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Middlesbrough fought back against Stoke City to earn a third straight home win and move six points clear of the Potters and the Championship relegation zone.
After a comparatively dull first half, Friday’s match came to life in a vibrant second period, triggered by Sam Clucas’ opening goal on the rebound for the visitors.
Boro struck back quickly to level through Ashley Fletcher’s headed finish from Jonny Howson’s ball over the top.
The turnaround was complete 14 minutes later when Lewis Wing lashed in powerfully from 25 yards to inflict Stoke’s fourth defeat in six games.
Stoke had been bidding to move out of the drop zone with a win but the result left them two points from safety and knowing they will spend Christmas in the bottom three.
The defeat was the Potters’ fifth from their past six away games and they were grateful to goalkeeper Jack Butland’s saves for keeping them in the contest.
The England international stopper brilliantly kept out Daniel Ayala’s second-half header, having also done well to save from Fletcher in the first half.
Boro, who were the division’s lowest scorers before kick-off with just 19 goals from their first 22 league games this term, grew in confidence after the break.
Wing’s powerfully-driven low finish from range sparked joyous celebrations as the early-season gloom around The Riverside continued to clear and Jonathan Woodgate’s side moved up to 18th.
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