Middlesbrough 2-1 Derby County: Kim Hellberg earns comeback Championship win in first game
New Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg tasted victory in his first game, turning around a one-goal deficit to take all three points against Derby County at the Riverside in the EFL Championship last Saturday.
Patrick Agyemang’s early goal was overturned by second-half goals from Matt Targett and Morgan Whittaker to earn Boro three crucial points in their promotion push.
The Kim Hellberg era starts with a win! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cyAYDD4dI3
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) November 29, 2025
A new era at Boro begun with the appointment of former IFK Varnamo and Hammarby IF boss earlier in the week, but a Derby goal in the first five minutes had looked to spoil the new manager party.
An inventive pass over the defence from Lars-Jorgen Salvesen set Agyeman through on goal, and he took full advantage – calmly slotting the ball past a stranded Sol Brynn.
Derby should have doubled their lead with a corner, when the ball found Sanderson on the six-yard line a metre from the goal, but his header was timed terribly and he failed to make any proper contact with the ball.
However, the hosts had seemed to turned the tide of the game and came close to levelling with a brilliant strike from Callum Brittain, but his strike curled and rattled the crossbar.
Hellberg’s side continued to push, and a great cross from Brittain found its way to Delano Burgzorg in the box, with the ball falling to him at knee height, but he was unable to keep it down, putting it over the bar from close range.
In the second half, a couple of great free-kicks almost gave Middlesbrough a deserved leveller, as Targett’s strike curled narrowly wide while Whittaker’s effort was well saved by Widell Zetterstrom.
But, Derby’s resistance was broken as Boro finally got the leveller with 15 minutes to go.
The moment we got back on level terms yesterday 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7TBxI0uBQ1
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) November 30, 2025
The ball was played in by Hayden Hackney straight to the flying Targett, who was able to beat the keeper with the sheer power from the header.
And, Hellberg’s men were not done there, as after waves of pressure, they found a late winner.
Hackney passed to Whittaker on the edge of the box, who played the ball into the box, unsure whether he meant to cross the ball or shoot, the ball found the back of the net, somehow avoiding the Derby defenders and Zetterstrom in goal, earning Middlesbrough a valuable three points in the promotion race.
Following the result, Boro jump back into second, due to other results, while Derby dropped to 10th, three points from the play-off positions.
