Kim Hellberg criticises a Middlesbrough player after a heartbreaking late 1-0 home loss to Portsmouth.

Middlesbrough suffered a heartbreaking late 1-0 defeat at home to Portsmouth on Saturday, with Kim Hellberg heavily criticising his players’ performance.

Despite dominating the game at the Riverside Stadium, Boro failed to make their chances count. They registered 20 shots compared to Portsmouth’s three, including 14 during a strong spell in the second half, but were unable to find the net.

Their wastefulness proved costly as Conor Chaplin struck in the 97th minute from a corner to seal victory for the visitors.

The result deals a major blow to Middlesbrough’s automatic promotion hopes. Now without a win in six matches, they have dropped to fourth in the Championship standings, sitting three points behind second-placed Ipswich Town, who also have two games in hand. A crucial clash between the two sides awaits next weekend.

Hellberg did not hold back in his post-match assessment, describing the display as one of the worst of the season.

He admitted he was both disappointed and frustrated, labelling the first-half showing as lifeless and lacking intensity.

The Swedish coach suggested his pre-match instructions had not been followed, pointing out that his team only showed any real urgency during a brief spell early in the second half.

While he acknowledged that Middlesbrough created enough opportunities to score, he criticised their lack of efficiency in front of goal.

Defensively, he felt his side were largely solid, noting that Portsmouth created very little over the course of the match. However, he expressed frustration at conceding from a set piece late on, calling it a recurring issue similar to previous matches.

Having previously backed his players despite poor results, Hellberg took a different stance this time. He described the overall performance as “boring” and “lazy,” highlighting a lack of energy, slow build-up play, and a passive approach, particularly in the first half.

Although he admitted his side may not have done enough to win, he stressed that losing the game was unacceptable given the lack of threat from the opposition.

He also acknowledged ongoing struggles at home and insisted the team must quickly address their inability to turn performances into results.