North East | Middlesbrough maintain winning start to the campaign

Middlesbrough 1 - 0 Sheffield United

Tommy Conway struck a second-half winner as Middlesbrough defeated Sheffield United to move top of the Championship, maintaining their perfect start to the season.

Author | Anthony Gates

Stadium | Riverside Stadium

View from the stands

The Scotland striker converted a precise pass from debutant Matt Targett to secure a fourth successive victory, marking Boro’s best league start for 31 years.

Sheffield United’s struggles continued under Ruben Selles, as they remain bottom of the table following a fourth consecutive league defeat. This is their worst start outside the top flight since 1995, with just one goal scored, the fewest of any team in the division.

The side beaten by Sunderland in the play-off final at Wembley three months ago squandered a late opportunity to claim their first point when substitute Sam McCallum fired wide in injury time.

READ MORE | Rob Edwards starts Middlesbrough reign with a win

Both clubs have taken new paths this summer under fresh management, and it is Boro and Rob Edwards who are reaping the early rewards.

Boro came close early on when Sam Silvera missed by inches, while new signing Japhet Tanganga, making his debut following a move from Millwall, demonstrated his value with a crucial block from Callum Brittain. At the other end, Tyrese Campbell had the best chance of the first half but was denied by a timely tackle from Hayden Hackney.

Ball back with the keeper

The introduction of Targett at half-time proved pivotal. Operating as a left wing-back, he delivered a perfect pass to Conway, who calmly slotted the ball past Michael Cooper.

Sheffield United turned to experienced striker Danny Ings for his debut, and although one effort went narrowly wide, their clearest opportunity fell to McCallum, who failed to convert inside the six-yard box as the team ended the match without a shot on target.

Their search for a first point will continue into the autumn, while Edwards has matched Bryan Robson’s achievement from 1994, a campaign that concluded with Boro winning the league and securing promotion to the Premier League.