Middlesbrough 1 Nottingham Forest 0
Carayol 42
The season may already be over as far as Boro’s faded play-off
hopes are concerned, but for a team who had won just two out seventeen league
games the importance of a first win since the beginning of March couldn’t be greater.
Last night’s 1-0 win over rejuvenated play-off contenders
Nottingham Forest, thanks to a single goal from Mustapha Carayol, was genuine
reminder of the talent Tony Mowbray has at his disposal as arrangements for
next year begin to take place.
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| Mustapha Carayol celebrates putting Boro ahead |
Following an increased amount of criticism Mowbray was as relieved
as anybody at the full time whistle, “We thought with a few better decisions we
could have scored another goal but we’re happy enough to take the points, Muzzy
(Carayol) scored a great goal and had another chance or two to finish the game
off, that’s why he’s in our club. We’ve tried to put a system together and
Muzzy is part of that,” said the Boro manager after the game.
Mowbray made five changes from the side beaten by Brighton
at the weekend, three were forced with Grant Leadbitter serving a suspension
for receiving his tenth yellow card of the season on Saturday, while Jonathan
Woodgate and Merouane Zemmama both dropped out through injury, Curtis Main and
Faris Haroun started on the bench.
A change in formation saw Boro alter to a 4-5-1, with Kieron
Dyer returning to partner Richard Smallwood and Josh McEachran in the centre of
midfield. Carayol and Sammy Ameobi operated the wings while the other change
saw Andre Bikey start in the heart of defence due to Woodgate’s absence.
Forest had occupied a play-off spot before last weekend,
but had been subsequently removed following a 3-0 defeat to league leaders Cardiff,
which left them outside the top six on goal difference. They were without
striker Darius Henderson was was controversially sent off on Saturday, as he
was replaced by Billy Sharp.
Despite Boro’s woeful run of form they had started their
last few games well and slowly faded as matches went on. Against Forest it was
the complete opposite with the visitors making a lively start. After six
minutes they threatened to make a break through when an in swinging corner was
met by the head of an unmarked Simon Cox, forcing keeper Jason Steele to finger tip
the ball over his own cross bar.
Boro had started on the back foot but registered their first
effort six minutes later when McDonald latched onto a misplaced pass and worked
his way into a shooting position from the edge of the opposition’s box, his curling
shot was heading for the net but was well intervened by Forest keeper Karl
Darlow, who made a flying save to his right.
The match entered a stage of few chances after that point,
but opportunities came in clusters after thirty-five minutes. Boro briefly
threatened when Carayol broke clear on the left to send a low cross into the penalty
area which contained few Boro shirts to finish the move. From there Forest
broke abruptly, as Cox received the ball on the right before curling a
cross into Boro’s box where Sharp cannoned his diving header wide.
The visitors wasted a further chance to go ahead, as
defender Elliott Ward nodded the ball over the cross bar from a free kick which
lingered around the Boro goal, but it was the hosts who opened the scoring
against the run of play.
Boro’s increasingly frustrated fans hadn’t seen a goal at
the Riverside since the 2nd of March, but that soon changed three
minutes before half time, when McEachran threaded a direct pass in behind the
Forest defence to release Carayol
through on goal. The Boro winger had time to compose himself before coolly
rolling the ball beyond the outstretched keeper. It was the perfect time to
score giving the whole stadium a lift before half time.
With another sub 14,000 attendance for the evening game, the
Riverside remained half empty but the fans who were present were kept
entertained by Forest keeper Darlow whose kicking was wild all game.
However his biggest mistake came ten minutes after the
restart when dithered to clear the ball and was dispossessed by McDonald. The
Boro striker should have doubled the lead but he also took too long with the
ball at his feet and scuffed his shot allowing Darlow to make a block. That led
to some fun and games for the crowd, now enjoying the occasion, who jeered the
keeper every time he touched the ball.
The second half had sprung into life, as Boro pushed for the
killer second goal. Around the hour mark Mowbray made changes which saw
McEachran and Ameobi replaced by Nicky Bailey and Haroun.
Mowbray should have been able to relax in the final few
minutes, but he was made to watch his side fail to convert a number of golden
chances late on. With seventeen minutes a low drilled cross from Haliday fell perfectly
on a plate for McDonald, but Boro’s top scorer miss-kicked the ball halting the
attack.
Haroun was given his chance minutes later, after determined play
from Smallwood saw him seize possession in midfield. He darted toward the penalty
area before teeing up the Belgium player on the edge of the box but Haroun
couldn’t hit the target.
That resulted in some tense final minutes not least when
Forest’s Radoslaw Majewski lashed a powerful effort from range which flew inches
over the bar. However Boro held on to record only their third win since New
Year saving them from a potential relegation battle. Unfortunately despite a
successful evening the play-offs appear to have floated too far away.
Player Ratings
Jason Steele 6.5-
Made some sharp saves but looked a bit shaky when dealing with crosses
Justin Hoyte 6- Not
troubled much defensively but not able to get forward as much as he is capable of
Andre Bikey 7- Solid
at the back, stayed firm when team needed him too at the end
Rhys Williams (C) 7-
Another assured display at centre back, tidying up any loose balls
Andy Haliday 6.5- Got
forward and joined in with attacks from left back
Sammy Ameobi 5- Quiet
in the first half, and failed to cause many problems after the break
Kieron Dyer 6- Tried
his best to keep up with the game which sometimes past him by
Josh McEachran 7-
Playmaker of the 3 centre midfielders, provided good assist for the goal
Richard Smallwood
7- Provided energy and a good work rate in the middle of the park
Mustapha Carayol
7.5- Player growing in confidence, got on the score sheet and had the
beating of players with his pace
Scott McDonald 5-
Good opportunity to get on the score sheet but wasted decent chances
Subs
Nicky Bailey 5.5-
Looked a little short of match fitness after coming on with half an hour to
play
Faris Haroun 5.5-
Provided fresh legs but wasted good chance towards the end
Adam Reach- Came on in 90th minute so can’t rate
performance
My Boro Man Of The Match: Mustapha Carayol
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