text: Patrick Bamford wants to lead the line for Chelsea in the Premier League – but before then he could be leading Middlesbrough to the top-flight after inspiring this vital victory over Wolves. Boro boss Aitor Karanka said before the game that his team had to win all four of their remaining matches to finish in the top two of a claustrophobic Championship. And thanks to Blues loanee Bamford – creator of one for Jelle Vossen and scorer of the other - the Teessiders remain on course for what would be a deserved return to the top division. Patrick Bamford (second right) scored Middlesbrough's second goal as they beat Wolves on Tuesday night . Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Konstantopoulos; Kalas, Woodgate (Omeruo 62), Gibson, Friend; Clayton, Forshaw; Adomah (Amorebieta 80), Tomlin, Bamford; Vossen (Nsue 74). Subs not used: Ripley, Whitehead, Ledesma, Kike. Booked: Clayton. Goals: Vossen 3, Bamford 11. Wolverhampton (4-4-1-1): Ikeme; Iorfa, Batth, Stearman, Hause (Golbourne 45); Van La Parra (Jacobs 77), McDonald, Price (Dicko 63), Sako; Edwards; Afobe. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Henry, Doyle, Ebanks-Landell. Booked: Stearman, Batth, Sako, Edwards. Goal: Sako 63. Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire). Attendance: 20,520. Man of the Match: Patrick Bamford. Boro were relegated in 2009 and even the play-offs have been beyond them in the years since. This maximum at least guaranteed post-season participation, but they will want to avoid that scenario. And with the likes of Bamford in this kind of form they have every chance of going up automatically. Friday’s trip to Norwich, however, will go a long way to determining their fate in that respect. Karanka said: ‘We want more than the play-offs and the players showed that here. They were amazing in the first half. But this game demanded a lot of us mentally. We have to be ready for Norwich now, it is another huge game.’ Bamford, with 17, has now scored more league goals in one season than any other Boro player has achieved in the last 25 years. The 21-year-old makes no secret of his desire to one day return to Chelsea and challenge for a starting jersey. Karanka, though, could well be using his friendship with Jose Mourinho to secure another loan stay should they join the West Londoners in the Premier League. ‘For me, he is the best young player in the league. He is scoring goals and is showing he is mature, not just on the pitch but also in the changing-room,’ added the former Real Madrid assistant. Boro were good value for this win – Wolves boss Kenny Jackett called them ‘ruthless’ - and they were ahead inside three minutes. Adam Clayton loaded a ball forward from deep and Bamford gave chase. His presence was enough to unsettle dithering centre-back Richard Stearman and the forward stole in before squaring for the unmarked Vossen who rolled home for his eighth of the season. Bamford celebrates with Jelle Vossen after he teed up the Belgian for Boro's early opener . The goal owed everything to Bamford’s endeavour and he soon had one of his own on 11 minutes. Albert Adomah fed over-lapping right-back Tomas Kalas and he drove into the area before locating the feet of his Chelsea team-mate. Bamford took one touch to fashion a yard for the shot before swivelling and smashing beyond Carl Ikeme from eight yards. It was a classy finish and added to the dossier of evidence which suggests there is a first-team future at Stamford Bridge. Bamford neatly finishes Boro's second to put the home side in cruise control early in the first half . Bamford is mobbed by his team-mates including former England international Jonathan Woodgate (left) Boro continued to pour forward and Adomah came within a stroke of paint of netting a late goal-of-the-season contender. Weaving between two visiting shirts 25 yards from goal, the Ghanaian unleashed a rising drive which cracked the underside of Ikeme’s crossbar. As if Wolves’ task wasn’t stiff enough, they should have been reduced to 10 men when Stearman hauled down Bamford as he skipped clear on goal. That the offence occurred some 40 yards out perhaps spared him red. Boro now have three matches to play as they chase automatic promotion to the Premier League . Middlesbrough . April 17: Norwich (A), April 25: Fulham (A), May 2: Brighton (H). Wolves . April 18: Ipswich (H), April 25: Wigan (A), May 2: Millwall (H). The front-running Kalas wasn’t letting up with his offensive intent and another forward burst presented a chance for Vossen, the Belgian prodding over from 12 yards moments after the restart for the second half. Wolves had offered little at the other end of the park but a swift break brought them to within one on 53 minutes. Dave Edwards galloped through the middle and slipped a pass to Sako who smashed between Konstantopoulos and his near post. And they should have been level when Rajiv van La Parra steamed onto Scott Golbourne’s deep centre and rattled the crossbar with a first-time volley. Boro, though, held on. One down, three to go. Wolves winger Bakary Sako salutes the travelling support after his goal gave Kenny Jackett's side hope .
target: Middlesbrough secure Championship play-off place with win over Wolves .
  Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford scores one and sets one up .
  Boro one point off automatic promotion with three matches to play .