Nigeria captain, John Mikel Obi continued his impressive form for Middlesbrough who strengthened their grip on a play-off place in the Championship by piling more misery on Queens Park Rangers with a 2-0 victory.
Obi who anchored the midfield was on for the entire 90 minutes in the English Championship.
Goals from Jonny Howson and Ashley Fletcher got Boro on course for the three points.
It was a good performance from Middlesbrough who were desperate to improve their home record where they had won just two of their previous 11 matches.
QPR would have pulled back through Nigerian Eberechi Eze but Middlesbrough goalkeeper Darren Randolph did well to save his effort.
From there on in Middlesbrough took command.
After the restart McClaren put three up front for the second half. QPR were still unable to seriously test Randolph again, even though they did get into some decent positions down the flanks.
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Middlesbrough should have made it three with 15 minutes remaining when Assombalonga was denied by Lumley, this time after a cleverly worked move involving Lewis Wing and Stewart Downing in and around the area.