Boro Relegate Tykes To End On High

 Middlesbrough     3        Barnsley     1 

                       Tomlin 54 , 90+3    Graham  90                                   M'Voto  52

 

Boro’s preparations for next season are already underway and Aitor Karanka’s task to rebuild a team ready for the opening game in September is now in full operation.

Tomlin and Graham celebrate Boro's second goal 

In a year full of ups and downs Boro bid farewell to the Riverside crowd in their final home fixture with an entertaining 3-1 victory over Barnsley, which confirmed their relegation to league one.

Karanka described the win as “the best way to end at home” and even though next week’s trip to Yeovil has little significance for either side’s league position the Spaniard will be aware that momentum going into the next campaign is key.

The same can also be said about Karanka’s business in the summer transfer market and whether he can seek assistance from his contacts at Madrid and with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.

Today it was the manager’s signings in January that earned Boro a late win in the penultimate game of the season as two goals from Lee Tomlin and one from Danny Graham secured all points.   

Karanka made four changes from the side which lost at Reading on Tuesday night, Grant Leadbitter and George Friend were both suffering from injury niggles while Nathaniel Chalobah and Emmanuel Ledesma dropped to the bench. 

They were replaced by Jonathan Woodgate, who returned as captain, Jacob Butterfield, Lee Tomlin and Adam Reach as Boro returned to their favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.

Before kick-off Barnsley sat four points from safety with six left to play for, knowing they realistically needed a win to avoid the drop. They made three changes from their defeat to Derby last time out, in came Ryan McLaughlin, Kelvin Etuhu and Marcus Pederson. Tomasz Cywka dropped to the bench while Lewin Nyatanga and Paddy McCourt missed out altogether.

Even in the early stages it was clear to see that Barnsley were a side lacking in confidence. It was a complete contrast to Boro’s previous match at the Riverside where Millwall, also threatened by the drop, had actually played like their lives depended on it.

Boro’s first attempt came from the lively Reach who skipped past Barnsley defender Jean Yves M’Voto but fired his shot wide. At the other end Pederson’s shot from the edge of the area took a deflection but still fell kindly into the hands of Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos.

That chance proved to be one of the visitors few, while Boro should have capitalised on the opportunities they created. On seventeen minutes Tomlin released Graham who eventually brought the ball under control but blazed the ball over the cross bar.

For the remainder of the first half Barnsley had keeper Luke Steele to thank that the scores stay level. Tomlin twice tried his luck from range but on both occasions Steele came to the visitors rescue, moments later Albert Adomah wriggled his way into a shooting position but the keeper was again on hand to hold his low shot across goal.

The hosts had two penalty appeals turned down five minutes before half time when Reach’s low cross picked out Adomah in the opposition box, his shot was blocked and fell at the feet of Butterfield whose goal bound shot was also stopped, both claimed their shots had hit their opponents hands.

Karanka was forced into his first change when Woodgate limped off and was replaced by Daniel Ayala. But that didn’t disrupt Boro’s rhythm and if it wasn’t for Steele the hosts could have been out of sight.

In the dying minutes of the first half Butterfield smashed a vicious shot which the Barnsley keeper matched by flinging himself to the left. He was also on hand to deny Ayala’s close range effort from Tomlin’s cross, as the visitors hung on until half time.

Seven minutes after the restart the goal came but it wasn’t the way anyone had expected. From Martin Cranie’s in swinging corner M’Voto was left unmarked and able to side foot the ball back across goal and past Konstantopoulos, suddenly the visitors had a hope for their survival.

However that hope evaporated within two minutes. M’Voto, Barnsley’s hero at one end became their downfall at the other when his misplaced pass was seized upon by Tomlin who lashed the ball low across goal into Steele’s bottom right corner.

Boro now had a spring in their step, Graham cracked a powerful free kick which Steele saved at full stretch, as the hosts threatened to take the lead. With an hour gone Karanka withdrew Butterfield who made way for Chalobah. Barnsley manager Danny Wilson introduced Nick Proschwitz and Jim O’Brien who replaced Pederson and Liam Lawrence.

Those change appeared to have a negative effect on the game which entered a scrappy phase. A draw would have sent Barnsley down and they had to go for it, Proschwitz had only been on the pitch five minutes but with the match in the balance he could only drag his chance inside the area wide of the far post.  

Seb Hines for Kenneth Omeruo was Boro’s final change with twenty minutes to go, like Woodgate the Chelsea loanee limped off and couldn’t continue.     

Something had to give and with one minute of normal time remaining it did. With the game more open than ever Boro broke forward in numbers, Adomah received the ball to the left of the Barnsley penalty area, his shot was saved by Steele who couldn’t prevent the ball dropping into the path of Graham who tucked the ball into the unguarded net.

