Middlesbrough are closing in on the Premier League International Cup quarter-finals after Callum Cooke's penalty sealed a 1-0 win over Sparta Prague.
Cooke sent goalkeeper Marek Stech the wrong way on 33 minutes after Matej Majka had brought down Tom McAloon.
Callum Johnson and Cooke both came close to stretching Boro's lead while Filip Havelka's free-kick deflected wide at the other end.
READ | A goal from Captain Cooke sends #Boro to the top of the group in the @premierleague International Cup - https://t.co/9Tb2gEaGgA pic.twitter.com/TL1v0HrlIt
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) November 15, 2016
The win gives Middlesbrough six points from two matches in Group B, following their win over Villarreal. It leaves them three points ahead of Manchester United, whom they visit for their final group match on Thursday 22 December.
Villarreal and Sparta, both yet to pick up points, meet on Tuesday 13 December, two days before the Czech side go to Man Utd.
