Middlesbrough v Burnley Preview

Aitor Karanka has a big decision to make ahead of tonight’s Championship fixture against fellow high-flyers Burnley.

David Nugent’s red card against Birmingham on Saturday means Middlesbrough’s first choice striker will now serve a three match ban and miss crucial games over the Christmas period.

In Nugent’s absence Karanka must decide whether to recall the low on confidence Kike or move Christian Stuani into the middle from the right, where the Uruguayan has play for most of the season.

When asked about Nugent’s dismissal Karanka expressed that the forward “has to learn” from his mistake, though the Spaniard also reiterated it is frustrating when teams try to waste time when they come to the Riverside.

The Boro boss said he was pleased with his side’s first half performance at the weekend, but believed that the terrible whether on Saturday didn’t help the game.

Karanka is looking forward to tonight’s game against a Burnley side who are fifth in the division.

“They are an experienced and strong team so it will be a tough game” said the Spaniard. Even so the Clarets haven’t won in their last five games after a recent dip in form.

Team News

After naming an unchanged side at the weekend, Karanka will have to make alterations upfront with due to Nugent’s suspension.

That could provide opportunities for the likes of Kike, Adam Forshaw and Diego Fabbrini. Boro have no new injury concerns after their goalless draw with Birmingham.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche also has a fully fit side ahead of game, though former Boro stiker Lukas Jutkiewitz and Ashley Barnes remain injured with long-term knee injuries.

Facts and Stats

Burnley haven’t beaten Boro in the last four meetings between the sides losing three and drawing one.

Their last meeting at the Riverside came on Boxing Day in 2013 when Boro won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Emmanuel Ledesma.

David Nugent has scored in four goals in his last five matches against Burnley, but won’t start the game due to suspension.

Key Players

Boro’s Key

Stewart Downing

Boro's Stewart Downing
(Picture from images.cdn.fourfourtwo.com)

Karanka may opt to alter his regular system due to the suspension of David Nugent. If he does he will have to make sure that he gets the best out of Downing who has raised his game in recent weeks. Downing has been deployed in the ‘number 10’ position behind the striker, where his direct runs and left foot shots have caused opposition teams problems.

However at the Riverside teams have been content to place men behind the ball and make it difficult for Boro to break them down. In those situations it will be down to the Teessider’s more creative players, like Downing, to produce the quality to break them down.     

One To Watch

Andre Gray

Burnley's Andre Gray
(Picture from e0.365dm.com)

Gray is the division’s top scorer this season with 11 goals and has been a massive boost for Burnley since his summer arrival from Brentford. At £9 million the 24-year-old was the Clarets record signing, but quickly formed a good relationship with fellow striker Sam Vokes.

Even so Gray hasn’t found the back of the net in his last three matches and will be looking to rediscover some form at the Riverside. It won’t be easy as Boro haven’t conceded at home in their last six league games.    

Form

Middlesbrough

Birmingham 0-0 D

Ipswich 0-2 W

Everton 0-2 L (Capital One Cup)

Huddersfield 0-2 W

QPR 1-0 W

Burnley

QPR 0-0 D

Preston 0-2 L

Cardiff 2-2 D

Brighton 0-0 D

Wolves 0-0 D

Prediction

Middlesbrough 1 Burnley 1

An early goal could change things but this has the makings of a tight game between two strong Championship teams. Boro haven’t conceded at the Riverside for six games but that run has to come to an end at some point and Burnley look like they have some good firepower upfront. For that reason I am going for a 1-1 draw.

  

Boro Miss Chance To Go Top With Birmingham Draw

Middlesbrough    0        Birmingham    0

Middlesbrough striker David Nugent was sent off as his side were held to a frustrating goalless draw at home to Birmingham.

Boro finished the game with 70 per cent possession after 20 attempts on goal, but couldn’t find a winner which would have put them top of the table.

Players battle in the pouring rain at the Riverside
(Picture from c.files.bbci.co.uk)

Despite the host’s first half dominance, it was Gary Rowatt’s Blues who could have left  the Riverside with all three points.

The visitors created the better chances after the interval but couldn’t find a way past keeper Dimi Konstantopulos.

In the end Boro’s frustration boiled over on a day where the persistent rain disrupted and stalled a game between two top eight sides.

