Carroll Double Sinks Boro

Middlesbrough   1    West Ham   3

Stuani  27                                                Carroll  9, 45

                                                                Calleri  90

Middlesbrough missed an opportunity to sneak away from the clutches of relegation zone after a 3-1 home defeat to West Ham.

Two goals from Hammers striker Andy Carroll, either side of Cristhian Stuani’s equaliser, inflicted the damage on Aitor Karanka’s as Boro’s winless run was extended to five games.

The hosts dominated possession after the interval but were unable to make a breakthrough before substitute Jonathan Calleri added a third in stoppage time.

Karanka threw on January recruits Rudy Gestede and Patrick Bamford with ten minutes to go, however it proved too little too late on a miserable day at the Riverside.

Boro’s shyness in front of goal has been well documented in recent weeks and they remain the lowest scorers in the division with just 18 goals.

For all their possession, they managed just two shots on target here, and there were long spells of sideways and backwards passing - much to the frustration of the home fans.

Yet, the worrying thing for Karanka will be how his side conceded three goals for only the third time this season.

Boro’s often sturdy backline was breached after just nine minutes when Manuel Lanzini’s corner was powerfully headed home by Carroll, who had been presented with a clear run at goal inside the host’s penalty area.

Karanka had made two changes from the side which played out the goalless draw at Watford last weekend, yet more significantly the Boro boss switched back to his preferred 4-3-3 formation which he has deployed for most of the campaign.

Calum Chambers was moved across to right back while Ben Gibson and Bernardo Espinosa started in the heart of defence.

That meant Fabio dropped to the bench along with captain Grant Leadbitter, as Adam Clayton and Adama Traore were recalled.

Slaven Bilic made just one alteration after West Ham’s 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace, it saw Sam Byram replace James Collins in defence.

Boro had looked vulnerable down their right-hand side, where the chemistry between Traore and Chambers was clearly lacking when the hosts were defending.

However, the pair combined well to create Boro’s equaliser on 27 minutes, when Traore released the overlapping Chambers, who then had time to pick out Stuani at the back post, before the Uruguayan forward duly converted from close range.

The hosts had momentum after that, however brief lapse in concentration proved fatal two minutes before half time.

Michail Antonio’s skimming shot from the edge of the area was only parried by Boro keeper Victor Valdes and Carroll was the quickest to react, stabbing the ball into an unguarded net.

Valdes perhaps could have done better but the goal scorer was alert and earned his reward.

Boro attempted to go on the attack after the break, however they were disrupted when West Ham captain Mark Noble was forced off injured and replaced by Edimilson Fernandes.

The visitors almost doubled their lead when Antonio headed wide before Lanzini fired an effort straight at Valdes moments later.

At the other end Marten De Roon forced the Hammers keeper Darren Randolph into a flying save following Traore’s cross from the right.

Karanka’s side continued to push forward but when Alvaro Negredo’s cut-back deflected off West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell and on to the crossbar, you got the feeling that it just wasn’t going to be Boro’s day.

With ten minutes to go Karanka finally called for the cavalry by introducing Bamford, who received a warm welcome, and Gestede.

It was the latter who almost drew Boro level with a spectacular volley which flew inches wide two minutes from time.

Boro were then undone on the counter attack when Calleri sealed the victory in stoppage time, prompting the fans to head for the exits.

Player Ratings

Victor Valdes   5- Possibly could have done better with the second goal which he parred in front of Carroll.

Calum Chambers   6.5- Looked good going forward but a little vulnerable defensively at right back.

Bernardo Espinosa   6- Made a few important interceptions but his distribution let him down at times.

Ben Gibson   6.5- Organised the defence throughout

George Friend   7- Threw himself into areal duels with Carroll and often came out on top.

Adam Clayton   6- Gave protection to the back four but made a few loose passes.

Marten De Roon   7- Full of energy, making tackles and interceptions in the middle of the park.

Adam Forshaw   6- A few too many touches on the ball as Boro struggled to break West Ham down.

Adama Traore   6- Some good bursts forward but faded in the second half and often received the ball in areas too deep to make an impact.

