Middlesbrough 0 Leeds 1
Mowatt 3
To those who were beginning to pre-empt Middlesbrough’s
return to the Premier League after six years away, this was a reminder that in
the Championship there are no guarantees.
Boro battered Leeds in the day’s early kick off; having 27
shots to the visitors 8, 64% possession and 18 corners to a measly 3. Yet all
those stats will count for nothing when the season is done after they lost the
game 1-0 and missed the chance to move four points clear at the top of the
table.
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| Goal scorer Alex Mowatt competes for the ball with Emilo Nsue |
Credit where it’s due, Leeds knew they weren’t going to come
to the Riverside and out pass a Boro team who hadn’t lost at the home since
August. Instead they defended resiliently following Alex Mowatt's goal inside
three minutes, even so if Boro’s finishing had been sharper than your average
butter knife this would have been a very different story.
Leeds keeper Marco Silvestri was rightfully given the SkyBet
man of the man after the giant Italian made an array of important saves to keep
out Boro’s frustrated frontline, which didn’t include top scorer Patrick
Bamford or Lee Tomlin until midway through the second half.
“The players who played in those positions were fresh and
Patrick and Tommo had played on Wednesday against Birmingham,” said Karanka
after the match. “I don’t think with them on the pitch we would have won the
game because we created a lot of chances but we just didn’t finish them”
It was a decision which left many Boro fans scratching their
heads before kick-off, as Karanka opted to make six changes from the side which
started at Birmingham, goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopulos was sent off in that game
and therefore suspended so Tomas Mejias received another opportunity.
At the back Ryan Fredericks was missing while Kenneth Omeruo
dropped to the bench meaning Emilo Nsue was shifted to right back with Tomas
Kalas coming in at centre half. Further forward Adam Clayton, Adam Reach,
Albert Adomah and Kike were all recalled, as Adam Forshaw joined Bamford and
Tomlin on the bench.
Leeds manager Neil Redfearn selected the same eleven players
which started their 1-0 victory over Millwall last Saturday and once again it
proved a winning combination as the visitors took the lead inside three
minutes.
Mejias rolled the ball out to Leadbitter who was quickly
closed down before conceding possession, Leeds midfielder Lee Cook led the
charge and laid the ball off to Mowatt whose shot took a deflection but still
nestled into the bottom corner of the net.
Nevertheless if Boro’s response suggested anything it was
that goals were on the agenda, in contrast it proved to be an afternoon of
missed chances, what ifs and if onlys.
With 10 minutes gone Kike was the orchestrator of a
purposeful Boro attack however he hesitated before his shot was blocked and
scrambled to safety. It was a running theme. Next Leadbitter set up Vossen but
the Belgium forward miscued his shot; he made a sweeter connection with Nsue’s
cross moments later but Silvestri retaliated with an impressive save.
After half an hour a list of opportunities had quickly
formed, on 20 minutes Reach squared the ball back to Vossen who squeezed the
ball under the keeper only for Leeds captain Sol Bamba to clear off the line.
Leadbitter was next to try but dragged a left foot shot wide, moments later
Kike produced a clever turn before trying his luck from range, but Boro simply
didn’t have the winning ticket as Silvestri tipped over the bar.
Apart from the goal Leeds’ only other noteworthy first half
chance came when Bamba headed wide from a corner on the stroke of half time and
after the break the Boro bombardment continued.
Just a minute after the restart Kike’s curling shot from the
edge of the area required a full stretch save from Silvestri to keep it out,
four minutes later he tried again but the same outcome occurred.
There was a thriving atmosphere created by a crowd of 25,531,
including 2,960 from Leeds. Midway through the second half the derby day
tackles began to come quick and fast as the game threatened to run out of
control.
Leeds didn’t help the situation and their attempts to run
the clock down soon frustrated the home fans. The visitors nearly doubled their
lead when Scott Wootton’s firm header rebounded off the bar. Still Boro
dominated as Silvestri palmed away Albert Adomah’s cross.
After 56 minutes Karanka withdrew Reach to bring on Tomlin
and ten minutes later Bamford replaced Nsue as the hosts switched to all-out attack. That added some extra movement
in the final third but when Kike’s close range effort was stopped by a last
ditch block from Bamba it had the feel of a match that was slipping away.
There was a worrying sign with 10 minutes to go when Vossen
appeared to be knocked unconscious and after a lengthy delay left the field on
a stretcher in a head brace to a respectful applause from both sets of fans. That
resulted in nine added minutes but still there was no Boro breakthrough.
Luckily for Boro they only slip down to second in the table
after similar defeats for Bournemouth and Ipswich,they have a chance to redeem
themselves on Tuesday at home to Bolton.
Player Ratings
Tomas Mejias 6- Made
a couple of decent saves but poor throw resulted in goal
Emilo Nsue 6- Looked
vulnerable defensively early on
Ben Gibson 6- Decision
making was a bit indecisive
Tomas Kalas 7.5- Won
the ball well and started attacks
George Friend 6- Got
into some good positions but deliveries were poor
Grant Leadbitter 6-
Failed to have his regular impact
Adam Clayton 7- Gave
a batting workman like performance in midfield
Adam Reach 6- Rarely
beat his full back
Albert Adomh 7.5-
Was a constant threat and put some decent crosses in
Jelle Vossen 7-
Found some good pockets of space in the first half
Kike 7.5- Made his
own chances unlucky not to score
Subs
Lee Tomlin 6.5-
Provided more creativity but couldn’t find a break through
Patrick Bamford 6.5-
Came on with 25 minutes to go, clever movement nearly paid off
Adam Forshaw – Came on with 10 minutes to go unfair to give
a fair rating
My Boro Man Of The Match: Albert Adomah
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