Gaston Ramirez turned on the style against Nahki Wels and hos Huddersfield Town teammates to power Middlesbrough to a third successive win in the race for promotion to the Premier League.
Wells who was booked was substituted in the 71st minute.
Ramirez earned the penalty for skipper Grant Leadbitter to convert in the 32nd minute and added the second himself moments later to keep Boro in an automatic promotion place.
The 25-year-old, on loan from Southampton, then curled in a brilliant free-kick with 13 minutes remaining to complete the 3-0 win to lift Middlesbrough to within a point of Championship leaders Burnley.