Nugent’s dismissal came deep into injury time when he reacted to some Birmingham time wasting by grabbing opponent Stephen Gleeson and pushing him to the ground. His stupidity means that the Boro forward will now serve a three game ban and miss crucial games against Burnley, Brighton and Blackburn.

"I'm disappointed because it's difficult playing at home always trying to win games, against sides that are wasting time” said Karanka after the game.

"So you can understand his (Nugent's) frustration, but you have to learn not to do that. He knows he's made a mistake but it's up to the other players on Tuesday to make up for this”.

Boro may have seen more of the ball, but Birmingham keeper Tomasz Kuszczak was rarely tested. After a quiet first half, it was Konstantopulos who ensured his side came away with a point after denying Demarai Gray before Michael Morrison headed wide late on .

"Overall on the balance of play, we knew Boro would have more possession, with the way we play most teams will do that, but we limited them and our chances were the better ones” said Rowett.

"The conditions made the game difficult, but that's as good an away performance as we've had all we've had all season and that's saying a lot with the way we've played away this season”.

The visitors arrived on Teesside after three straight defeats in the league and were looking to bounce back from last weekend’s home defeat to Huddersfield.

For the fourth game in a row they had to cope without top scorer Clayton Donaldson and once again appeared a little light upfront. Even so in Rowatt was the first to complement his side who were “strong defensively” and are only the third team to take points off Boro at the Riverside this season.

Karanka named an unchanged side from the one which beat Ipswich last weekend and his side were quick out of the traps in tricky conditions.

Adam Clayton scored his first goal for the club against Huddersfield a couple of weeks ago and nearly registered his second, when his shot from the edge of the area looped over Kuszczak who recovered to tip the ball over the bar.

Boro came close again eight minutes later when captain Grant Leadbitter curled a low shot onto post. The ball then quickly came to a standstill on the soaking pitch and Kuszczak was able to gather it with ease.

The visitor’s best effort came when Gleeson fizzed a shot wide of post. But overall the first half belonged to Boro, who passed the ball well at times, but were hindered by the wet pitch which slowed them down in the wide areas.

Birmingham came out swinging after the break and posed a greater threat on the counter attack through the presence of Gray.   

Mid-way through the second half Konstantopuols had to tip an effort from Jacques Maghoma over the bar before Ayala performed a crucial block to prevent substitute David Davis.

At the other end Boro continued to create openings but failed to give Kuszczak real examination and were guilty of overplaying in the final third.

The Birmingham keeper saved comfortably when headers from Ayala and Christian Stuani were directed straight at him.

Moments later Downing cannoned an effort towards goal from inside the box but it was blocked for away for a corner. Leadbitter also came close but his powerful free kick whistled wide of the post.

In the final 20 minutes the game opened up emphatically and both sides had chances to nick a winner. Gray’s burst down the left brought him into the Boro box where Konstantopulos beat away his shot with a strong right arm.

At the other end Stuani missed a glorious chance from close range before Morrison headed wide from a Birmingham corner.

Nugent’s red card summed up a wet and miserable day on Teesside where the football suffered as a consequence.

Player Ratings      

Dimi Konstantopulos   7- Made some vital saves when Boro could easily have lost late on

Emilio Nsue   7- Another competent performance, good defensively and added outlet going forward

Ben Gibson   7- Made some important tackles and blocks when Birmingham broke on the counter attack

Daniel Ayala   7- Tried to get forward more and come out with the ball as Boro pushed for a winner

George Friend   7- Never stopped trying and was as committed as ever on the left side

Adam Clayton   7- Drove the team forward and almost scored early on

Grant Leadbitter   6.5- Looked comfortable in the first half lost control of the game as it opened up

Albert Adomah   6.5- Saw a lot of the ball and made some good runs down the left

Stewart Downing 6.5- Received the ball in some good areas through the middle, came closest to scoring out of anyone  

Christian Stuani   5- Pasted up a good opportunity and gave the ball away too often

David Nugent   4- Stupidly got himself sent off and will miss next three games

Subs

Adam Forshaw – Came on with 12 minutes to go unfair to give a fair rating

Diego Fabbrini – Came on with three minutes to go unfair to give a fair rating

My Boro Man Of The Match: Adam Clayton

Middlesbrough v Birmingham Preview

Middlesbrough have a better squad than the one which reached the play-off final last year according to manager Aitor Karanka.

After 19 games Boro are six points better off than at this stage last season and are second in the table, two points behind leaders Brighton.

