Middlesbrough missed the chance to return to the automatic promotion places in the Championship after being held in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Swansea City on Monday.

Having seen Millwall lose to Norwich City, Middlesbrough knew a win would see them return to the top two, but they were unable to leapfrog Ipswich Town in the standings. 

It leaves Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Millwall all level on 72 points, though the Tractor Boys were the big winners over Easter, given they have two games in hand over their rivals.

Alex Bangura had put Kim Hellberg's side in front in the 12th minute, rifling the ball in at Lawrence Vigouroux's near post having been slipped into the box by Tommy Conway. 

However, Swansea restored parity eight minutes later through Zan Vipotnik, who sent Sol Brynn the wrong way from the penalty spot after goalscorer Bangura made an unnecessary challenge on Liam Cullen inside the box. 

And referee Matt Donohue pointed to the spot again in first-half stoppage time when Brynn took down Eom Ji-Sung, with Vipotnik coming out on top once more from 12 yards. 

Middlesbrough upped the pressure after the break and only the fingertips of Vigouroux denied Aidan Morris from finding the bottom-right corner just after the hour, but there was to be more penalty drama at Swansea.com Stadium. 

Callum Brittain's driving run saw him fall under a soft challenge from Eom, but the spot-kick was awarded and Conway smashed the ball down the middle to level the match again.

Both sides had chances to win it late on, with Alex Gilbert forcing a low stop from Vigouroux before Brynn produced a wonderful sprawling save to thwart Liam Cullen's curling shot, as the game ended level in Wales. 

It ends level. #SWAvMID | @SkyBetChamp pic.twitter.com/2896ch9On2

— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) April 6, 2026

Data Debrief: Middlesbrough endure more Easter Monday blues

Middlesbrough understood the importance of this clash given the earlier results around them, but they were unable to get the better of a Swansea side who have been impressive at home, though it continued their poor run on this day of the year. 

They have now won just one of their last 11 league games played on Easter Monday (D4 L6), beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 in April 2024, while they have also now failed to win their last five Championship matches at such a crucial point of the campaign. 

And Hellberg will be left frustrated at what might have been for his team, given they ended with an expected goals (xG) total of 3.13 from their 29 shots, though only six of which were on target, compared to Swansea's 2.16 from their 12 attempts.