Boro Keep On Winning

Middlesbrough    3        Charlton    1

                         Bamford  5  Vossen  47                                         Guðmundsson  37

                                 Tomlin  87

 

 

If there’s ever a way to justify being named Championship player of the month, then Lee Tomlin’s performance earlier today certainly did it.

Jelle Vossen celebrates Boro's second goal

The tricky Middlesbrough playmaker took the game by the scruff of the neck to help his side beat Charlton by three goals to one at the Riverside Stadium, by scoring and providing an assist for Jelle Vossen to add his impressive recent tally.

Both came after Patrick Bamford’s first half header was cancelled out by Charlton midfielder Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson’s fine strike, it’s a win which keeps Boro a single point behind the league leaders Derby and Bournemouth who were both also victorious in the 3 o’clock kick-offs.

On paper 3-1 may look like a convincing victory against a Charlton side who were 18^th before kick-off and hadn’t won since November. But Tomlin’s goal, an audacious vivid volley from the edge of the box, didn’t come until the 87^th minute when the game was finally put to bed.

“I told players at half-time the worst thing that could’ve happened was scoring the first goal,” said Karanka after the game. “That meant we thought it was going to be easy and it wasn't – it was difficult.

“The worst thing was to score and the best thing was to concede because we needed to wake up and play the way we can and we did that in the end.

“Everyone has been speaking about what a good team we are after winning the Manager of the Month and the Player of the Month awards and then we scored within five minutes, when we play the way we did in the second half it’s difficult to beat us.”

The Boro manager named an unchanged side from the one which beat Brentford by a goal to nil the previous Saturday. Daniel Ayala was forced to serve the second of his two match suspension for picking up 10 yellow cards, that meant Ben Gibson and Kenneth Omeruo were once again selected as the central defensive pairing.     

In contrast Charlton manager Guy Luzon made four alterations from the visitor’s last game. One of those included Ex- Boro defender Andre Bikey who dropped to the bench and was replaced by Oguchi Onyewu who joined former Boro loanee Milos Veljkovic in the starting line-up.

Like Karanka said a lot of people had been talking about Boro after he and Tomlin landed the manager and player of the month awards, inside five minutes the hosts had quickly stormed ahead.

From Leadbitter’s in swinging corner Bamford broke free from any sort of defensive marking before flicking a near post header across goal and past Charlton keeper  Marko Dmitrović.

From there the script was written for Boro to sail into the distance and run out worthy winners. That wasn’t the case and although the better chances did fall to the hosts, Boro didn’t exactly look like putting a side low in confidence firmly to the sword.

With 12 minutes played Leadbitter’s shot deflect wide, five minutes later Tomlin’s clever flick presented Bamford a sight at goal but Dmitrović saved. The Charlton keeper looked less convincing when dealing with Vossen’s long range effort which he couldn’t hold and beat away with his fists.

Around the half hour mark the game had to be stopped when Veljkovic picked up a shoulder injury and had to make way for substitute Johnnie Jackson. That summed up the dreary nature of the game, in which Boro had been unable to enforce their usual slick and tidy passing game.

On 37 minutes their lapse in urgency came back to bite them.  Tony Watt cut inside from the left and teed up Guðmundsson, who was some distance from goal, however his left foot shot was accurately placed into the top left corner and gave Boro keeper Dimi Konstatopulos little chance.

Nevertheless in the halftime interval, Karanka managed to strike some tempo back into his promotion chasing side. Within two minutes of the restart they were back in front when Tomlin’s deception and skill allowed him to cut through the Charlton defence and into the penalty area where he squared the ball to Vossen who converted from close range.

That was the cue for Boro to stamp their authority on the match, however on 52 minutes they had to rely on Gibson’s vital interception which prevented Watt a clear sight at goal.

Boro had more control of proceedings in the second half and their passing generally had more of a zest to it. On 57 minutes Albert Adomah’s cross was turned behind and from the resulting corner Clayton’s low effort was held by Dmitrović.

Just after the hour mark Tomlin set up Bamford inside the Charlton box where the Boro forward was tackled and appealed for a penalty but referee Trevor Kettle waved play on. Vossen also had chances to add to his earlier goal, however his close range volley hit the side netting before a later effort was deflected over the cross bar. With 18 minutes to go there was a home debut for Adam Forshaw who replaced Bamford.

But the game was sealed three minutes from time when Leadbitter’s corner picked out the unmarked Tomlin on the edge of the area who connected sweetly with a first time volley which perfectly zipped through the air and in to the bottom corner of the net.

Another job done. Another Boro win. Another step closer to promotion.

