Boro Keep On Winning

Middlesbrough are finally setting the records straight against their so called boggy team this season. After shaking off their away hoodoos at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest they have finally conquered the challenge of Leeds, a side they had beaten just once in their last seven meetings.

David Nugent celebrates scoring Boro's opener

In the end it was comfortable as Boro solidified a place in the Championship’s top two with a 3-0 victory. It’s a result which moves them five points clear of third place Reading and just a point behind league leaders Brighton.

The most satisfying thing for manager Aitor Karanka is that the goals which are coming at a premium. Boro are now the highest scorers in the division with 17 goals add that to a defence which conceded the least amount of goals last season and you’re left with a winning combination.

Upfront David Nugent has become a quality asset who is prepared to work his socks off and chase down lost causes. It was his goal after three minutes which opened the scoring here, before Leeds defender Giuseppe Bellusci scored an own goal and visiting captain Sol Bamba slipped and allowed Diego Fabbrini to add a third nine minutes from time.

In all honesty 3-0 probably flattered a Boro side who weren’t as free flowing and dominant as the score line suggests. In fact it was the centre backs Daniel Ayala and Fernando Amorebieta plus holding midfielder Adam Clayton who really impressed, as the hosts spent a majority of the second half defending their lead.

Leeds manager Uwe expressed his frustration after the game following Mirco Antenucci disallowed goal when the score was 2-0.  "It was the turning point in the game. You can't even be sure watching on TV” said the Leeds boss after the game.

Leeds made five changes from their victory over MK Dons last weekend as Chris Wood, Sam Byram, Luke Murphy, Scott Wootton and Liam Cooper missed out. Their replacements included Tom Adeyemi in midfield with Bellusci and Gaetano Berardi starting in defence. There was a debut for new signing Jordan Botaka while Antenucci started upfront.

After a Capital One victory over Wolves in mid-week Karanka made a number of changes to his side, however there were only two alterations from their last league meeting at Nottingham Forest.  Tomas Kalas replaced Emilio Nsue at right back and Amorebieta came in for Ben Gibson at centre half.

The stage was set thanks to a bumper crowd of 27,694 of that 2,652 made the trip from Leeds to generate an animated atmosphere. But it was Boro who sent the home fans into raptures after just three minutes.

Christian Stuani, who like at Forest started on the right, made an offensive run down the channel where he twisted and turned leaving full back Charlie Taylor in knots. When the Uruguayan did deliver the cross it was accurate and true. It found Nugent in the middle and with Leeds defenders around him the striker turned unchallenged and riffled the ball into the top of the net.

Boro had started with intensity and prowess and nearly doubled their lead seven minutes later. Albert Adomah charged down the left before delivering a teasing cross which took a huge deflection towards goal off Bamba. However the Leeds captain was saved from any blushes due to a spectacular save from keeper Marco Silvestri who palmed the ball to safety.

Bamba may have avoided the embarrassment of an own goal but the same couldn’t be said for his centre back partner Bellusci on 32 minutes. Once again the service came from the left, this time from George Friend, and was met by the Italian defender who turned the ball into his own net with an outstretched diving header.

The visitors had threatened to draw level before that point with the best chance falling to Antenucci on 18 minutes. But after neat move the forward’s shot was tame and straight at Dimi Konstantopulos.

The game had to be stopped when Leeds midfielder Alex Mowatt collided with Amorebieta and needed treatment for a head injury. He returned with a bandage around his head and appeared more determined to score, however his low shot from distance bobbled wide.  

The hosts nearly added a third before half time when Stuani attempted an audacious overhead kick which sailed over. The Uruguayan then turned provider when he nearly set up Adomah after the break, the forward was then replaced minutes later following his yellow card in the first half.

Leeds began to see more and more of the ball as Boro allowed themselves to be pinned back inside their own half. Once again it was Mowatt who looked the most likely to score, his free kick after 52 minutes was veering towards the top corner before Konstantopulos clawed it out.

Then came the moment of controversy. Beradi’s shot was deflected kindly into Antenucci’s path and the striker tucked the ball beyond Kontantopulos prompting celebrations from the Leeds fans. The linesman’s flag wasn’t initially raised but after a discussion with the referee the goal was chalked off.

Boro continued to do the majority of the defending while Nugent working tirelessly upfront on his own. With nine minutes to go they were rewarded when Bamba hesitated on the ball and slipped allowing substitute Diego Fabbrini capitalise. After rounding the keeper the Italian added a third goal for his side meaning Boro have won their last seven games in all competitions.   

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopulos   7.5- Very dependable and had to make a couple of good saves

Tomas Kalas   7.5- Disciplined at right back and saw out his defensive duties very well

Daniel Ayala   8- Won header after header in the first half as he dominated in the air

Fernando Amorebieta   8- Dominated at the back and read the game well, on this form he could become a regular

George Friend   6.5- Gave the ball away a couple of times, a little off his usual high standards

Adam Clayton   8- Shielded the back four excellently and broke up play in the middle of the park

Grant Leadbitter   6- Far from his best game in a Boro shirt, gave away position on a couple of occasions

Albert Adomah   7- Looked dangerous on the left in the first half but faded a little after the break

Christian Stuani   6.5- Started well, put a shift in and provided a good cross for the opener, subbed after half time following his booking

Stewart Downing   6- Struggled to have a major impact playing behind the striker, before he was moved to the left

David Nugent   8- Worked tirelessly upfront after scoring the opener. Chased lost cause after lost cause

Subs

Diego Fabbrini   6- Offered Nugent little support after coming on, but took his goal very well

Emilio Nsue – Came on with 14 minutes to go, not enough time to give a fair rating

Adam Forshaw- Came on with 4 minutes to go, not enough time to give a fair rating

My Boro Man Of The Match: Daniel Ayala