THE last time Middlesbrough were in the capital, it ended in a defeat and recriminations.

It proved Garry Monk's penultimate game in charge of the Teessiders as his out-of-sorts side slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Millwall, and a week later he was gone.

This routine win at QPR, compared to that miserable showing across London just over a month ago, was like chalk and cheese. Under new manager Tony Pulis, there even seems to be style to go with substance.

Pulis is not known for his flair football, preferring the attritional approach. But nobody has told Adama Traore.

The Spanish winger has often frustrated in his 18-month stay on Teeesside but he is revelling under the guidance of Pulis.

Whatever the Welshman has said to Traore, something seems to be working. Traore looks like a man possessed, with his rampaging runs and searing runs causing havoc for the hosts.

Traore struck the third goal in the 85th minute to seal a win which never looked in doubt once George Friend had added to Daniel Ayala's opener.

It was Traore's maiden Middlesbrough goal, and the reaction of his team-mates showed a lot. All of the players rushed over to mob the former Barcelona trainee as he celebrated right in front of the near 2,500-travelling fans, in a telling show of unity.

Traore appears a popular figure in the dressing room, and Pulis said: "We want everyone to score and George is a bonus and that’s Dani’s third for me now, which is brilliant – that’s what we need from set plays.

"Adama has got everything going for him and what he’s got to recognise is his strengths and keep playing to his strengths, and that’s all I want him to do.

"When we’ve got the ball, I want him to run forward, that’s all I’ve said – get it and just enjoy yourself."

And how Traore did enjoy himself, something that has not always been evident during his stay in the North-East.

His rampaging runs from deep were unstoppable. This time there was also an end product which has sometimes been missing.

Not that Middlesbrough needed Traore early on here. QPR, who have seen off the likes of Wolves, Sheffield United and Cardiff at Loftus Road, started the stronger with Jack Robinson driving a shot inches past Darren Randolph 's right-hand post.

But Middlesbrough, who have now won all 13 games this season in which they have taken the lead, once again didn't look back after Ayala's opener.

Ayala headed home from close range after 24 minutes, meeting Ben Gibson's flick on from Grant Leadbitter's corner. It was scrappy and seen many times at Pulis' former club West Brom. But sure is it effective.

George Friend was the next defender to net in the 34th minute, and while the home side could have done more to stop Ayala's opener, there was nothing they could have done to prevent Friend's super strike from distance.

QPR manager Ian Holloway sent on 6ft 7ins striker Matt Smith as part of a double substitution at the break. It was clear what the plan was - to aim for the giant striker at every opportunity.

And although Smith headed over from a corner, as well as seeing two penalty appeals rightly waved away by referee Oliver Langford, it was more of an even contest. 

It was also now no longer an armchair ride for Gibson and Ayala. QPR had previously won seven points from goals in the last ten minute of matches, and Pulis could have been forgiven for thinking the worst when substitute Rudy Gestede missed two chances to kill off the contest.

First, the striker beat Alex Smithies, but not Robinson on the line, before his bullet header from Traore's cross was brilliantly kept out by the home goalkeeper.

Randolph was finally forced into a save when he blocked Joel Lynch's goalbound effort.

Traore showed how it should be done, slotting home under the advancing Smithies with four minutes left. Cue the celebrations. 

Cue, also, the three points which moved Boro to just two points off the play-offs and handily placed with winnable league games looming ahead Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich and Reading.

"I think there's only one way Boro are going with my mate in charge," said QPR manager Holloway. "If you look at his record, he's been outstanding what he did for Stoke, what he did for Crystal Palace, what he's done for every club he's been at.

"So they're on the up and his players will learn what he wants, and if they don't do it then God help them. So onwards and upwards for them."