 

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopulos   7- Could do little about the goal, apart from that had little to do

Ryan Fredericks   8- Crossing was accurate, provided attacking threat from right back

Kenneth Omeruo   6- Still looks a little rusty after a run out of the side

Ben Gibson   7- Consistent performer week after week

George Friend   6.5- Got forward on occasions but not as much as usual

Adam Clayton   6.5- Hard midfield work often goes unnoticed

Grant Leadbitter   7- Was the commanding presence in midfield

Patrick Bamford   7- Opening goals adds to impressive run

Albert Adomah   5.5- Was on the fringes for most of the game

Lee Tomlin   9- Took the game by the scruff of the neck and provided quality to win it

Jelle Vossen   7- Got in a good position to score and worked hard upfront

Subs

Adam Forshaw   6- Made home debut coming on with 18 minutes to go

My Boro Man Of The Match: Lee Tomlin

                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Battling Boro Move Back In To Top Two

Middlesbrough    2        Cardiff City    1

                             Bamford 63  Tomlin 79                                                Jones 86

There are a number of ways to try to escape the gripping clutches of the SkyBet Championship, at the moment Middlesbrough are attempting to do it with sheer grit and determination.

They beat Cardiff City on the bitterest of Tuesday nights at the Riverside to move back into the automatic promotion places following goals from Patrick Bamford and Lee Tomlin in a 2-1 victory, where Cardiff striker Kenwyne Jones recorded a late consolation for the visitors.

Patrick Bamford celebrates his 8th league goal of the season

Like Saturday’s victory over Huddersfield it was a case of patience for the home fans who witnessed a frustrating stalemate for 60 odd minutes, before they began to turn the conclusive screw on Cardiff, in the end they were worthy winners.  

In terms of the league, the signs continue to look bright for Aitor Karanka’s side, Jones’ goal in the 86^th minutes was the first conceded by Boro in the league for over seven hours of football. It was only the 18^th they have let in all season, making them by some way the best defence in the division so far.

That seems to be the nature of Karanka’s management style, disciplined, measured and its very rare he will set up a side to try and outscore the opposition, instead he prefers organisation and likes to make Boro difficult to beat.

At the moment the balance of his team appears just right and in the last two home games we’ve seen Karanka as a man determined to persevere with his system rather than rush into changes.

That was the case here. Boro hadn’t exactly pummelled the Cardiff goal before Bamford’s opener just past the hour mark. Yet Karanka hadn’t flinched and just like against Huddersfield, his side wore the opposition down before pouncing with purpose.

Grant Leadbitter and Adam Clayton were once again full of fight and character, giving nothing away in the heart of midfield, similarly Daniel Ayala and Ben Gibson won header after header in their duels with the Cardiff forwards. On the whole the visitors lacked quality for a side relegated from the Premier League less than a year ago.

Karanka made just the single change from the side which beat Huddersfield last time out with Adam Reach coming in for Albert Adomah who dropped to the bench. Partrick Bamford once again started on the right with Reach operating on the left and Lee Tomlin in behind Kike upfront.

Cardiff manager Russell Slade made two changes from his side's 3-2 defeat away to Norwich at the weekend. Matthew Connolly replaced Scott Malone while Kadeem Harris, one of the goal scorers at the Carrow Road came in for Adam Le Fondre who was named among the substitutes.

As the in-form side it was Boro who flew out of the traps and nearly opened the scoring straight from the kick off. Tomas Kalas fed the ball down the right channel to Bamford who then cut the ball back to Kike inside the area; however the Spainish striker delayed his shot and was quickly closed down.

After taking 15 minutes to recharge their batteries the hosts threatened again. Bamford, who was causing all sorts of problems for the visitors defence, took on a shot from range which City keeper Simon Moore spilled in front of him. In an attempt to correct his error Moore leapt at the feet of Kike to prevent a certain tap in, there were appeals for a penalty but referee Geoff Eltringham turned them down.

Cardiff were beginning to find their feet as they began to test Boro goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopulos, however they were routine saves at best and the greater chances still fell the way of the hosts, with Ayala heading a corner into the hands of Moore before Friend nodded one wide of the post.

In many ways it had been an ordinary half of football from Boro who needed to notch up a gear or two in the attacking third of the pitch. The visitor’s best chance fell to Harris on 58 minutes when he moved in from the right and forced Konstantopulos to save his low effort at full stretch, it wasn’t the first time in the last few days the Boro keeper had bailed his side out of trouble.

Nevertheless they soon repaid him. On 63 minutes Reach charged to the by-line on the left hand side before cutting the ball back across the area to pick out Bamford whose original shot was blocked. However he spent no time to recompose himself and tucked away the rebound.

Prior to the goal both Leadbitter and Clayton had picked up bookings for their dogged performances in midfield, their efforts helped revitalise the home crowd who nearly saw their side double their lead when Bamford’s cross was headed wide by Kike.

The Boro striker was handed another chance moments later when Clayton sent him through on goal but Moore denied him. Even so Boro extended their lead on 79 minutes when Reach zipped the ball into the box where Tomlin arrived late to double Boro’s lead.

Boro had dealt well with Cardiff’s direct balls into the box; Craig Noone’s long range shot with 10 minutes to go was comfortably saved by Konstantopulos and summed up their frustration.

