Boro Lose Momentum

Middlesbrough     2        Sheffield Wednesday     3

         Leadbitter 72 (Pen), 90 (Pen)                                                Nuhiu  6, 57   May  42 


Boro conceded momentum in the early stages of their hunt for a top six finish with a 3-2 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday as they lost at the Riverside for the first time in the new season.

In the end it was a score line which almost flattered the, at times, lacklustre hosts whose mid-week triumph at Bolton on Tuesday night quickly became a distant memory.

Atdhe Nuhiu proved a problem for the Boro defence

Two goals from Atdhe Nuhiu and one from new signing Stevie May hoisted Wednesday into a 3-0 lead as Boro’s so-often reliable defence crumbled inside 57 minutes.

Grant Leadbitter set up a tense finish by converting two late penalties sparing the total embarrassment, however it will be of little consolation to Boro manager Aitor Karanka who described the defeat as the “worst” since his appointment last November.

“It is very difficult to explain. I prefer to keep calm now and analyse the game when I arrive home because it is difficult to explain what happened” He said after the match.

"But the positive is that we still had a chance to draw it at the end despite conceding three goals from set-pieces and playing our worst game since I arrived here, I don't know if some of my players think they are untouchable but it is disappointing the way some played."

The Boro team showed three changes from the side which started at Bolton four days earlier. In defence Daniel Ayala returned in place of Seb Hines who dropped to the bench along with Emilo Nsue and Adam Clayton who were replaced by Adam Reach and Dean Whitehead.

Another healthy attendance, just fewer than 18,000, was down to a decent showing from both Boro and Wednesday fans; however it was the away section of the crowd who were making their voices heard when they took the lead after just 6 minutes.

Boro keeper Tomas Mejias failed to deal with Jacques Maghoma's in swinging corner and when the ball fell at the feet Nuhiu, the striker made no mistake in poking the ball home for his first league goal of the season.

Mejias’ error wasn’t taken lightly by the home supporters behind goal, many of whom also believe the keeper was to blame for the winning goal at Leeds a week ago.

The game remained an open contest and Boro could have drawn level four minutes later when Kike released Reach on the left but his low effort was well saved by ex-Sunderland keeper Kieran Westwood.

However the early mistake had evidentially shaken Boro’s backline and after 24 minutes the visitors came within inches of doubling their advantage. Once again Maghoma was the provider as he charged down Wednesday’s left, his low cross was turned goal bound by May and Mejias was only just able to turn the ball onto the post.

Boro continued to search for a way back into the game however their attacks were regularly breaking down and posed little threat to the opposition.

But it was on 42 minutes when Wednesday landed a pivotal blow; Leadbitter conceded a cheap free kick mid-way inside the Boro half and when the ball was finally clipped into the hosts penalty area May was on hand to volley the ball over Mejias who was caught half way between his line and the striker. For the first time this season the half time whistle was greeted by a number of boos from the home fans which reflected a poor 45 minutes.

The half time break allowed Karanka to switch from his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation to a more attacking 3-5-2 as Clayton was introduced in place of right back Damià Abella

It was a change which almost paid off instantly as Kike worked his way into a good shooting position but saw his shot blocked, minutes later he forced Westwood into action but the keeper saved with ease.

However Wednesday hadn’t gone away. Maghoma and Chris Maguire were still big threats on the wings but it was from another set piece that Boro fell further behind.  

On 56 minutes the hosts were once again guilty of some shoddy defending when Maghoma’s free kick was flicked on and into the net by the unmarked Nuhiu who added to his earlier goal.

Kike continued to have the best of the Boro chances and continued to keep Westwood busy however the Wednesday keeper produced a sharp save to deny the Boro striker from a tight angle on 62 minutes.

Karanka used his second substitution minutes later, withdrawing Lee Tomlin and bringing on Luke Williams. With 18 minutes to go there was a glimmer of hope. Kike spun past and was brought down by Wednesday defender Glen Loovens. The referee pointed straight to the spot before Leadbitter took over slotting the ball away low to keeper’s left.

That wasn’t the end as chances kept on coming, for the visitors Giles Coke saw his header rebound off the post before Kike’s close range header minutes later was once again saved by Westwood.

With the clock ticking it appeared that time for a Boro comeback would quickly run out, however with four added minutes to go they were awarded a second penalty when Loovens handled the ball in the area allowing Leadbitter to smash the ball beyond Westwood.

There was even still time for a late Boro equaliser when Adomah burst down the right and squared the ball across goal; however it was too far ahead of the incoming Williams and Leadbitter. It was simply a case of too little too late.

Player Ratings

Tomas Mejias   4- At fault for the first goal, never looked confident when coming for crosses

Damia Abella   5- Subbed at half time as Boro switched to a more attacking line up

Daniel Ayala   5.5- Couldn’t stop strike force of May and Nuhiu as the defence quickly cracked

Kenneth Omeruo   6- Cleared the danger when he could but received little help

George Friend   6- Made a few overlapping runs in the first half

Dean Whitehead   5.5- Struggled to get to grips with the game in midfield

Grant Leadbitter   6.5- One stand out leader in Boro’s time of need, converted both penalties

Albert Adomah   5- Offered little on the right and gave the ball away too often

Adam Reach   6- Boro’s brightest spark in the first half, faded after the break

Lee Tomlin   5- Indecisive in the final third subbed after an hour

Kike   6- Posed some sort of threat but received little support

Subs

Adam Clayton   6- Looked to move the ball around but had few options

Luke Williams   5.5- Came on for the last 25 minute but received few chances

My Boro Man Of The Match:  Tough to pick for the wrong reasons but for his persistence Leadbitter gets it