Not even the four added minutes could save Barnsley’s inevitable fate, but that didn’t stop Boro finishing in style. In the third minute of stoppage time Tomlin played a neat one-two with Adomah which released him into the Barnsley box, with time on his side Tomlin picked his spot at the far post and buried the ball past Steele.

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopoulos     7- Wasn’t given much to do but reliable when called upon

Jozsef Varga   7- Another solid game at right back, would be welcomed back if he signs next season

Kenneth Omeruo   8- Won everything in the air and commanded the defence

Jonathan Woodgate   7- Was controlling the weak Barnsley attack before he was forced off

Ben Gibson   7- Looked more comfortable at unfamiliar left back position

Dean Whitehead   7- Broke up the play in the middle of the park

Jacob Butterfield   8- Boro’s most creative player, team lost momentum when he was replaced

Albert Adomah   6.5- Dipped in and out of the game, set up the third goal  

Adam Reach   7- Lively in the first half, faded after the break

Lee Tomlin   8- Two goals made the difference, was instrumental in Boro’s attacks  

Danny Graham   6.5- Late goal but struggled impose himself 

Subs

Daniel Ayala   7- Replaced Woodgate in the first half and never looked troubled

Nathaniel Chalobah   6- Offered little to the game after coming on

Seb Hines   6.5- Came on with 20 minutes to go and was given little trouble

My Boro Man Of The Match : Lee Tomlin

Play-Off Door Slams Shut On Boro

 Middlesbrough     1          Millwall     2

        Ledesma  80                                                      Maierhofer  15, 30

With play-off challengers faltering left, right and centre, the door towards the top six was beginning to re-open to some of the chasing mid-table pack; however Boro are one of the teams who have failed to step through it. 

Maierhofer's two goals gave Millwall all three points

Four wins in a row along with others slipping up had given Aitor Karanka’s side a glimmer of hope of sneaking into the final play-off position, however a 2-1 defeat to relegation threatened Millwall has all but condemned Boro to what will be their sixth successive season in the Championship next campaign.

On this performance at least Boro appeared further away from Premier league football than they have been all season; in fact it was Ian Holloway’s Millwall side, currently locked in a battle to stay in the Championship, who looked more like a side fighting nearer the top end of the table.

Placed in the bottom three before kick-off Millwall simply wanted this victory more and prevailed as worthy winners due to two first half goals from striker Stevan Maierhofer which lifted them out of the bottom three. 

Boro on the other hand played well below the standard that has seen them conquer the likes of Burnley and Derby in recent weeks. They could still look back on this as a major opportunity that passed them by.

Karanka made one change from the side which beat Burnley the previous Saturday, Kenneth Omeruo returned from suspension and replaced Daniel Ayala who was sent off at Turf Moor and therefore ineligible to play.

Boro’s lack of options due to suspensions and injuries meant for the second match running Karanka deployed the 3-5-2 formation with Albert Adomah and Emmanuel Ledesma operating as wing-backs, while Omeruo, Nathaniel Chalobah and Captain Jonathan Woodgate made up a three man defence.   

 

Millwall were unchanged from their 2-2 draw with Watford last time out. There was a place in their side for ex- Boro midfielder Nicky Bailey while Scott McDonald, who also made the switch from Teesside to London in the summer, started on the bench.

The first chance of the afternoon fell Boro’s way after eleven minutes.  Grant Leadbitter did well to keep possession and set up Danny Graham on the edge of the Millwall penalty area, the strikers shot was low, on target and required a decent save from Millwall keeper David Forde who tipped the ball onto the post.   

From that point on the hosts had little joy, as the visitors took control of proceedings. On fifteen minutes Boro could only half clear a Millwall corner which dropped to Lee Martin on the visitor’s left, with time to deliver the cross he picked out the towering figure of 6ft 7  Stevan Maierhofer, who leapt higher than any defender to nod the ball past Dimi Konstantopoulos.

Millwall continued to profit in the wide areas as both Martin and fellow winger Martyn Woolford exploiting the space provided by Boro’s unfamiliar back line.

The hosts had chances to draw level, first Lee Tomlin’s cross fell into the path of Jacob Butterfield, whose volley from a tight angle forced an instinctive save from Forde. Minutes later Butterfield turned provider when his cross from the left found Graham however the striker’s header lacked power and resulted in a comfortable save.

That passage of play didn’t last and Millwall were quickly back on the front foot. But what will surely irritate Karanka the most is the way the visitors doubled their lead, an almost carbon copy of the opener saw Martin, once again in space on the left, cross to the unmarked Maierhofer who headed home from close range.