Yet there was still time for a climactic finish when Joe Ralls crossed the ball to fellow substitute Jones who headed in with four minutes to go. But Boro held on and can now make the anticipated trip to Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday with nothing to lose.     

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopulos   7- Not required as much as on Saturday but reliable when needed

Tomas Kalas   7- Good defensively, crossing needs some work     

Daniel Ayala   8- Won everything in the air, rock solid

Ben Gibson   7- Coped well with Cardiff’s direct approach

George Friend   6- Quiet by his standards wasn’t able to get forward as much

Adam Reach   7- Provided two decisive crosses which became assists

Grant Leadbitter   8- Picked up loose balls in midfield and won the ball well, drove the team forward

Adam Clayton   7- Kept the ball moving while searching for the right pass

Patrick Bamford   8- Was a menace for Cardiff out wide, ran at players, deserved his goal

Lee Tomlin   6.5- Quiet game before his goal

Kike   6- Struggled to move Cardiff centre backs out

Subs

Albert Adomah   6- Looked lively for a brief cameo

Jelle Vossen – Only on for 6 minutes not enough time to give a fair rating

Dean Whitehead – Replaced Kalas in stoppage time not enough time to give a fair rating

My Boro Man Of The Match : Patrick Bamford 

Boro Back On Track After Frantic Finish

Middlesbrough    2        Huddersfield    0

                           Tomlin  61,  90+4

 

 

It’s quite astounding just how many emotions a crowd can go through in the space of four added minutes. Agony, hope, elation and that’s not all the Boro fans experienced in the time between the fourth official holding up his board and the referee’s full time whistle.



Lee Tomlin celebrates his two goals

It took until the fourth of those prolonged minutes for Lee Tomlin to finally put the game beyond any doubt with his second goal of the match stretching Boro’s unbeaten run to four league games after victory over Huddersfield Town.

Nevertheless don’t be fooled on what may look a convincing 2-0 victory, moments earlier Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopulos had been forced to make a series of outstanding saves before Daniel Ayala cleared off the line, a comfortable home win this was not.

Boro were not at their brimming best and this was no question a level below the sort of home performances displayed against the likes of Derby and Norwich, however, with the end of the season moving into sight it’s now simply a case of any win will do.     

In the overall assessment Aitor Karanka should take the positives going into Tuesday night’s game against Cardiff. For starters his side have ended a mini goal drought after failing to register at Blackburn and Reading, the defence once again looked solid and for a good part of 80 minutes Boro were worthy of their 1-0 lead as they chipped away at a Huddersfield side content to defend for large spells.

“It was another tough game but we can’t keep suffering in the way we suffered when we have had chances to score two or three in the first half” said Karanka after the game. “We won and it was an important three points. I’m very pleased because we kept going to the end, but we could have done it before then”

“Now we have to think about Tuesday (against Cardiff), but I’m very pleased with my players because they were brilliant.”

The chances Karanka were referring to could have been a major talking point if Boro had failed to take all three points, strikers Patrick Bamford and Kike went another game without scoring, the latter hasn’t found the net since early December.

The Boro side showed three changes from the side which was held to a goalless draw at Reading last weekend. In attack Kike and Lee Tomlin were recalled to replace Jelle Vossen and Adam Reach who both dropped to the bench, while Bamford was shifted over to the right wing. Adam Clayton also returned to face his former club following his one game suspension, with Dean Whitehead making way.

Huddersfield made just the single change from the team which won at home to Watford last Saturday.  Jonathan Hogg came into midfield where he lined up alongside ex-Boro player Jacob Butterfield.

The opening exchanges belonged to Boro and with just five minutes gone Kike saw his low shot from the edge of the area rebound off the post, four minutes later Leadbitter released Bamford through on goal but his touch was heavy due to the pressure from Huddersfield keeper Alex Smithies.

The visitor’s game plan was clearly to stay tight at the back and try to hit Boro on the counter attack, but on 17 minutes they nearly fell behind again when George Friend sent a header wide from Leadbitter’s inviting corner.

After 23 minutes Huddersfield manager Chris Powell was forced into an early change when striker James Vaughan had to come off injured, Oscar Gorburn took his place. In the 36^th minute the Riverside stood in unity with a minutes applause for Boro fan Craig "Spuggy" who recently lost his battle with cancer.

For the majority of the half Boro’s football was patient but lacked a cutting edge to open the scoring. It took until the start of the second half for them to reapply any serious pressure, seconds after the restart Bamford cut the ball back to Kike who wasted a golden opportunity, minutes later Tomlin fired over from the edge of the box.

Butterfield was by far Town’s biggest threat and was finding space in front of Boro’s backline. Nevertheless it was the hosts who took the lead just after the hour mark when Kike teed up Tomlin on the edge of the area and the Boro playmaker fired the ball past Smithies who stood little chance.

It was unsurprising Huddersfield’s response came through Butterfield whose vicious effort from range forced a spectacular save from Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopulos. At the other end Smithies parried away Adomah’s effort from a tight angle.

