Alvaro Negredo double helps Middlesbrough down Swansea

Alvaro Negredo continued his red-hot form to inspire Middlesbrough to a vital 3-0 victory over fellow strugglers Swansea.

The Spaniard – who has been involved in five of his side’s last eight goals – grabbed a first-half double to give Boro a dream start and Maarten De Roon added a third after the break as the hosts moved further away from the relegation zone.

Boro’s opener on 18 minutes came slightly against the run of play. The visitors had dominated the opening stages but their fragile defence was exposed once again as they conceded possession cheaply, allowing Adam Clayton too much space to pick out Negredo who applied the finish in impressive fashion.

Things went from bad to worse for the Swans shortly after when Jordi Amat brought down Adam Forshaw in the area and Negredo stepped up to coolly slot home from the penalty spot and suddenly Bob Bradley's side had a mountain to climb.

Boro, the league’s lowest scorers, proved to be ruthless in front of goal and killed the game as a contest on 58 minutes when Gaston Ramirez, on his return from injury, picked out De Roon with an inch-perfect cross and the Dutchman finished well.

The win - only Boro’s third at the Riverside this season – allows Aitor Karanka’s side some breathing space from the chasing pack as they climb to 14th, six points clear of the Swans who are plunged into deeper trouble.

'Panic Saturday': Apparently, the Saturday before Christmas is called ‘Panic Saturday’ as shoppers rush around the shops to finish their shopping before the big day. The term also seems appropriate for supporters of Swansea City after today’s tragic result. In truth, the Welsh side didn’t play badly but, as so often is the case this season, they simply couldn’t defend – even against Boro, whose struggles in front of goal are well known.

Bob Bradley’s leaky back-line has now conceded an astonishing 15 goals in four matches and the American has to find a way to address such an embarrassing problem ahead of a crucial festive period.

Gaston Ramirez (Middlesbrough): Keeping the playmaker fit is vital to Boro’s future in the Premier League. Played a major part in his side’s opening goal and laid on the third with a terrific cross.

Middlesbrough: Valdes 7, Barragan 6, Chambers 7, Gibson 8, Fabio 7, Clayton 8, de Roon 7, Forshaw 7, Fischer N/A, Ramirez 8, Negredo 8. Subs: Downing 7, Friend 6, Traore N/A.

Swansea: Fabianski 5, Rangel 5, Amat 4, Mawson 5, Taylor 5, Britton 5, Fulton 5, Barrow 5, Sigurdsson 6, Routledge 5, Llorente 6. Subs: Fer 6, Gonzales 5, Montero 6.

18’ - GOAL! Boro 1-0 Swansea. Boro are ahead, slightly against the run of play! What a finish from Negredo. Ramirez does brilliantly to win the ball in midfield, releasing Clayton on the wing, he swings a cross into the penalty area, slightly behind the striker, but the Spaniard does brilliantly to fashion a shot at goal which is fired into the bottom corner.

28’ - PENALTY TO BORO! Amat takes down Forshaw in the penalty area and Neil Swarbrick has no choice other than to give the hosts a spot-kick!

29’ - GOAL! Boro 2-0 Swansea. Boro double their advantage! Negredo scores his fifth goal of the season, sending Fabianski the wrong way to give his side a comfortable lead.

58’ - GOAL! Boro 3-0 Swansea. De Roon gets in behind Swansea's defence to finish an inch-perfect cross from Ramirez to further extend Boro's lead.

82’ - CHANCE! Gibson makes a vital headed block to deny Fer whose half-volley was goal-bound. I don't think the defender knew anything about it!

Middlesbrough have scored three goals in a Premier League game for the first time since April 2009 against Hull.

Alvaro Negredo has been involved in five of Middlesbrough's last seven Premier League goals (four goals, one assist).