MICHAEL Carrick hailed Chuba Akpom after the striker wrote his name into Middlesbrough's history-books with a double against Reading.

And while obviously delighted with Akpom's brace against the Royals that took the striker to 21 goals for the season, Carrick also praised the striker for passing up the chance to score a hat-trick.

Akpom became the first Boro striker since Bernie Slaven in 1989/90 to score 20 league goals when he set the hosts on their way to a 5-0 hammering of Reading with a first half penalty.

The Championship's top scorer scored a second just after the break and could have had his second hat-trick of the season when Boro won a second penalty late on, with the score 4-0. But Akpom instead allowed Marcus Forss, who'd came off the bench and won the penalty, to take it.

It was an example, said Carrick, of the unity in the Boro squad.

Carrick said: "It's just being a team player, credit to him for that. Not many would have done that, but he understands it's about the squad, all the boys being in a good frame of mind.

"His first penalty was a good one and it would have been easy for him to grab it but he understands how grateful Marcus was to have a chance to score."

It's been an incredible season for Akpom, who looked destined to leave the club in the summer.

"It's a terrific achievement," said Carrick of Akpom hitting and then moving beyond the 20-goal mark.

"It's not easy to score that many goals. He's scored all different type of goals for us since I've been here.

"I thought his performance was fantastic. He gets credit for his goals but his performance all-round was terrific. And because we have threats in different areas, he ends up getting a bit more space. To score that many goals, hopefully he can carry on and set a new target for himself."

Aston Villa loanee Aaron Ramsey took his chance from the off, scoring a double and impressing throughout as Boro closed the gap to Sheffield United back to four points after the Blades lost at Blackburn.