With ten minutes to go it was Boro who began to hang on for dear life and were only saved by the width of the post when Nahki Wells cut in from the right and was allowed to shoot unchallenged.

Karanka introduced Vossen and Reach to the action to try to weather the storm but in the final few minute’s things became frantic. Konstantopulos was forced to make two vital saves, the second a stinging shot from Gorburn which arrived through a crowd of player. Moments later Ayala became the last-gasp hero when he cleared off the line following a Huddersfield counter attack.

But it was to be Boro’s day, they broke away in the dying seconds after Smithies had gone up for Huddersfield corner, Tomlin led the charge and with time to spare he rolled the ball into the unguarded net. Relief at last for the Riverside crowd who will do it all again against Cardiff on Tuesday night.

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopulos   8- Won the points in the last few minutes with some top saves

Tomas Kalas   6.5- Got into some good areas but at times his crossing let him down

Daniel Ayala   8- Didn’t put a foot wrong all game and put his body on the line on numerous occasions

Ben Gibson   7- Made some good interceptions early on

George Friend   6.5- Was a threat going forward in the first half

Adam Clayton   7- Swept up the danger well in midfield

Grant Leadbitter   6.5- Battled away as Boro pushed for a breakthrough

Albert Adomah   5.5- Was a peripheral figure for most of the game

Patrick Bamford   6- Enjoyed more success when he was moved to the centre

Lee Tomin   7.5- Proved to be the match winner after great strike

Kike   6- Struggled to have an impact for large spells

Subs

Adam Reach   6- Came on for the last 18 minutes to add fresh legs

Jelle Vossen – Came on for the last 7 minutes not enough time to give a fair rating

My Boro Man Of The Match : Daniel Ayala

        

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boro Power Past McClaren's Derby

Middlesbrough    2        Derby    0

                           Bamford  6    Leadbitter (Pen)  63

 

 

Steve McClaren said he rued the decision not to re-sign Patrick Bamford at the end of last season; it took just six minutes for everyone at the Riverside to see why.

Bamford has now scored 6 goals in 7 games

Bamford, still owned by parent club Chelsea but on loan at Middlesbrough, is in the form of his life and has now scored six in his last seven games. He struck again as Boro knocked McLaren’s Derby off their perch at the top of the Championship and extend their unbeaten record to eight games.

Boro captain Grant Leadbitter added a second from the penalty spot after Derby defender Ryan Shotton was sent off. That followed Bamford’s first half strike which opened the scoring, but this was far from a one or even two man show from Aitor Karanka’s side who strung together an ominous team performance to move top of the Championship after the lunch time kick off.

Derby were the league leaders coming into this game, the second highest scorers in the division, yet they barely had a sniff at the Boro goal. Their top goal scorer Chris Martin had more moans at the referee than touches in the opposition penalty area that was largely down Boro’s compact shape which rarely broke down.

Overall the hosts didn’t see much of the ball and the stats may suggest Derby dominated with 61% possession. However most of that was spent in the visitors own half as Boro pressed from the front, won the ball back in dangerous areas and counter attacked sharply, in truth it could have been more than two.

Karanka made just one change from the team which crushed Millwall at the New Den last weekend. Ben Gibson replaced Kenneth Omeruo in the heart of defence as the Boro manager stuck with the 4-4-2 formation which allows Bamford and Jelle Vossen to start together upfront.

Former Boro manager McLaren also made just the single change from the Derby side which prevailed 3-0 at home to Brighton, captain Richard Keogh returned at centre half replacing Jake Buxton.

As the league leaders Derby tried to stamp their authority on the match from the kick-off, nevertheless it was Boro who scored with their first genuine attack.

With six minutes gone Leadbitter won possession inside opposition territory and fed the ball to Vossen whose path to goal was halted by a Derby challenge. That wasn’t the end. Reach was first to the loose ball and drove to the by-line, his cut back to Bamford was inviting and Boro’s in form striker accepted the invitation to stroke the ball low into the far corner.    

Spirits were up but work had to be done to channel the following Derby pressure. In the middle of the park Leadbitter and Adam Clayton were making up for the visitors extra man in midfield, while up top Bamford and Vossen were working equally as hard to pin the opposition back.

In the 27^th minute Boro received the chance to go further ahead. Bamford was released through on goal, from a tight angle his shot was palmed away by Derby goalkeeper Lee Grant who then made an even more impressive save to deny Vossen’s follow up.

Clear cut chances were rare and Boro’s only other effort came on the stroke of half time when Emilo Nsue’s deflected shot needed Grant to intervene. There was still time for Derby to come up with their first shot on target when a lapse in Boro’s back line allowed Jeff Hendrick to shoot but Dimi Konstantopulos saved comfortably.

At half time McClaren made a double change allowing Derby to go 4-4-2. Leon Best was introduced to act as an extra striker as Omar Mascarell made way; on the left Jordan Ibe replaced Simon Dawkins.

