Barnsley boss Michael Duff hailed the dominance of his side against a “dangerous” opponent in their 3-1 win over Portsmouth at Oakwell.The Reds hit the front in the 17th minute through James Norwood’s close-range finish and they doubled their advantage three minutes later when Nicky Cadden Wonderfully curled in from just outside the area.Portsmouth pulled a goal back four minut...Full Story »

Rival bosses Michael Flynn and Mark Hughes reflected on hard luck stories as Walsall and Bradford battled out a 0-0 draw in League Two.Leading marksman Andy Cook headed against the bar for the Bantams in the 25th minute, while the Saddlers failed to convert the bulk of the play into clear chances.Wing-back Tom Knowles caused plenty of problems down the right and it was his inviting cross that cr...Full Story »

Barnsley boss Michael Duff hit out at referee Thomas Parsons over the “bizarre” decision to deny his promotion-chasing Tykes a penalty at the Memorial Stadium.The former Cheltenham boss was furious after striker Devante Cole appeared to be pulled back by Bristol Rovers centre-back Lewis Gibson with the goal at his mercy an hour into the goalless stalemate.Duff hit the proverbial roof...Full Story »

Michael Carrick hailed Middlesbrough history-maker Chuba Akpom after the striker ended a 33-year-wait for a 20-goal striker on Teesside.Akpom became the first Boro striker to score 20 league goals in a season since Bernie Slaven in 1989-90 as he set Carrick’s side on the road to a 5-0 dismantling of Reading at the Riverside Stadium with a first-half penalty.The Sky Bet Championship’s...Full Story »

Walsall boss Michael Flynn said he nearly joined in with the supporters’ half-time jeers after seeing his Saddlers side beaten by play-off hopefuls Barrow.Billy Waters’ ninth goal of the season earned Barrow a third 1-0 victory in four games and further damaged the Saddlers’ own fading top-seven hopes.Walsall almost pinched a point in stoppage time as Isaac Hutchinson’s v...Full Story »

Michael Kelly’s second-half free-kick fired Eastleigh into the National League play-off places as they beat York 1-0.Kelly got the goal seven minutes after the restart, curling a left-footed free-kick into the top right-hand corner of the net.York had been appealing for a penalty just five minutes into the match when Alfie Lloyd’s run was halted, but the referee waved them away.The w...Full Story »

Barnsley manager Michael Duff was delighted with his team’s performance in a 4-1 victory against a strong Derby.Devante Cole scored two much-needed goals in the first half and Adam Phillips was also on the scoresheet.David McGoldrick gave hopes of a Derby comeback after a fabulous finish, but substitute Luke Thomas secured the vital three points with a late stoppage-time strike to seal the...Full Story »

Walsall boss Michael Flynn is refusing to give up on the Saddlers’ play-off hopes despite their draw habit continuing with a 0-0 stalemate at home to Crewe.The deadlock was Walsall’s fifth straight draw and their sixth in seven games, leaving them seven points adrift of the top seven, albeit with games in hand.“I was pleased in a lot of aspects but it is not quite falling for u...Full Story »

Boss Michael Duff was delighted with Barnsley’s ruthless streak on the road as they thumped his old club Cheltenham 4-0.Duff enjoyed a triumphant return to a club he led to the League Two title in 2021 followed by their highest ever finish of 15th in League One last term before leaving to take over at Oakwell.They were 3-0 up at the break through James Norwood, Herbie Kane and Adam Phillip...Full Story »

Michael Carrick hailed a “complete team performance” as Middlesbrough ended promotion rivals Sheffield United’s long unbeaten run with a 3-1 win at Bramall Lane.The Blades had not been beaten in 10 Championship games and looked on course to move 13 points clear of third-placed Boro after Oli McBurnie gave United an early lead.But the visitors hit back to level through Chuba Akp...Full Story »

Barnsley boss Michael Duff was delighted with his “excellent” side after they won a “horrible game” at Port Vale.Luca Connell showcased his immense talent with a stunning strike just 25 seconds into the first league meeting at the ground between the two sides for seven years.Nathan Smith equalised for the hosts, but goals from Liam Kitching and substitute Adam Phillips se...Full Story »

Burnley had a last-gasp goal from Michael Obafemi to thank as their amazing recent form stuttered in a 1-1 draw against Watford.A first-half finish from Joao Pedro gave the Hornets the lead but Vincent Kompany’s men escaped with a point after Obafemi popped up deep into stoppage time.Watford arrived in Lancashire as one of only two sides to have defeated the Clarets this season, winning 1-...Full Story »

Michael Beale claims Malik Tillman was “completely unaware” of any wrong-doing in his controversial goal in Rangers’ incident-packed 3-2 Scottish Cup win over Partick Thistle at Ibrox.Jags captain Kevin Holt gave the Championship side a shock interval lead with a penalty after 35 minutes before Croatia striker Antonio Colak levelled soon after the break and Thistle goalkeeper J...Full Story »

Michael Duff praised Barnsley’s fans as his side defeated Cambridge 2-0 at Oakwell, despite being reduced to 10 men in the first half.Max Watters opened the scoring before being shown a red card before half-time.A second-half volley from Jordan Williams doubled Barnsley’s lead as they saw the game out, limiting Cambridge’s opportunities to get back in the game.And Duff felt the...Full Story »

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick felt his side produced some of their best football since he took charge during the first half of their 3-1 victory at Cardiff, before then showing their battling qualities to secure the points.The former Manchester United midfielder saw his in-form Boro team chalk up an 11th win in 15 matches since taking over at the Riverside in October.Goals from Marcus Fo...Full Story »

Michael Duff felt Barnsley deserved their last-gasp equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth.Bobby Thomas scored a late leveller to rescue the play-off chasing Tykes a point after Colby Bishop had given Pompey the lead.Manager Duff said: “We deserved at least a point today.“In the first half, we’ve hit the bar and Devante Cole has only the keeper to beat, so we should have be...Full Story »

Michael Carrick believes Chuba Akpom’s brilliance got Middlesbrough firing at the Riverside to keep their promotion push on track by beating struggling Blackpool 3-0.It was an impressive afternoon for the Sky Bet Championship’s leading scorer, with the former Arsenal striker putting Boro on course for another win under Carrick to keep hold of third spot and move to within 10 points o...Full Story »

Barnsley boss Michael Duff believed the 2-1 victory at Oxford was thoroughly deserved.Bobby Thomas and Nicky Cadden both scored their first goals for The Tykes before Elliott Moore pulled a goal back for the U’s, who have now lost three games on the trot.Duff said: “It was a really, really good solid away performance without being spectacular.“The most pleasing thing for me was...Full Story »

Michael Beale heaped praise on his Rangers side for the way they dismantled a Hearts side he felt were set up to have “a right go” at them.The Jambos were unbeaten in 10 ahead of Wednesday’s Tynecastle showdown and manager Robbie Neilson picked a team loaded with attacking players.Gers boss Beale was “really pleased” with the way his side stifled the life out of the...Full Story »

Michael Carrick has revealed Middlesbrough are on the brink of signing Dan Barlaser from Rotherham – and the head coach cannot wait to begin working with the midfielder.Barlaser was an interested observer as he watched Boro’s 2-0 win over Watford from a seat in the directors’ box at the Riverside.Middlesbrough have agreed a deal with Rotherham that will see Barlaser return to h...Full Story »