Cristhian Stuani   7- Showed good instinct to score the goal, looked to get in the box and add an extra goal threat.

Alvaro Negredo   6- Often received the ball with his back to goal, a couple of clever flicks to link up play.

Subs

Patrick Bamford – Came on with 10 minutes to go, not enough time to give a fair rating.

Rudy Gestede - Came on with nine minutes to go, not enough time to give a fair rating.

Boro Hang On To Take A Point At Watford

Watford   0    Middlesbrough   0

Watford were left to rue a series of second half chances as they were held to a goalless draw with Middlesbrough at Vicarage Road.

Walter Mazzarri’s side have now gone six games without a win and have picked up just two points since their victory over Everton at the start of December.

They should have stopped the rot here, however, against a Boro side who offered little going forward and showed just why they are the lowest scorers in the division.

In the end Aitor Karanka will be more than happy with a point, especially with back-to-back home games against West Ham and West Brom up next.

The visitors more than rode their luck in the final few minutes against the Hornets, as substitute Tom Cleverley hit the post with 10 minutes to go.

Moments later captain Troy Deeney wasted an even better opportunity when he was sent through one-on-one with Victor Valdes- only for the Boro keeper to come out on top.

Karanka throw a curveball with his team selection, as the Boro boss elected to deploy a 5-3-2 formation for the first time this season.

The Spaniard made four changes from the side which conquered Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup last weekend, with Victor Valdes, Fabio, Ben Gibson, and Adam Forshaw all returning.

Watford manager Walter Mazzarri also made alterations after his side’s 2-0 victory over Burton in the cup.

The hosts also lined up in a 5-3-2 formation, though they have played that way for most of the campaign.

Stefano Okaka returned from a hamstring injury and the Italian international was a constant thorn in Boro’s side all afternoon.

The visitors started on the front foot, maintaining possession for long spells and keeping Watford at arm’s length.

The first chance fell to the Hornets, though, when the ball ricocheted off Boro defender Calum Chambers and fell perfectly for Étienne Capoue.

The French midfielder only had Valdes to beat however the Boro keeper did well to spread himself and managed to avert the danger.

Boro’s change in formation allowed Karanka to deploy two upfront, as Alvaro Negredo and Christian Stuani led the line.

The pair nearly combined to conjure up the game’s first goal, when Negredo nodded down Grant Leadbitter’s cross and Stuani stabbed the ball home. However, the Uruguayan striker had strayed into an offside position.

After that it was Watford who began to take the game by the scruff of the neck, as Boro struggled to cope with the floated balls up to the towering figures of Okaka and Deeney.

Valdes was called into action again to deny Okaka on 26 minutes. Moments later, Chambers was forced to make a crucial clearance which would have presented Abdoulaye Doucoure with a tap-in.

Both sides went close in the first five minutes of the second half, as Okaka tested Valdes again before Fabio stung the palms of Heurelho Gomes at the other end.

In the 72^nd minute there was a minutes applause for the former Watford and England manager Graham Taylor, who passed away at the age of 72 earlier this week.

In the closing stages, there only looked like being one winner as Watford piled on the pressure.

Cleverley, who was making his first appearance for Watford since signing on loan, came off the bench and almost made an instant impact when he slid a shot against the post from Deeney’s flick-on.

The Watford captain could have won it himself when Boro defenders Chambers and Ben Gibson collided, allowing Deeney to go through on goal against Valdes.

Once again Boro were indebted to their valiant keeper. It was only because of him that they escaped with a point.

Watford v Middlesbrough Preview

Middlesbrough will switch their attentions back to the Premier League on Saturday afternoon for a pivotal ‘six pointer’ away to Watford.

Aitor Karanka’s side are just three points behind the Hornets, who have picked up just one point in their last five league games and have plummeted down the table after a promising start to the campaign.

A victory for Boro would send them above Watford in the table due to a superior goal difference, as well as mount more manager on their manager Walter Mazzarri, who became the Hornets’ eighth manager in the space of four years when he was appointed in the summer.