Immediately the game was a much more open affair with the chances falling Boro’s way. Reach looped a header just wide before the winger’s cross caused chaos in the Derby penalty area. Vossen then had an effort blocked before Grant saved Bamford’s shot on the rebound.

They came even closer when Grant kept out Daniel Ayala’s glancing header on 58 minutes however it wasn’t long Boro landed the knockout blow. Bamford broke clear inside the Derby penalty area and prepared to shoot, in an attempt to stop him Shotton got nowhere near the ball with a late challenge which earned him a straight red card and left his team facing a Leadbitter penalty which the Boro skipper smashed past Grant.

Bamford nearly added a deserved second when he turned Albert Adomah’s low cross goal bound only to be denied by another specular save from Grant. That proved to be his last contribution as he was replaced by Kike with 18 minutes to go, a standing ovation was well deserved as was the one for Vossen who made way for Yanic Wildchut moments later.

Derby could have set up a nervy finish with four minutes to go when Ibe cut the ball back to Craig Bryson forcing Konstatopulos into action, but this was Boro’s day “We are top of the league” was the chant at full time. For a few hours at least.

Player Ratings      

Dimi Konstantopulos   7- Made two saves when he had to, not much to do

George Friend   6.5- Russell caused him problems in the first half

Daniel Ayala   7.5- Commanding figure at the back

Ben Gibson   6.5- Got caught in possession a few times but got away with it

Emilo Nsue   7- Had little problem defensively and got forward well in the second half  

Grant Leadbitter (C)  8.5- Picked up the loose ball and made up for Derby’s extra midfielder   

Adam Clayton   8.5- Battled tirelessly in midfield, put in challenge after challenge

Adam Reach   7.5 caused problems on the left all game

Albert Adomah   6.5- Quiet at times came alive more in the second half

Patrick Bamford   8.5- Now scored 6 in 7, a handful all game

Jelle Vossen   7.5- Defended from the front and was sharp on the counter

Subs

Kike   6.5- Came on for last 18 minutes held the ball up well  

Yanic Wildchut – came on for the last 12 minutes not enough time to give a fair rating

My Boro Man Of The Match: Grant Leadbitter

 

 

Bitter Taste For Boro

Middlesbrough    1        Blackburn    1

Bamford  82                                                          Gestede  90+5 

 

 

 

It’s no secret that refereeing decisions can change games, make seasons or ruin promotion campaigns, the fact of the matter is if you’re good enough the odd bad call here or there shouldn’t make a difference. Aitor Karanka will hope that is the case.



Gestede converts a Blackburn equaliser

The two points his Boro side dropped on Saturday afternoon at home to Blackburn were far from fatal to their promotion aspirations, nevertheless too many and a position in the top two could slowly drift away.

Denied a late penalty last week at Wigan, undone seven days later by a Blackburn equaliser which looked more like a karate move than a Championship football match, all that was missing was the black belt to go with it. No wonder Karanka’s calm demeanour was briefly unrecognisable.  


The Boro manager was sent to the stands by referee Mark Clattenburg following Rude Gestede’s stoppage time goal, which left Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopulos in a heap and Boro without a win in three league games.

The hosts looked to be heading for three hard earned points when Patrick Bamford’s strike eight minutes from time finally broke the band of Blackburn resistance; it wasn’t until the dying seconds of the game when the wheels fell off.

With a last gasp corner the visitors packed the Boro box where Konstantopulos appeared to be clobbered by Blackburn substitute Chris Brown. No foul given, Gestede fired home and with emotions running high things boiled out of hand, in the dugout and in the crowd.

“I want to apologise for my behaviour,” said Karanka. “I was very frustrated, and I will fight for this club until the last seconds, but I want to apologise.

“You can imagine my frustration because no one saw the foul. I was asked immediately afterwards if I had seen it and I said I didn’t need to. My keeper was on the treatment table to so I didn’t need to see it. He took a kick on the hip.

“My players had been fighting for 94 minutes and we had the three points in our hands – then they were taken from our hands by other people”.

Anyone who has followed Karanka over his past year will know he’s not one for excuses or hammering referees, he will only comment if he feels there is a strong case.

Like at Wigan last week there probably was.  However you can’t help feeling these referring decisions have allowed people to paper over the cracks. Boro were poor at the DW stadium last weekend, and didn’t exactly burst out of the blocks against Blackburn or take their chance to box the ball in the corner and run the clock down.

For a team currently in the top six and two points off the top, they still appear to lack the confidence to really get at teams from the off. Nevertheless in Boro’s defence they were the better team in this one and could easily have had four or five if it wasn’t for Blackburn keeper  Simon Eastwood whose second half heroics kept the visitors afloat.

Karanka made five changes from the side which started at Wigan a week ago, Adam Clayton was suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card so Dean Whitehead came into midfield.

Elsewhere Ryan Fredericks and Kenneth Omeruo returned in defence replacing Emilo Nsue and Ben Gibson. Bamford’s goal at the DW stadium earned him a start on the left, while Jelle Vossen replaced Kike upfront, the Spanish striker dropped to the bench alongside Adam Reach.

