Boro Stung By Hornets

Middlesbrough  1     Watford  2    

                                             McDonald  90                                    Vydra  45  83

Defeats have been a rarity for Boro at the Riverside this season, but after early optimism things are yet to take off in 2013 following a disappointing display at the hands of promotion rivals Watford.

Vydra proved the difference between the two sides 

In a game which never looked like producing a host of chances in front of goal, the visitors were quick to pounce on any opportunity as Czech striker Matej Vydra maximised an unusual error from Boro captain Rhys Williams to send Watford in front on the stroke of half time.

The match didn’t really turn the way of Tony Mowbray’s side, as a well set up Watford team, managed by Gianfranco Zola more than stood their ground. As Boro’s desperation for a equaliser grew their opponents landed the killer blow through another neat finish from Vydra meaning Scott McDonald’s late header was only a mere consolation.

After a chance to rest players in last week’s FA cup tie against Hastings, Boro welcomed back Josh McEachran, Faris Haroun, Seb Hines and George Friend who have all been absent through injury. The surprise selection from Mowbray was that Nicky Bailey started at right back even though Stuart Parnaby was fit on the bench.

Watford’s different formation of 3-5-2 seen to throw Boro, as the visitors got plenty of bodies behind the ball proving tough to break down, causing few scoring opportunities at either end.

It became clear that Boro were going to have to produce some quality to open up the opposition. A couple of tricks from Emmanuel Ledesma or a pass from McEachran looked a possible answer but the moves petered out, as the hosts appeared to be lacking in the final third.

Eventfully Boro’s hold on possession started to turn into chances, as McDonald finally tested the ability of Watford keeper Manual Almunia who matched the striker’s low shot.

Soon after came arguably the best chance of the half when Lukas Jutkiewitz played McEachran through on goal , the Boro midfielder looked to have rounded the goalkeeper choosing not to shoot only to be crowded out by the remaining defenders.  

For all their stability at the back Watford had barely entered the Boro penalty area, but that soon changed seconds away from half time. Marco Cassetti’s cross from the right was met by Williams attempting to chest the ball back to his keeper. However in doing so the Boro skipper, who was having a solid game, only gifted the ball into the path of Vydra who tucked the ball past a helpless Jason Steele.

Despite the fan’s frustration at half time Boro had controlled large parts of the match in the first half, but after the break they struggled to regain that grip on the game.

After the restart there was some rare end to end action first Ledesma tested Almunia before Steele was forced to be brave charging out to close down Vydra who was through on goal.

Another stalemate period followed but nearly ended in style when Ledesma cushioned the ball for substitute Adam Reach who smashed a left foot volley inches wide of the post with Almunia at full stretch.

The Watford keeper encountered little to do after that and it was the visitors turn to mount up the pressure, as Steele was forced into a flurry of saves denying Almen Abdi, Cristian Battocchio and Vydra whose shots were all on target.

But the Boro keeper was left helpless seven minutes from time as the hosts pushed for an equaliser Troy Deeney launched a late counter attack slipping the ball through to Vydra who calmly slotted in the bottom right corner, causing many Boro fans to decide that was enough.    

    

Deep into injury time the hosts did pull one back as a perfect cross from Reach on the left was flicked past Almunia at his near post by the head of McDonald but it proved too little too late.  

Mowbray later said that the first goal was key “I think we shot ourselves in the foot with the first goal we conceded” said the manager. Boro’s next game is away at Leicester on Friday evening, as they hope to put right the New Year hangover which cost them last season.

Player Ratings

Jason Steele   7.5- Could do nothing about either goal, kept team in the game at 1-0

George Friend   6.5- Tried to get forward when he could but struggled against deep opposition

Seb Hines   6.5- Solid at the back, missed a couple of headers from corners      

Rhys Williams (C)   6.5- Great game up until goal which proved costly    

Nicky Bailey   6- Strange chose at right back a didn’t look comfortable

Emmanuel Ledesma   6- Looked a threat early on but faded as the game went on

Grant Leadbitter   6.5- Comfortable in the first half but struggled to get a grip of the game after halftime

Faris Haroun   6- Struggled to have a real impact on the game in central role

Josh McEachran   6- Replaced in second half also faded through the game

Scott McDonald   6.5- Persisted on the wing but struggled to be effective

Lukas Jutkiewitz   6- Isolated up front for most of the game

Subs

Adam Reach   6.5- Added a spark to the team on the wing in second half

Ishmael Miller   5.5- Came on for last 20 minutes but didn’t make much of an impact

Merounane Zemmama – Came on with little time remaining tough to get involved  

My Boro Man Of The Match: Jason Steele