Boro’s frustration began to boil and Whitehead received a booking for a challenge on Millwall defender Alan Dunne, before Tomlin and Graham both shot efforts wide, but they were only half chances at best.

After the break Millwall predictably retreated to defend their two goal cushion, knowing the hard part had been accomplished. That did allow Boro to see more of the ball however they struggled to test Forde in the visitors goal.

With just under an hour played Karanka made his first change by introducing Luke Williams in place of Butterfield while Holloway withdrew Shaun Williams to bring on striker Steve Morrison.

That should have been the substitution that put the game out of sight and made sure the visitors returned to London with all three points. Morrison latched onto a long ball and advanced clear of the Boro defence, he attempted to roll the ball under Konstantopoulos who anticipated the situation well and saved low at his feet.

Moments later the Boro keeper was called into action again to deny Woolford’s low effort following a Millwall counter attack. Another substitution saw Karanka throw on Curtis Main as the hosts piled forward to try and rescue the game.

They needed inspiration from somewhere and with ten minutes to go they found some. Graham was fouled on the edge on the Millwall penalty area and received a free kick in a promising position; Ledesma stepped up and swept a left-footed effort beyond Forde into the top corner of the net.

McDonald got his chance to make his Riverside return with five minutes remaining; he would have added Millwall’s third if it wasn’t for another smart save from Konstantopoulos.

The final few attacks carried little threat and the game like Boro’s play-off hopes slowly faded and the door towards the play-off slammed well and truly shut for another season at least.

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopoulos   7.5- Made some decent saves and was wasn’t helped by his defence for either goal

Jonathan Woodgate   5.5- Lack of pace was capitalised on by Millwall forwards

Nathaniel Chalobah   6- Struggled to compete with Millwall striker Maierhofer in the air 

Kenneth Omeruo   6- Cleared the danger when he could on a difficult day for the Boro defence

Dean Whitehead   5.5- Failed to get to grips with the game as Millwall controlled midfield  

Grant Leadbitter   6- Broke up play but struggled to impose himself on the match

Emmanual Ledesma   6- Scored great free kick, but struggled to adapt to wing back position

Albert Adomah   5.5- Failed to have his usual impact and also struggled in wing back position

Jacob Butterfield   6.5- Looked one of Boro’s most creative players before being replaced

Lee Tomlin   6.5- Provided the little creativity that Boro had going forward

Danny Graham   6- Was given few opportunities up front

Subs

Luke Williams   5.5- Had little impact when brought on with 30 minutes to go 

Curtis Main- Only on for 15 minutes not enough time to give a fair rating   

George Friend – Only on for 5 minutes not enough time to give a fair rating

My Boro Of The Match: Dimi Konstantopoulos

Boro Beat The Blues In Late Night Thriller

Middlesbrough     3        Birmingham     1

                             Graham  29                                                                  Huws  38

                             Butterfield  31

                             Tomlin  89

Boro recorded their third successive league victory with a 3-1 triumph over Birmingham City on a blockbuster evening at the Riverside.

Jacob Butterfield celebrates his first half volley 

The table may suggest that Aitor Karanka’s side have nothing to play for with five games of the campaign remaining, eight points off the play-offs with fifteen left to play for appears an unbridgeable gap even for an optimist. Nevertheless if Boro are to challenge for a top six finish next time around they will need more occasions and atmospheres like one last night.

For the first time in a long time there was that feel good factor and a sense of togetherness in a stadium which is usually only half full. An evening full of drama certainly won’t do any harm to those fans dithering whether to renew their season cards next season.

Danny Graham’s first half goal gave Boro the lead on twenty-nine minutes which was doubled by Jacob Butterfield’s stunning volley moments later. Birmingham’s Emyr Huws produced his own goal of the season contender with a 40 yard belter before half time.

What followed was by far the most action-packed and animated half of football the Riverside crowd have seen all season. The hosts were reduced to nine men in the remaining 10 minutes after defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Ben Gibson were both dismissed for second bookable offences, but spurred on by their aggrieved contingent Boro held on before substitute Lee Tomlin added a welcome third.

"We played with our heads and with our supporters and the players felt their support on the pitch," said Karanka after the match. “It was a crazy game the normal score today could have been 7-4 or 7-5 but we had the personality to win the game with two players less and I'm very delighted. 

The Boro manager made one change from the side which beat Derby on Saturday, as Jacob Butterfield replaced Lee Tomlin as the attacking midfielder in Karanka’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Jonathan Woodgate was fit enough to start on the bench, after being out of action for over a month.

City boss Lee Clarke also made one change from Birmingham’s last match, a 3-1 victory away at Doncaster; Andrew Shinnie replaced Jordon Ibe who dropped to the bench.