Blackburn boss Gary Bower made two changes from the team which started Rovers victory at Leeds. Jason Steele on loan from Boro was ineligible to play so Eastwood received his chance. Tom Cairney was sent off in that game so Ryan Tunnicliffe replaced him.

Before the game the crowd of over 18,000 welcomed back Boro legend Juninho, his intervention would have been more than welcome in a bog-standard first half.

Rovers’ strike force contained the potent duo of Gestede and Jordan Rhodes and the pair looked a potential handful in the early exchanges. Nevertheless it was the hosts who came closest to breaking the deadlock, Grant Leadbitter had long range efforts saved by Eastwood, minutes later Bamford tied his luck and Vossen was inches away from turning the rebound home.

Vossen, who is yet to resister for Boro, must currently feel like a man who can’t even buy a goal. He had two more efforts saved by Eastwood before the break as Boro began to assert themselves. Before the interval Daniel Ayala glanced over a Leadbittrer corner before Bamford tested the Blackburn keeper once again.    

The only negative for the hosts came in the shape of an injury to Fredericks who was forced off minutes before the interval, as predicted Nsue took his place. Despite a bright start Rovers had created very little in front of goal, Rhodes’ attempted overhead kick was comfortably saved by Konstantopulos, that aside they rarely threatened.

After the restart Boro quickly flicked through the gears. Five minutes after half time Tomlin found Bamford inside the area whose low effort forced Eastwood back into action, that however had nothing on the save moments later when Friend hit an inviting first time cross from the left.  In the middle Vossen looked poised to score and hit the target with a close range header, somehow Eastwood kept it out.

In a more open second half Blackburn also threatened to open the scoring, Ben Marshall forced a full stretch fingertip save from Konstantoplos to his left before Gestede’s header required a more comfortable save.  

Eastwood continued to have the match of his life, his next act a low save with his feet to deny Nsue who connected well with a right foot volley. Tomlin was next to try his luck from range but again the keeper matched the effort.

With seventeen minutes to go Karanka introduced Kike in place of Vossen, on the other side of the dugout Bower brought on Craig Conway for Rhodes.

With eight minutes left Eastwood was finally beaten, Rovers failed to fully clear a cross into the box and on the edge of the area the ball fell to Bamford who lashed the ball goal bound, a deflection off a Blackburn defender made sure the ball found its way in.

Cue euphoria, three points and Boro would be joint top. As it finished they ended up fifth. With the last kick of the game a Blackburn corner caused havoc, appeals for a foul were turned down and an equaliser followed. Referee Clattenburg was booed off the pitch but the decision wasn’t going to change.

Player Ratings  

Dimi Konstantopulos   6.5- Had little to do before the goal, unfortunate not to get foul

George Friend   6.5- Provided width on the left  

Daniel Ayala   7.5- Prepared to put his head where it hurts and came off with some bruises for it

Kenneth Omeruo   7.5- Returned to the team with little fuss

Ryan Fredericks   6- Replaced before half time due to injury

Dean Whitehead   7- Kept it simple rarely gave the ball away

Grant Leadbitter   7-Thretened a few times from corners

Albert Adomah   5.5- Looked lost and out of position for most of the afternoon

Patrick Bamford   8- Cut inside well from the right and was Boro’s main threat

Lee Tomlin   7- Dropped deep and played some creative passes  

Jelle Vossen   6.5- Can’t buy a goal at the minute, his potential and hunger showed though. Unlucky

Subs

Emilo Nsue   6.5- Got forward from right back well, crossing was dangerous

Kike   5.5- Came on for the last 17 minutes and work rate appeared to be lacking

Ben Gibson- Came on for the last 4 minutes can’t give a fair rating

My Boro Man Of The Match: Patrick Bamford

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

Boro Crush Canaries To Go Second

Middlesbrough    4        Norwich    0

                     Bamford  5    Leadbitter  33 (Pen), 69

                                    Wildschut  85 

Middlesbrough laid down the gauntlet to the rest of the Championship with an eye-opening 4-0 victory over promotion rivals Norwich, a result which moves Aitor Karanka’s side up to second in the league and sets up a top of the table clash with 1^st place Bournemouth on Saturday.

Patrick Bamford celebrates the opening goal

After Patrick Bamford got the ball rolling with a close range header, Boro captain Grant Leadbitter notched his league goal tally up to eight with two contrasting goals, his first a calm finish from the penalty spot his second a swooping header over Norwich keeper John Ruddy. Substitute Yanic Wildschut added a fourth to round off an emphatic win

With only 16 games gone it’s still far too early to start thinking about any promotion celebrations; however this was clear evidence that Karanka’s side can do more than just go toe to toe with one of the early season favourites, it was evidence they have the ability to take them apart.

Norwich are no pushovers and this time last year were holding their own in the Premier league, nevertheless Boro had drained the energy from their opponents by half time and in the second half, hung them out to dry for all of the Championship to see.