Even so Karanka is taking nothing for granted ahead of a crucial game, especially after Watford beat Boro in the reverse fixture at the Riverside back in October.

“Sometimes, they can be more dangerous because they need the points,” said the Boro boss.

“They are playing at home, and they are an experienced Premier League team with an experienced coach and players who have played across Europe,” he added.

“If we go to Watford thinking it will be an easy game because they are vulnerable, then we are making a mistake. If we think about ourselves, we can do something.”

Team News

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes and winger Viktor Fischer could return to the Boro side after overcoming knee injuries.

However right back Antonio Barragan and midfielder Gaston Ramirez have both been ruled out.

Centre back Daniel Ayala will serve the first of his three-game ban after receiving a straight red card against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup last weekend.

Watford could welcome back Juan Zuniga, Valon Behrami and Stefano Okaka after the trio missed games over the busy Christmas period.

Keeper Heurelho Gomes and defender Jose Holebas are available again after recovering from illnesses.

The Opposition

Watford’s last win came on December 10, when a 3-2 victory at home to Everton moved Walter Mazzarri’s side up to seventh in the table.

The Hornets’ strong start to the campaign came as something of a shock to some, after they appointed another foreign manager with little Premier League experience in the summer.

Yet Mazzarri - Watford’s eight manager in the space of four years - made an admirable start in England and within a month his side had recorded a memorable home victory over Manchester United.

That remains the highlight of their season so far, and in recent weeks the men in yellow have found things a little trickier.

Since the Everton result, Mazzarri’s side have lost away at Sunderland, been held at home to Crystal Palace, been hammered by Tottenham and crumbled at Stoke.

After picking up just one point in five games, Watford have dropped down to 14^th in the league and if their form doesn’t improve soon they could quickly be dragged into a relegation battle.

One To Watch

Stefano Okaka

After signing for Watford in the summer, Okaka has struggled to nail down a first team place at Vicarage Road due to several injuries.

However, the Italian international did score his first two goals for the Hornets in the 3-2 victory over Everton on December 10.

He is quick, strong and can be a constant pest for defenders, so Boro must keep an eye on him if he plays.

Last Time Out

Middlesbrough 0 Watford 1 16/10/2016

Jose Holebas’ stunning strike was the difference when the sides met at the Riverside earlier this season.

The Greek defender produced a rare piece of quality on a dreary Sunday afternoon, when his fizzing effort ten minutes after the restart flew into the top corner.

The hosts never really looked like equalising after that, as Aitor Karanka’s side dropped down to 17^th in the table.

Two Late Goals Deny Boro At Old Trafford

Middlesbrough came within five minutes of a memorable victory away at Manchester United only to be denied by two late goals.

Like against Arsenal and Manchester earlier in the campaign, Boro showed they can be more than a match for the Premier League’s elite and Aitor Karanka’s side moved to the brink of famous victory when Grant Leadbitter gave the visitors a shock lead on 67 minutes.

Yet after a series of near misses, a disallowed goal, and a catalogue of saves from Boro goalkeeper Victor Valdes, United finally made a breakthrough courtesy of Anthony Martial’s finish five minutes from time.

Less than 60 seconds later the hosts scored a dramatic second when Paul Pogba headed home Juan Mata’s cross, flipping the contest on its head.

It meant a sixth straight win for Jose Mourinho’s side and the United boss was full of praise for his former protégée, Karanka, who was the Portuguese’s assistant for three years at Real Madrid.

Karanka had vowed to make changes to his side, in an attempt to stifle his former mentor.

The Spaniard certainly shocked a few with his team selection, as centre back Bernardo Espinosa was drafted in to make his debut while Leadbitter made his first start of the season after a lengthy injury.

Boro rode their luck early on, as Pogba saw an audacious overhead kick rebound off the post before Martial clattered the woodwork minutes later.

United should have taken the lead when Zlatan Ibrahimović stabbed the ball beyond Valdes midway through the first half, however referee Lee Mason wrongly disallowed the goal for a high boot.

