Will It Ever End?

Middlesbrough     0       Brighton     2

                                                             Orlandi  59  Lopez  75

Another game down, another game added to Boro’s unbearable rot. The season which promised so much at the end of 2012 has catastrophically blown up in some embarrassed red faces.

After missing numerous chances to re-launch their play-off aspirations, Boro’s 2-0 defeat to Brighton will do little damage to a season which has already fallen to pieces. However it provides the long sufferring supporters little motivation to return to the Riverside for the remaining two home games with the looming threat that the woeful form will extend to next season.

Boro's woeful form showing no signs of stopping

Coming under additional criticism each week Tony Mowbray was naturally apologetic towards the restless fans. “Another defeat is hard to take and I have to say it's unacceptable for a team of our stature in the league who were sitting second in the league at New Year to have won two out of 15 or 16 game,” said the Boro boss.”At this moment the end of the season can't come quick enough for us. Let's get these games played and reassess in the summer and decide where we're going."

The result left Boro closer to the relegation zone than the targeted play-offs, as the season draws to a dreary close instead of the grand finale expected in January.

For the visit of Brighton, who sat in the final play-off position before kick-off, Mowbray made four changes from his side’s narrow defeat away to Hull. Curtis Main and top scorer Scott McDonald both came in upfront forming a front two, as Ishmael Miller and Mustapha Carayol dropped to the bench.   

The other changes saw Richard Smallwood and Merouane Zemmama replace Sammy Ameobi and Josh McEachran in midfield. Hopeful of sealing a top six finish Brighton were unbeaten in four games however three of those matches had ended a draw, they were without first choice keeper Tomaasz Kuszczak and Kazenga Lualua for their trip to the Riverside.

With a play-off position in their grasp the visitors attracted a good following from the south coast, buoyant about their promotion chances. On the other hand empty seats were again clear to see around the rest of the Riverside, some fans evidently feeling enough is enough for this season.

Overall the game provided little action in front of goal. Boro started the brighter as Smallwood tested Brighton keeper Casper Ankergren, but the low shot was comfortably held.

Boro shaded possession throughout the first half and arguably played the better football, however they created few opportunities going forward lacking the confidence and a spark to ignite the match.

Two bookings in the space of a minute for Smallwood and Grant Leadbitter briefly fired up the crowd, but the whole occasion was a little flat which was reflected by Mowbray’s body language, arms folded slumped against the railings.     

The hosts began to increase the pressure as the first half drew to a close McDonald created a chance on the edge of the area, but his shot was deflected behind for a corner. Boro’s closest effort came minutes later when a cross from the right dropped to Andy Haliday; the stand in left back, in for the injured George Friend, smashed his shot back across goal which whistled past the far post.

Boro had shown some fight in the first half which was welcomed by a round of applause at the break. However they lacked a cutting edge in the final third and at times it was hard to see where a goal might come from.

It took until the fiftieth minute for the visitors to create their first real chance, when defender Inigo Calderon snuck in behind left back Haliday to receive a floating cross, the Brighton full back took a decent touch but showed his inexperience in front of goal fluffing his shot well over the crossbar.

Minutes later the game experienced a chance at the other end after good work from Curtis Main saw him cease possession deep in Brighton territory, he quickly moved the ball on to Zemmama, who then released McDonald to the right of the penalty area. As Boro’s top scorer this season, McDonald’s failure to hit the target was a timely reminder of Mowbray’s obvious problem, only two goals in their last six games, a dilemma which their opponents didn’t have to worry about.

To Brighton’s credit they had begin the second half on the front foot, pushing Boro further back down the pitch, as Gus Poyet’s side began to show their play-off credentials.

Just before the hour mark the visitors demonstrated exactly what Boro were lacking, a swift move saw Dean Hammond run beyond the Boro defence on the right, his cut back across the box was met by an unmarked Andrea Orlandi, who clinically dispatched the ball into the roof of the net, leaving keeper Jason Steele a helpless spectator.

With yet another game slipping away Mowbray desperately turned to the bench, on came Ameobi McEachran and Carayol, as Smallwood, Zemmama and Faris Haroun all made way.

In an attempt to salvage something from another frustrating afternoon Boro piled men forward, but still they barely threatened Ankergren in the Brighton goal, instead it was the visitors who landed the decisive sucker-punch with fifteen minutes to go.

After wasting a free kick in a promising position Boro were suddenly exposed to a decisive counter attack, Liam Bridcutt’s long pass was latched on to by David Lopez, who somehow found himself in acres of space bearing down on the Boro goal. With all the time in the world the Brighton midfielder delicately chipped the ball over Steele to confirm their cheerful return to the south coast and strengthen Brighton’s mounting play-off bid.

Boro’s final efforts came only in vain; Carayol’s threatening run to the touchline was followed by a low cross into the penalty area which failed to be turned in by a fellow red shirt. The final whistle was greeted by a groan of boos from the fans that had stayed until the bitter end. Most of the noise came from the travelling supporters, the chants from the Brighton fans of “we are going up” something Boro fans can only dream of.

Player Ratings

Jason Steele   6- Given nothing to do all game, but had little hope with either goal

Andy Haliday   5.5- Made some contributions going forward but struggled defensively

Jonathan Woodgate   6.5- Kept Brighton front players relivtly quiet for most of the game         

Rhys Williams (C)   7- Took up good positions to snub out potential Brighton attacks

Justin Hoyte   6.5- Got forward at times in the first half but wasn’t given a chance to do it consistently

Faris Haroun   5- Gave limited cover for Hoyte at right back, offered little going forward

Grant Leadbitter   6- Another hard working honest performance, but set pieces continuously caught by the keeper

Meroune Zemmama   6- Gave something different upfront early on but faded as the game went on

Richard Smallwood   5.5- Moved around in midfield which struggled to create many chances

Scott McDonald   5.5- Missed good opportunities which could have turned the game

Curtis Main   7- Worked hard and gave Brighton defenders something to worry about

Subs

Sammy Ameobi   5.5- Came on with 30 minutes to go but offered little going forward

Josh McEachran   6- Came on at late stage when game was virtually over

Mustapha Carayol   6- Got in behind Brighton defence once, as Boro searched for a consolation goal  

My Boro Man Of The Match: Curtis Main