Middlesbrough 2 Wolves 1
Ramirez 26, 56 Gibson (OG) 89
In January the talk on Teesside was all about Jordan Rhodes,
yet it is Middlesbrough’s other new arrival who has hit the ground running.
Gaston Ramirez scored twice as Boro moved back to the top of
the Championship with a 2-1 victory over Wolves at the Riverside. That is now
three goals in six games for the Uruguayan international, who has been an
instant hit in the second tier.
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| Gaston Ramirez celebrates his second goal (Picture from The Guardian) |
For Rhodes this was another frustrating night and for now
his first goal at the Riverside still eludes him. That’s not down to a lack of
effort. The highly rated striker made constant runs off the last defender and
put in a tireless shift for the full 90 minutes, yet nothing seemed to drop.
It could be argued that Rhodes’ presence paved the way for
teammates like Ramirez to show their worth. Boro’s opener on 24 minutes came
when Adam Clayton’s inviting cross was met by the Uruguayan who had arrived in the
box undetected.
His second 11 minutes into the second half was even better -
Ramirez twisted and turned around the Wolves defenders inside their own area
before curling a right foot shot over Carl Ikeme, which then nestled into the
bottom right corner.
Boro had been the dominant force up until the 88th
minute, but were made to sweat with two minutes remaining when Ben Gibson
turned the ball into his own net from Matt Doherty's cross.
It didn’t alter the outcome, and Boro fans can now enjoy
their Saturday afternoon knowing that with 12 games to go their side lines up
in pole position in the end of season race for promotion.
Burnley could retrieve the top spot if they win away at home
to Blackburn in today’s 3:00pm kick-off, but they will still have played a game
more.
Even so, if Boro are to get the job done they need to focus
on their own strengths and can’t rely on the frailties of others. This was
evidence of sheer talent that can be released when their renowned players are
on song. In truth a 2-1 victory undermined a productive night’s work.
Albert Adomah has looked like a player transformed since he
was dropped and brought off the bench against Leeds a couple of weeks ago.
Since then the Ghanaian international has been magnificent in games against
Cardiff and Fulham and it was the same again here.
He closed the ball down sharply and delivered a number of
appealing crosses, which on another day could have been converted. Adomah’s
link up play with George Friend on the left flank produced one of Boro’s major
weapons and they used it to good effect.
Elsewhere Adam Forshaw continued his good run of form in
midfield where he lined up alongside Adam Clayton, due to an injury to Grant
Leadbitter.
Emilio Nsue returned to the side after being left on the
bench against Blackburn in mid-week. The right back form Equatorial Guinia has
been so influential this season that Boro fans have even created a new chant
for him and they were in good voice once again.
The hosts almost opened the scoring in the very first minute
when Ramirez engineered a clever flick to set up Adomah inside the area, but he
rolled his shot past the far post.
Adomah tried his luck again from further out minutes later
but couldn’t connect with the ball well enough to steer his shot on target.
Tomas Kalas was the next to try when he drifted forward from centre half and
bent an effort wide of the target, which Ikeme appeared to have covered.
Boro took the lead mid-way through the first half when
Clayton kept an attack alive by curling a defence-splitting cross into the
area. At that point Ramirez had already begun his run towards goal, he was
therefore unmarked when the ball arrived and steered a low diving header beyond
Ikeme.
Ramirez then set up Rhodes minutes later but the striker’s
header was blocked and deflected wide for a corner. Rhodes must have thought he
had doubled Boro’s lead just seconds after half time. He leapt well to head
Adomah’s cross towards goal, but Ikeme tipped the ball over the bar at full
stretch.
It wasn’t long before Boro had their second, though
Ramirez’s persistence and skill. With his back to goal he turned and stroked
the ball over Ikeme, while keeping the Wolves defenders at bay in the process.
It was the type of quality in front of goal which Boro have lacked at times
this campaign. Ramirez will be expected to produce them on a regular basis from
now on.
That goal came seconds before the 57th minute
which Boro fans once again used to mark the passing of their famous commentator
Ali Brownlee, who died aged 57 last month.
‘One Ali Brownlee, there’s only one Ali Brownlee’ they sang again and
again.
Wolves continued to huff and puff but struggled to get a
clear run at the Boro defence. Rhodes was presented with another opportunity
when Forshaw released the striker, however he was thwarted by Ikeme, who
reacted well and was quick off his line.
The visitors reduced the deficit late on when Doherty’s
cross was headed towards his own goal by Gibson and Dimi Konstantopulos
couldn’t’ keep it out. The Boro keeper had little to do up until that point and
Boro deserved their victory.
Player Ratings
Dimi Konstantopulos
7- Had little to do, assured when coming for crosses
Emilio Nsue 7.5 –
Constant threat down the right on return to the side
Ben Gibson 6- Unfortunate
own goal late on
Tomas Kalas 6.5-
Part of a defence that was protected well
George Friend 7.5-
Linked up well with Adomah and defended astutely
Adam Clayton
7.5-Quietly went about his business in front of the back four
Adam Forshaw 8-
Always looks forward when he receives the ball
Albert Adomah 8.5-
Was shattered by the end, was relentless on the left flank
Cristhian Stuani 6-
Went missing too often on the right
Gaston Ramirez 9-
The quality Boro have been missing up front, 2 goals great all round display
Jordan Rhodes 6.5-
Getting in the right areas but still lacking a bit of sharpness (or luck). It
should come soon enough
Subs
Julian De Sart – Only came on for the last three minutes,
unfair to give a fair rating
My Boro Man Of The Match: Gaston Ramirez
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