Boro defended valiantly and took their chance when Leadbitter broke forward from midfield before slotting home a clever knock-down from Alvaro Negredo.

However, as the visitor’s legs began to tire, United continued to probe and press with increasingly urgency.

In the 85^th minute a penetrating pass from Pogba was headed into Martial’s path by Ibrahimović and the Frenchman made no mistake from close range.

Moments later Pogba became the match winner, as Boro’s hearts were broken.

Manchester United v Middlsbrough Preview

Aitor Karanka will come up against his old mentor José Mourinho when Middlesbrough travel to Manchester United on New Year’s Eve.

The Boro manager was Mourniho’s assistant for three years at Real Madrid but this is the first time that they will have faced each other as managers.

Karanka, who earned his first managerial job on Teesside three years ago, admitted that he is looking forward to facing his old master but said ‘for 90 minutes’ the pair must put their friendship to one side.

“The first game I looked for was the first game of the season, because it was our debut back in the Premier League,” said the Spaniard.

“But the second one was Man United. It will be a special moment for me and for my players.”

Karanka has always spoken extremely highly about Mourinho, who was appointed at Old Trafford in the summer following his departure from Chelsea.

“For me, I spent three amazing years with Jose at Real Madrid and I learnt something from him every day. He is one of the best in the world,” added Karanka

“But it’s football and the points are really important for us. For those 90 minutes, you can’t be friends.”

Even so, the Boro boss will still share a drink with his old friend after the match.

“We will share a glass of wine or beer after the game, but no doubt one of us will be happier than the other.”

Team News

Boro defender Antonio Barragan will miss his first game of the season after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Burnley.

That could mean a recall for George Friend who returned to training a couple of weeks ago.

Viktor Fischer remains out with a knee injury, which the Dane sustained before Christmas.

Wayne Rooney missed United’s victory over Sunderland on Boxing Day and remains a doubt with a thigh injury.

Luke Shaw will also be absent, though Mourinho revealed that the defender is "not far" away from a return.

The Opposition

United have clawed their way back into contention for a Champions League spot after a run of five victories in a row.

Things didn’t go to plan for Mourinho earlier in the season, after United lost the Manchester derby which was immediately followed by a shock defeat to Watford.

A couple of weeks later, Mourniho was humbled by his former side Chelsea, who trounced United 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.

However, Mourinho is too good a manager and United too many good players to remain in a slump for the whole campaign.

Their switch to a 4-3-3 system, which has seen Michael Carrick return in midfield, has yielded more from record signing Paul Pogba, who has registered one goal and two assists in his last three games.

United have also tightened up their leaky defence, with Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo forming an unlikely partnership at the back.

One To Watch

At 35, Ibrahimovic remains one of the hottest strikers in Europe and his goal in the 3-1 victory over Sunderland on Boxing Day took his league tally up to 12.

The potent Swede has scored four in his last three games and, with players behind him beginning to click, he is bound to bag a lot more this campaign.

Last Time Out

Manchester United 0 Middlesbrough 0 (1-3 on penalties) – 28/10/2016

Boro recorded a memorable upset when they visited Old Trafford last year, as they knocked Louis van Gaal’s side out of the League Cup.

Aitor Karanka’s men matched their hosts for 120 minutes before the game went to penalties in front of 10,000 traveling Boro fans.

Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young all missed, sending Boro through to the quarter-finals.

Late Gray Volley Sinks Boro

Burnley    1    Middlesbrough    0

                                      Gray 80

Middlesbrough were undone by a late Andre Gray volley as they suffered a 1-0 defeat away at Burnley on Boxing Day.

In a game which lacked obvious quality, referee Craig Pawson dished out 11 yellow cards in a match with saw more tackles than attempts on goal.

Even so, Boro appeared to be heading for an admirable point in the first top flight meeting between the sides for over 40 years.

That was until Gray’s winner 10 minutes from time, when the striker fired home Sam Vokes’ knock-down and the ball squired under Boro goalkeeper Victor Valdes – who should have done better.

The result means that Sean Dyche’s side have leapfrogged Boro in the Premier League table, yet Karanka’s men are still four points clear of the relegation zone.

