Middlesbrough’s 2-0 win at Stoke will have lifted the mood on Teesside following the arrival of experienced boss Neil Warnock at the Riverside. But how did some of Boro’s rivals fare over the weekend? We take a closer look at this weekend’s winners and losers from the second tier. Scroll down and flick through our picture gallery to see them:
1. W: Neil Warnock
What a start for Middlesbrough's new boss. Warnock became the first Boro manager to win his opening game since Bryan Robson after Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Stoke City. The 71-year-old Yorkshirman is also unbeaten in his first game in charge at his last eight clubs. Photo: Gareth Copley
2. L: Rudy Gestede
Warnock didn't waste any time after arriving at Boro and taking his first training session on Tuesday. After striker Rudy Gestede elected not to sign a short-term contract extension to complete the season, Warnock, in his words, cleared the striker off. "I said you might as well go home," said the Boro boss when asked about Gestede following his side's win at Stoke. Photo: Getty Images
3. W: Charlton
After months of uncertainty, takeover concerns and relegation fears, it's been a great few weeks for the Addicks. Lee Bowyer's side would have been relegated if the season had been cut short but are now three points clear of the drop zone after a 1-0 win over QPR. "What they were trying to do before with the points-per-game thing was ridiculous," said Bowyer after the game. "I think we are proving that as it stands today, but there is still a long way to go." Photo: Alex Pantling
4. L: Nick Powell
The Stoke midfielder allowed his frustrations to boil over against Boro, picking up two needless yellow cards in the closing stages for a couple of wreckless challenges. Powell will now miss Tuesday's trip to Wigan, while Potters boss Michael O'Neill admitted: “Nick's sending off is unnecessary, it doesn’t help us at all in any shape or form. And some of our decision-making when we went behind in the game was extremely poor." Photo: Gareth Copley