LONDON (Interstat) — Middlesbrough opened its English Championship season with a 2-1 road victory over Charlton Athletic on Tuesday at The Valley.

Riley McGree put the visitors ahead in the 33rd minute, and Morgan Whittaker doubled the lead just before halftime in the third minute of stoppage time. Charlton’s George Edmundson pulled one back in the 81st minute, but the hosts could not find an equalizer.

Harvey Knibbs provided a key assist for Charlton. The match featured six yellow cards, with Knibbs booked in the 31st minute. The result defied a pregame projection from Interstat that forecast a 1-1 draw.