a comfortable home win over struggling Birmingham City, with a first half Britt Assombalonga double giving Garry Monk’s side the three points.

The win moves Boro into the top-six, with the club’s sights firmly set on chasing down an automatic promotion spot in the build-up to Christmas.

The Teessiders looked a class above their opponents, and an excellent first half display ensured the hosts barely had to break a sweat in the second period.

Monk has assembled a strong squad at The Riverside Stadium, and will expect to be in the top-two by the end of the season, with victories over bottom-dwellers such as Birmingham City likely to prove the difference at the end of the campaign.

Defender Fabio Da Silva stood out on the night, with the former Manchester United man bombarding up and down the flanks for the entire 90 minutes in a workmanlike display.

Fans took to Twitter to respond to a Tweet from the Brazilian celebrating the win, with praised lavished upon the enthusiastic full-back…