Middlesbrough 3 Brentford 0
Tomlin 24 Kike 55
Adomah 78
When you flick back through the recent history of
Middlesbrough Football Club there are certain games which will live long in the
memory, from their League Cup Final victory in 2004 to the memorable European
nights from nine years ago, even so few could deny that yesterday’s play-off
triumph over Brentford was something very special indeed.
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| Kike celebrates Boro's second goal of the night |
Not since the likes of Basel and Steaua Bucharest visited
Teesside, where Boro stood pound for pound with the rest of Europe, has the
Riverside been this vibrant. They knew the prize at stake, and now a place back
in the Premier League is just one match away.
This was by no means a done deal and despite leading by 2
goals to 1 after the first leg at Brentford, Boro had to earn their place at
Wembley in eight days’ time. Lee Tomlin’s audacious strike from the edge of the
box on 24 minutes settled a few nerves, 10 minutes after the restart Spanish
striker Kike made things safe with a second, before Albert Adomah reeled off
with a third.
It was a night which spoke volumes about the work done by
manager Aitor Karanka, who has rejuvenated a club which has spent six years
away from the top division. His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, the Spaniard’s name
was chanted constantly by packed out Riverside, as was chairman’s Steve Gibson
whose commitment to getting the club back in the Premier League has never been
in doubt.
They’re now just one game away from securing a life back in
the big time and Teesside well and truly believe that they will. It’s been too
long since the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have visited the
Riverside, which has been a fortress for Boro this campaign; losing there just
three times all season.
One guarantee is that Aitor Karanka’s side will compete at
Wembley Stadium in the play-off final in a week’s time against either Ipswich
or Norwich who do battle in their second leg later this afternoon.
Not that Karanka will be too concerned about the opposition;
his main task will be to prepare his players in the best way possible, not
least top scorer Patrick Bamford who started on the bench due to an ongoing ankle
injury.
That was the only difference from the side which started at
Griffin Park in the first leg as Kike was preferred upfront. Brentford manager
Mark Warburton, who was in charge of his last game at the club before he leaves
in the summer, must have been similarly happy with his side’s performance a
week ago, as he selected the same 11 players from that game.
Even before kick-off the persistent chats from the home fans
were in full swing, and the word “believe”
covered the North stand from the red and white cards which had been provided on
seats before kick-off.
It was a sight to behold even if the football was a little
cagey early on. That didn’t matter as every tackle, every corner or every blade
of grass covered by a Middlesbrough player was celebrated like a goal.
Brentford did what they could to try and take the edge off proceedings
by retaining large amounts of possession. But as we’ve seen in the past, that doesn’t
always win football matches and Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopulos barely had a
save to make.
Like the first leg they picked up a few bookings in the
process, as Adam Clayton and Dean Whitehead were shown the yellow card, you wouldn’t
expect anything less in a game of this magnitude. Brentford players protested and at times they
had a point, on other occasions they could have been a little stronger, football
is a contact sport after all.
However they could have no complaints about Boro’s opener, Clayton’s
swooping pass to the right picked out Adomah who jinked inside of his defender
before teeing up Tomlin. Those being hypercritical could have pointed to the
fact he was allowed too much space on the edge of the area. In truth few could
have prevented the swift touch produced to get the ball out of his feet before
the curling shot which pinged in off the post, giving keeper David Button no
chance.
Brentford’s only real chances fell to striker Andre Gray,
who this time last year was playing his football in the conference. Nevertheless
he couldn’t add a 19th goal of the season to his tally, after a weak
header on 41 minutes was comfortably held by Konstantopulos. Minutes later Gray
failed to make contact with Moses Odubajo’s low cross, those chances aside the striker
lacked service for most of the night.
In contrast Boro’s frontline were given plenty to feed off
and delivered 10 minutes after the restart. Tomlin turned provider as he threaded
a well-weighted pass through to Jelle Vossen, who with defenders around him
hustled to get the ball under control. After assessing his options he finally
set up Kike whose first touch took him into a shooting position where he couldn’t
miss the target.
Jubilant scenes followed, the task was almost complete. But
there was more to come 12 minutes from time, as Tomlin, Vossen and Adomah combined
to create a tika-taka like goal inside to Brentford penalty area. It finished with
an Adomah side foot off the underside of the bar, which found the net and
sparked the sarcastic chants “we only
score from set pieces” aimed towards Brentford defender Harlee Dean who had
been made to eat his words.
The visitors went close to a consolation but substitute Jon
Torel slide his effort wide. But this was Boro’s night, Boro’s dream and Boro’s
journey to Wembley. The history books may have to be updated in a week’s time,
the glory days may not be too far away.
Player Ratings
Dimi Konstantopulos
6.5- Had a few routine saves to make
George Friend 7.5-
As passionate as ever running up and down the left flank
Daniel Ayala 7- Took
no chances at the back, in truth didn’t have a great deal to do
Ben Gibson 7- Read
the game well to stifle the Brentford attack
Dean Whitehead 7-
reliable and calm head, made the right decisions nothing too complicated.
Adam Clayton 8- Obtained
loose balls and rarely misplaced a pass, very tidy performance
Grant Leadbitter 8-
Was box to box throughout the game winning tackles and holding midfield
Albert Adomah 8- Provided
a great outlet on the right which Boro used affectively
Lee Tomlin 9- Was
the catalyst behind Boro’s attack, scored stunning opener and was the main
creator throughout
Jelle Vossen 7.5-
Another tireless performance leading the line
Kike 7.5- Held the
ball up well and brought others into play, second goal sealed the tie
Subs
Adam Reach – Came on for the last 18 minutes, not enough
time to give a fair rating
Adam Forshaw - Came on for the last 8 minutes, not enough
time to give a fair rating
Jonathan Woodgate- Came on for the last minute, not enough
time to give a fair rating
My Boro Man Of The Match: Lee Tomlin