The Canaries could point to the awarding of harsh looking penalty when Russell Martin collided with George Friend inside the visitors box before Leadbitter made it 2-0. Manager Neil Adams gave no excuses though saying “We got what we deserved. It was not good enough at all” He was right and after a bright start the Norwich heads soon dropped after half time.

Contrastingly Karakna was understandingly upbeat but wary of any premature celebrations "We have very good players and a very good squad. We are in a very good way but these kind of games cannot confuse us into thinking everything is done” Said the Boro manager after the match “I am very happy and very pleased but we want to keep our feet on the ground. We would like to be in this position in May."

The Boro team showed three changes from the side that started in the 3-0 victory over Rotherham on Saturday. Ryan Fredericks returned at right back in place of Emilo Nsue who dropped to the bench, he was joined by Wildschut and Adam Reach with Albert Adomah returning on the right and Lee Tomlin in behind the striker. That meant Bamford moved out to the left with Kike upfront.

Norwich were unchanged from the side which won 2-1 at home to Bolton last time out, Cameron Jerome scored twice in that game and remained the lone frontman. Ex-Boro midfielder Gary O’Neil also started in the centre of midfield.

Nevertheless the hosts were in front inside five minutes, following an energetic start. Kike released Adomah down the left channel, from there the Ghanaian international picked out Bamford in the Norwich box, who managed to steer his low header beyond Ruddy.    

The goal came just after Boro right back Ryan Fredericks had fired over the bar from the edge of the area, however in the following exchanges it was Norwich who created the better openings

Nathan Redmond was particularly lively on the visitors left, with 9 minutes gone he cut inside to shoot but Daniel Ayala was on hand to block to effort. The pressure didn’t stop there, and Norwich continued to press high up the pitch, pinning Boro back.

O’Neil came closest to levelling the scoring on 12 minutes when he played a neat give and go on the edge of the Boro box, the resulting shot forced Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopulos to make a low save. Jerome and Kyle Lafferty also had chances but were wasteful and off target.

Boro battled on, and when the chance to launch a counter attack arose they took it. Kike was again involved, this time finding Friend on the overlap in the visitor’s box; he appeared to be going nowhere when he tangled with Martin but referee Nigel Miller pointed to the spot and Leadbitter coolly converted.  

Two could have become three before half time with Boro now on top. The best of the chances fell to Kike whose close range shot was blocked; nevertheless the home fans were more than grateful for a 2-0 advantage at half time.

A tactical chance at the break saw Adams bring on Gary Hooper for Alex Tettey switching to a 4-4-2. It wasn’t long before Karanka responded three minutes after the restart with the introduction of Reach who replaced Adomah.

The next goal was significant, but after the interval it appeared the canaries’ energy had deserted them. Jerome fired wide again for the visitors, at the other end Ayala headed Reach’s cross over the bar.

It was at that point Boro stepped up proceedings, Leadbitter’s long range effort brushed the side netting before a cleared Boro corner fell to Fredericks on the edge of the box, the full back’s low effort required Ruddy to turn the shot wide.

On 69 minutes Boro made the decisive move. Karanka had just brought on Wildschut in place of Kike and Norwich were still readjusting. Then came the moment of real quality for Boro’s third, a delicate ball from Tomlin over the Norwich defence picked out Leadbitter ,who had broken from midfield, the Boro skipper’s looping header caught Ruddy in no-man’s land and put a seal on the result.

The icing on the cake would have been a first Boro goal for Jelle Vossen who replaced Bamford with 15 minutes to go. Boro’s fourth came ten minutes later when Ruddy dropped Leadbitter’s corner and Wildschut poked the ball home.

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopulos   8- Not overly tested but made key saves when he had to and was comfortable when coming for crosses     

George Friend   8- Stayed disciplined defensively and added option going forward

Ben Gibson   7- Overall solid, gave a few long balls away in the first half

Daniel Ayala   7.5- Boro’s first choice centre half barely put a foot wrong

Ryan Fredericks   7.5- His consistent performances are becoming expected another strong display

Adam Clayton   7.5- Looked to be struggling in the first half but became Boro’s unsung hero working hard in midfield

Grant Leadbitter   9- Fought for control in midfield and never let it go, two goals were a fitting reward 

Albert Adomah   6.5- Played major role in the first goal, subbed after half time

Patrick Bamford   8- Added third league goal of the season, movement was a problem for Norwich

Lee Tomlin   7.5- possessed moments of magic in the final third which helped unlock the Norwich backline

Kike   7- Battled well against the Norwich centre backs but missed a few opportunities

Subs

Adam Reach   7- disciplined performance after coming on after half time

Yanic Wildchut   7- Scored second goal in as many games and added pace on the wing

Jelle Vossen - Came on with 15 minutes to go, not enough time to give a fair rating 

 

My Boro Man Of The Match: Grant Leadbitter

Honours Even

Middlesbrough    1        Watford    1

   Kike  49                                                      Deeney  60

 

 

There are two ways Aitor Karanka could view Middlesbrough’s 1-1 draw against Watford, but whether the Spaniard decides to praise the team who were good value for their 1-0 lead, or criticize the side that surrendered it will be an interesting dilemma.     