Clarke had obviously told his team to press Boro high up the pitch, which resulted in an attacking open game. The visitors had the ball in the net after two minutes through Lee Novak’s close range finish, however the striker was rightly flagged offside. At the other end Butterfield tied up Nathanial Chalobaoh, confident from his goal on Saturday the Chelsea loanee curled a dipping shot forcing City keeper Darren Randolph to tip it over the cross bar.

Karanka was forced to make his first change after twenty minutes when full back George Friend limped off with a groin problem. He was replaced by Woodgate who slotted in at centre back while Ben Gibson moved in to the vacant left back position.

The visitors continued to have more of the ball and should have taken the lead when Shinnie released Burke on the left of the Boro penalty area where he chipped the ball over the on rushing Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos; however he was denied by a goal line clearance from the back tracking Kenneth Omeruo.

Boro took the lead, against the run of play, on twenty-eight minutes. Leadbitter’s in swinging corner was headed down by Gibson into the path of Graham who turned quickly to rifle the ball home from close range.

Before many could draw breath Boro’s advantage was doubled. From outside the area the ball sat up for Butterfield who cracked an exceptional volley which looped over Randolph who could do little to prevent it going in.

However the goal of the night award went to Birmingham’s Emyr Huws eight minutes before half time. Boro thought they had cleared the danger from a City corner but hadn’t anticipated a moment of brilliance from the Birmingham midfielder who from about 40 yards struck a stunning left foot shot which flew into the top corner of the net giving Konstantopulos no chance.   

City came close to drawing level on the stroke of half time when Shinnie connected with Callum Reilly’s cross but flicked his header wide of the far post. The visitors were forced in into a change when Novak was stretchered off and replaced by Nikola Zigic.

After the break it was Boro who came out firing, as they looked to restore their two goal cushion. Graham was sent through on goal from Albert Adomah’s pass but couldn’t beat the keeper who turned the shot over the cross bar. Then Leadbitter’s corner was headed over by Chalobah.

It was now one way traffic in Boro’s favour. Butterfield provided Graham with another one on one opportunity however Randolph once again came out on top saving low down. Moments later Leadbitter set up Luke Williams following a quickly taken free kick but he could only blaze his shot over the cross bar.

On sixty-five minutes Williams made way for Ledesma, who nearly ended up on the score sheet when a deflected shot fell to the Argentine in the penalty area, but Randolph made a smart save to deny him.

Another change saw Tomlin enter the action in place of Butterfield. Once again the impact was almost instant when his shot from the edge of the area rebounded off the post.

With ten minutes remaining the momentum abruptly switched, Omeruo, already booked, brought down City substitute Ibe while the visitors launched a late counter attack. Referee Carl Boyeson deemed that the Boro defender was the last man which resulted in his dismissal. Gibson was also booked for an earlier challenge in the build up.

That proved decisive. Five minutes later Gibson received a second yellow when he collided with Zigic on the edge of the Boro box and like Omeruo he was sent off leaving the hosts with only nine while the fans let the referee know how they felt about it.

City piled on the pressure but it was Boro who had the last laugh on the eventful evening. A goal kick from Konstantopoulos wasn’t dealt with by the Birmingham defenders, who collided in to each other presenting Tomlin a one on one against Randolph, which he finished in style smashing the ball beyond the City keeper causing the Riverside to erupt.

The chant “we’ve only got nine men” from the home fans was more in relief than a mockery as Boro held out to claim their third straight win.

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopoulos   7.5- Made some important saves throughout the match especially late on

Jozsef Varga   8- Kept City’s right hand side very quiet, as he snubbed out any danger at right back

Kenneth Omeruo   6- Sent off for bringing down Ibe who was going through on goal, as he took one for the team  

Ben Gibson   5.5- Moved to left back a looked out of place, harshly given a second yellow and sent off

George Friend   6- Replaced after 20 minutes with a groin problem

Nathaniel Chalobah   7- Imposed himself on the game more after the break when Boro dominated

Grant Leadbtter (C)   7- Provided energy in midfield and delivered some dangerous set pieces

Albert Adomah   6.5- Quiet first half saw more of the ball after half time

Luke Williams   5.5- Looked out of position on the left and struggled to have an impact

Jacob Butterfield   8- Linked up play well in attacking third and scored a stunning goal

Danny Graham   6.5- Worked hard but missed some decent chances to put the game out of sight

Subs 

Jonathan Woodgate   7.5- Came on after 20 minutes a was solid all evening

Emmanuel Ledesma   6.5- Added to Boro’s attacking threat in the second half

Lee Tomlin   7- Looked hungry for his first Boro goal and his effort earned him just that

My Boro Man Of The Match Jacob Butterfield