The Boro boss made just one change from the side which convincingly beat Swansea at the Riverside eight days earlier, it saw  Cristhian Stuani replace the injured Viktor Fischer.

It was almost turned into an inspired decision and Stuani should have opened the scoring
with just 12 minutes on the clock.

The Uraguian forward was sent through on goal by Antonio Barragan’s pass. Stuani then allowed the ball to bounce before striking a shot on the half volley, however he failed to hit the target.

At the other end Valdes had to be alert to keep out efforts from Ashley Barnes and George Boyd but neither side was able to wrestle full control.

Boro did start better after the break, though keeper Tom Heaton remained relatively untrobled.

The visitors registered their first shot on target after 60 minutes when Ramirez curled a free kick straght at Heaton.

However, Burnley delivered a late sucker punch though Gray’s strike, as Boro slipped down to 15^th in the table.

Burnley v Middlesbrough Preview

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka is looking forward to facing another ‘direct rival’ when his side travel to Burnley on Boxing Day.

Boro moved up to 14^th in the table after beating Swansea last weekend, however the Teessiders are still just one point ahead of the Clarets, who sit two places behind Boro in the Premier League table.

The trip to Turf Moor will be Boro’s first game in a busy Christmas schedule, which will see Karanka’s men play three games in the space of eight days.

However, the Spaniard insists that his players are ready for the week ahead.

“This week has been a normal week, we’ve had more days to prepare after the last game (against Swansea) and everything is better.”

Karanka described the 3-0 victory over the Swans as his side’s “worst performance of the season” in his post-match press conference but the Spaniard believes that his side’s experience delivered a positive result.

“The main thing is to have that experience (in the Premier League), like against Swansea we weren’t at our best but we won the game.”

“In September or October we would have lost that game,” he added.

Team News

Boro will be without Viktor Fischer, who has started the last four games, after the Danish international suffered a knee injury against Swansea.

Karanka confirmed the winger will be side-lined for the next “two or three weeks.”

Burnley don’t have any fresh injury concerns ahead of their Christmas schedule.

Sean Dyche’s side will be without fullback  Matt Lowton, though, after the defender picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Tottenham.

The Opposition

Since their promotion to the Premier League, Burnley have relied significantly on their home form to stay away from the bottom three.

Sean Dyche’s side have accumulated 17 points after 17 games, one less than Boro, however 16 of those have come at Turf Moor.

Their only defeats on home turf have come against Arsenal and Manchester City, yet the Clarets dismal away form has left them just three points above the relegation zone.

Goals have been hard to come by for the Clarets, who have scored just 16 goals all campaign, that is the same number as Boro. Only Hull have registered less in the top flight.

Dyche’s side have dropped to 16^th in the table after back-to-back defeats to West Ham and Tottenham. Their last win came on 10 December when they recorded a significant 3-2 victory over Bournemouth.

One To Watch

Michael Keane

Keane earned his first England call up back in October and many have tipped the 23-year-old defender to make a permanent step-up to the national side.

Like Boro centre-half Ben Gibson, Keane has played all 17 league games since his side’s promotion to the Premier and the defender hasn’t looked out of place in England’s top flight.

Keane has made 143 clearances and 27 blocks in the first half of the campaign. He also chipped in with a goal in the Clarets 2-0 victory over Watford back in September.

Last Time Out

Burnley 1 Middlesbrough 1

Michael Keane’s header in injury-time rescued a point for Burnley when the sides met in a promotion six-pointer back in April.

A win for Boro would have put Aitor Karanka’s side within touching distance of promotion, and the visitors opened the scoring thanks to Jordan Rhode’s 70^th minute finish.

However, Keane’s late equaliser left the promotion race in the balance with three Championship games to go.

In the end both teams were promoted automatically.

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

 I would make two changes from the 3-0 victory over Swansea. Viktor Fischer is injured so I would bring in Adama Traore, who provides pace and directness going forward.

As well as Fabio has done at left back, if George Friend is fully fit I would bring him back into the side after his excellent performances earlier in the season.