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Middlesbrough relegated to Championship after loss to Chelsea

By Thomas Wheaton

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Middlesbrough players look dejected after Chelsea score their third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on May 8, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Middlesbrough players look dejected after Chelsea score their third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on May 8, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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Following their loss to league leaders Chelsea, Middlesbrough have been relegated to the Championship.

After only one season in the Premier League, Middlesbrough are heading back down to the Championship after getting thrashed by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday. As was expected, Chelsea completely outclassed Boro. Just like their season as a whole, Boro put in a rather lifeless performance and almost accepted the result without really fighting it.

Sitting as high as 13th this season, Boro endured a fall back to reality in the second half of the season, dropping to 19th. Currently on 28 points, Boro are only four points better than last-place Sunderland and six under 18th-place Hull.

Throughout their lifeless 2016-17 campaign, Boro have only managed to win five matches. Their lackluster performances stood no chance against the top teams this season. Interestingly, they kept 11 clean sheets this season, but were unable to turn that defensive solidity into points. They’ve seriously struggled in attack, managing only 26 goals in 36 matches, the worst mark in the league.

Unfortunately, last week Boro drew against Manchester City in a controversial match in which they needed a win. Following that unlucky draw, Boro needed to win out and get a little help from Hull and Swansea to stay up. Chelsea dashed those hopes Monday at Stamford Bridge.

Middlesbrough will go back down to the Championship, along with Sunderland, and either Swansea, Hull or Crystal Palace. Boro sacked their manager, Aitor Karanka, in March in the hope the change could spur a dramatic turnaround. Unsurprisingly, that strategy didn’t work, and the Teesside club will likely look for a new manager this summer to guide them back to the top flight.

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They have a solid squad, and should be confident of bouncing back quickly if the right coach is brought in, but they’ll need to improve their attack if they’re going to maintain their Premier League status the next time around.

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