China Akpom breaks 33-year Middlesbrough history with brace against QPR

Nigeria-eligible forward Chuba Akpom becomes the first player to scored 20 league goals for Middlesbrough since Bernie Slaven in the 1989/90 season following his brace against QPR.

Slaven had netted 25 goals in all competitions that season to ensure that Boro avoided relegation to the third tier.

However, the former Arsenal player has got what it takes to be a record breaker by cementing his footprint in Middlesbrough’s history book after scoring twice against Queens Park Rangers.

The British-Nigerian continued with his red-hot scoring form in the Championship with goals in the 64th and 77th minutes.

The 27-year-old is currently two goals ahead of Viktor Gyökeres of Coventry City in the scoring race in the Skybet Championship and might yet threaten Fabrizio Ravanelli’s remarkable haul of 31 goals in the 1996-97 campaign.

The former PAOK forward’s outstanding performances have seen him scooped the PFA fan’s POTM for January and Skybet player of the month for December.

Despite pledging his loyalty to represent Nigeria, he is yet to convince Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro that he is deserving to be called up to the national team.