Goalless Draw Keeps Boro In Touch At The Top

Middlesbrough    0        Bournemouth    0

 

 

It is often the case when two in form sides at the top of the table meet and end up cancelling each other out, begging the question what was all the hype was about?

Boro’s 0-0 draw with Bournemouth was built up as the Championship’s game of the day, as 2^nd hosted 1^st at the Riverside. However in the final assessment of a match with few goal scoring opportunities it was a game both sides saw as a must not lose rather than a must win.

Lee Tomlin Couldn't work his magic to open the scoring 

It means that managers Aitor Karanka and Eddie Howe can now go into next week’s international break knowing their sides have lost little ground in the race at the top of the table. Derby’s 5-0 over Wolves may have moved them to the summit; nevertheless both Boro and Bournemouth remain well placed only one point back.

Boro came into this game off the back of an impressive 4-0 victory over Norwich on Tuesday night; Karanka opted to make two changes from that game with Yanic Wildschut and Adam Reach replacing Kike and Albert Adomah who both dropped to the bench. That meant Patrick Bamford moved in from the right into the lone striker position in Karanka’s preferred 4-2-3-1.     

Bournemouth were also full of confidence after winning their last six league games, with Howe picking up the October manager of the month award along the way. Their team showed one change from the side which beat Sheffield Wednesday in mid-week with Yann Kermogant coming in for Brett Pitman.

Even before kick-off the magnitude of this match was clear to see with 22,930 fans present at the Riverside to watch the league’s top two teams. A traditional minutes silence was held prior to the match to remember those who lost their lives at war; its ending prompted a roaring applause and so it began.

Boro were spurred on to a fast start by the home fans in a lively atmosphere, however it took until the ninth minute for them to test Bournemouth keeper Artur Boruc when Lee Tomlin’s promising run lacked a prolific finish.

The visitors responded when Kermogant turned a cross from the left hand side towards the Boro goal but his effort was right at keeper Dimi Konstantopulos. Things may have been different if Reach’s well struck effort had found the back of the Bournemouth net, however the Boro winger could only watch as his shot from range rebounded off the cross-bar.

The midfield stalemate continued as Boro’s central duo of Grant Leadbitter and Adam Clayton found themselves in an ongoing battle with Bournemouth’s Harry Arter and Andrew Surman.

Another run from Tomlin got bums off seats in anticipation but this time his shot was blocked. A spell of Bournemouth pressure followed, first Matt Ritchie forced Konstantopulos to make an impressive save, tipping the ball over his own cross bar. From the resulting corner Surman’s shot deflected off Bamford and looked for a second as if it was going in for an own goal instead it drifted over the bar.

At half time Karanka withdrew the peripheral figure of Wildschut to introduce Kike, who moved into the centre forward role with Bamford switching to the right.

However the move appeared to have little impact, eight minutes after the re-start Leadbitter could only clear the ball as far as Bournemouth’s top scorer Callum Wilson but the player who was recently awarded the Championship’s player of the month could only scoop the opportunity over into the jeering Boro fans.

Goal scoring chances were now a rarity, as the battle to gain the upper hand went on.  Clayton, who had received a booking in the first half, escaped a second yellow card following a foul near the centre circle, the Boro midfielder had put in a worthy performance but Karanka did have Dean Whitehead on the bench and it must have crossed his mind.

Instead the Boro manager brought on Adomah in place of Bamford, who was beginning to struggle out on the right hand side. Moments later Bournemouth winger Marc Pugh was allowed to turn and shoot on the half volley, the effort bounced awkwardly but Konstantopulos smothered it with ease.

With ten minutes to go Karanka used his final substitution as Jelle Vossen replaced Tomlin. Likewise Howe threw on Pitman and Ryan Fraser to try and steal the game, nevertheless it remained goalless and despite not offering much as a spectacle it’s a result which keeps the points total rolling.

Player Rating   

Dimi Konstantopulos   7- Reliable when called upon but wasn’t tested much

 

Ryan Fredericks   7.5- Always gives Boro an outlet going forward and defends well

Ben Gibson   7.5- Won the majority of headers and came out on top of battle with Wilson

Daniel Ayala   7.5- Came out to win the ball on numerous occasions

George Friend   6.5- Wasn’t his best game, struggled to make his usual impact

Grant Leadbitter (C)   7- Gave his usual 100%

Adam Clayton   8- Rarely gave away possession, all-round strong performance in midfield

Yanic Wildschut   5- Didn’t take his chance looked lost on the wing before being subbed at half time

Adam Reach   6- A few good efforts but wasn’t a regular threat

Lee Tomlin   7- Looked like he could be the difference with moments of class but his final shot sometimes let him down

Patrick Bamford   6- Worked hard upfront in the first half, struggled when he moved to the left

Subs

Kike   5.5- Didn’t have a major impact after coming on at half time

Albert Adomah   6- Came on with 20 minutes to go, a few promising runs

Jelle Vossen – Came on with 10 minutes to go, not enough time to give a fair rating

 

My Boro Man Of The Match: Adam Clayton