After taking a deserved lead through Kike’s finish minutes after half time, Boro could count themselves fortunate to escape with a point after substitute Troy Deeney levelled the score. That was followed by a frantic few minutes in which the visitors hit the post and forced Boro keeper Dimi Konstantopulos to make a fingertip save.  



Troy Deeney rescues a point for Watford  

Nonetheless in the overall assessment both managers should see this as a valuable point gained in what is shaping up to be a tight Championship season. Watford remain second only behind leaders Derby on goal difference, Boro may have slipped from third to fifth however they still sit just two points away from the top spot.

Karanka made four changes from the Boro side which lost 2-0 at Wolves in mid-week, captain Grant Leadbitter was suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season so Adam Clayton took his place in midfield. Elsewhere Kike, Lee Tomlin and Ben Gibson all returned as Jelle Vossen, Adam Reach and Kenneth Omeruo dropped to the bench.

Watford were forced to make a change minutes before kick off after goalkeeper  Heurelho Gomes was injured in the warm up, Jonathan Bond was his replacement. The visitors only other change from their 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest last time out saw Almen Abdi make way for Ikechi Anya.

In the opening exchanges it took Boro a while to adjust to the visitor’s flexible system which appeared to flicker from a 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2, there were even signs of the traditional 4-4-2, with minimum fuss.

However it wasn’t long before Boro found their rhythm and began to pick holes in the visitors’ formation, not least down the left hand side where George Friend was finding acres of space and being allowed to cross in dangerous areas.

The visitors came close when Dániel Tozser’s low shot was deflected wide, however that aside it was Boro who were creating the majority of chances, with Patrick Bamford and Albert Adomah having shots blocked before Friend’s low drive was turned goal bound by Kike forcing Bond into an instinctive save.

Friend continued to be Boro’s main outlet on the left and regularly had the beating of Watford full back Juan Carlos Paredes, with half an hour gone the Boro man flashed a low cross along the penalty area but it lacked a finishing touch, moments later his cross was met by Kike who headed over.

Watford didn’t threaten again until the 33^rd minute when Matej Vydra weaved his way into a shooting position and struck a low effort which required Konstantopulos to react quickly and turn it round the post.

After the break Boro appeared to pick up where they left off and continued to find joy in wide areas. This time it was the other full back Ryan Fredericks whose shot was just off target after some clever play on the edge of the visitors’ box.

Nevertheless Boro went ahead on 49 minutes. Fredericks was again involved cutting inside to find Adam Clayton, who then released Bamford in the left hand side of the Watford penalty area, finally he squared the ball to Kike and the Spanish striker made no mistake in tucking the ball home from close range.

One could have quickly become two when Bamford’s good work left him through on goal however his shot was straight at Bond. Minutes later the hosts were nearly made to pay when a ball into their own penalty was only half cleared, however on the rebound Vydra’s shot sailed over the bar.

Despite that let off Boro appeared to have lost confidence and were gradually being forced back towards their own goal. With an hour gone they paid the price when Anya picked up possession in a dangerous position on the left, his cut back found substitute Deeney who dispatched the chance first time.

Six minutes later Keith Andrews, another Watford sub, had a shot blocked for a corner, two minutes after that centre back Joel Ekstrand flicked a header onto Konstantopulos’ far post as Boro hung on.

Karanka introduced Reach and Vossen late on but neither side could snatch a winner, Fredericks’ cross picked out Kike who failed to hit the target before an ambitious volley from Tomlin was deflected wide. At the other end Tozser’s low free kick had to be pushed wide by the fingertips of Konstantopulos. In the end a draw was probably a fair result.  

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopulos   7- Could do little about the goal and made some important saves when required

George Friend   8- Got forward to good effect in the first half and was Boro’s main outlet

Ben Gibson   6- At times a little indecisive when clearing the ball

Daniel Ayala   6.5- Has become Boro’s first choice centre half and living up to it

Ryan Fredericks   7.5- Found more space in the second half and exploited it well

Dean Whitehead   6.5- Shielded the back four, dropped a little deep after Boro’s goal

Adam Clayton   6.5- Battled hard in congested midfield, played a few probing passes   

Albert Adomah   6- Didn’t have a major impact on the game, had to spend most of time helping in the middle of midfield   

Patrick Bamford   6.5- Made a few intelligent runs and set up the goal

Lee Tomlin   6.5- Dropped deep on a number of occasions and played some decent balls forward

Kike   6.5- Took chance for the goal but passed up a few opportunities

Subs

Adam Reach   6.5- Provided extra energy with 18 minutes to go

Jelle Vossen – Only on for the last 8 minutes not enough time to give a fair rating

My Boro Man Of The Match : George Friend