A 93rd-minute goal from Alex Gilbert snatched victory for Middlesbrough against Hull City, who looked to have battled hard for a point against the play-off hopefuls.

City had to withstand big pressure at times and needed their goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, and the woodwork to help them to a valuable point, before Gilbert stepped off the bench to slide in the winner.

The Tigers drop back into the bottom three with defeat, and now face Leeds United at the MKM Stadium on Saturday in their second game of 2025.

Here's how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players in the first game of 2025 at the MKM Stadium....

Ivor Pandur: Made a smart save low to deny Latte Lath and then a better one to push over McGree's fizzing drive. Good save second half to deny Azaz after Hackney hit the post. Didn't deserve to be on the losing side. 8/10

Lewie Coyle: Back in the side on the left of the defence, and did what he had to do playing out of position. You suspect he was there to keep Ben Doak quiet, but he didn't start. Needed to get tighter to Burgzorg for the goal. 6/10

Sean McLoughlin: Had a major let-off early on when he lost the ball inside his six-yard box when taking a goal-kick. Got away with it. Much better after that, albeit riding his luck at times. 7/10

Alfie Jones: Solid early on, keeping up his fine form from the weekend. Important clearance just before the break. Another who didn't deserve to be on the losing side. 7.5/10

Cody Drameh: One lapse of concentration with Slater allowed Riley McGree a shot at goal, couldn't get forward much before he was replaced at the break. 5/10

Steven Alzate: Such a classy operator. Fired wide in the first half after a lovely drop of the shoulder on Latte Lath and his performance was a real positive, again. 7.5/10

Regan Slater: A couple of sloppy moments, one from playing out and one when he and Drameh allowed McGree to waltz through and shoot. 6/10

Gustavo Puerta: Started well, recycling possession neatly for City to keep Boro under pressure. Looked like he ran out of gas at the half wore on and was replaced at the break. 5/10

Mason Burstow: Plenty of effort in the first half but couldn't really get into a scrappy contest and came off in the second period. 6/10

Abdus Omur: Decent free-kick early on which had no takers. Pressed in spells, well, but couldn't get into the game and it was another frustrating affair. 5/10

Joao Pedro: Battled hard in the first half for absolutely no reward and showed nice composure to bring the ball away from trouble at the Tigers' end. Replaced in the second when he looked to run out of gas. 6/10

Subs:

Xavier Simons (for Drameh 46): Had City's first shot of the second half on the hour, albeit falling to the ground as he struck over the bar. 5/10

Ryan Giles (for Puerta 46): Really important header at the back post shortly after coming on. A couple of nervy moments but a solid showing for the most part. 6/10

Abu Kamara (for Omur 65): Terrific lung-bursting run to get his side up the pitch before running out of gas and playing his cross straight to the goalkeeper, but then let himself down with his tracking back for the winner. 5/10

Chris Bedia (for Pedro 68): A couple of decent battling moments in the second half got City up the pitch and gave them something to consider, at least. 5/10

Harry Vaughan (for Burstow 77): A first appearance of the season for the youngster, and showed some real energy. Booked for a drag back on Doak, but he had to do it. Taking one for the team, they call it. 6/10

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