Today they face Birmingham at the Riverside, with the Blues sitting eighth in the table. Karanka was complementary about his opposite number Gary Rowett, saying the 41-year-old is “a good young manager who has improved the team a lot”

The Boro boss also reiterated that he had spoken to striker Patrick Bamford, who scored 17 league goals for the Teessiders last season, and that “the door was open for him to return” in January.

Even so Karanka preferred to concentrate on the important games ahead of him in December which sees Boro take on four of the top eight teams.

Team News

Boro picked up no injuries in last week despite playing two games in the space of three days (Against Everton and Ipswich). Tomas Kalas returned to the bench after a knee injury, while defender Rhys Williams is also close to a return after nearly a year on the side-lines; however this weekend’s game will probably come too soon.

Birmingham are expected to be without top scorer Clayton Donaldson for the fourth game running and the Blues striker is expected to be out until Christmas with a groin injury. In his absence Danish striker Nicolai Brock-Madsen has led the line, though the 22-year-old is still yet to find the net after signing for Birmingham in the summer.

The visitors will also be without David Cotterill (knee), Paul Robinson (thigh) and Koby Arthur (knee), though striker James Vaughan is available after signing on loan from Huddersfield at the end of November.

Facts and Stats

Birmingham haven’t beaten Boro in their last four meetings, last season Boro won 2-0 at the Riverside and the teams drew 1-1 at St Andrews.

The Blues have lost nine out of their last 10 games at the Riverside; the only exception was in 2013 when Nikola Zigic scored the only goal of the game.

Birmingham have used just 20 players in the Championship this season, the fewest of any team. (BBC Sport)

Key Players

Boro’s Key

Christian Stuani

Boro's Christian Stuani
(Picture from i3.gazettelive.co.uk)

Stuani’s return from injury has given Boro a huge boost ahead of a packed Christmas fixture list. Against Ipswich the Uruguayan made his first league start for over a month, due to injury, and scored the opening goal of the game. Despite missing a chunk of the season Stuani remains Boro top scorer with 8 goals in all competitions. He usually starts on the right hand side and has the ability to run at defenders with the ball. Due to his attacking instincts Stuani often drifts in field and adds an extra threat in the box, meaning defenders often struggle to track him.

One To Watch

Demarai Gray

Birmingham's Demarai Gray
(Picture from i1.birminghammail.co.uk)

Gray has become a regular for Birmingham in the past 12 months despite being just 19-years-old. Like the former Blues winger Nathan Redmond, Gray is a product of the Birmingham youth academy and has already made 67 appearances for his home town club. Gray’s pace and dribbling abilities will be a threat on the counter attack which will suit the Blues away from home. Gray is often deployed on the wing so will have to do be aware of his defensive duties at the Riverside, where Boro have lost just once this campaign.

Form

Middlesbrough

Ipswich 0-2 W

Everton 0-2 L (Capital One Cup)

Huddersfield 0-2 W

QPR 1-0 W

Hull 3-0 L

Birmingham

Huddersfield 0-2 L

Brighton 2-1 L

Charlton 0-1 L

Fulham 2-5 W

Blackburn 0-0 D

Prediction

Middlesbrough 2 Birmingham 1

Birmingham have struggled for goals in recent weeks after the injury to top scorer Clayton Donaldson. The Blues have lost their last three games while Boro are in good form after winning away at Ipswich last weekend. However Gary Rowett has proved that he is a good, up and coming manager who will probably arrive with an astute game plan. Even so as the home team I expect Boro to edge a tight encounter.

Five Things We Learnt From Ipswich v Middlesbrough

Ipswich    0        Middlesbrough    2

                                           Stuani  54  Nugent  74

Middlesbrough did something that they hadn’t done for 23 years on Friday and beat Ipswich at Portman Road.

The last time the Boro won in Suffolk both sides were in the Premier League, according to Town boss Mick McCarthy the Teessiders have the quality to return there this season and his side were on the receiving end.

Christian Stuani’s header and David Nugent’s neat finish proved the difference between the two sides in the second half. It was a result which moved Aitor Karanka’s side top of the table for a brief period of time before Brighton reclaimed it less than a day later.

Town remain a point off the play-off places but slip down to ninth after a six game unbeaten run.

1. Boro can win anywhere

The Teessiders hadn’t won at Portman Road for 23 years and were comprehensively beaten when the sides met in this fixture last season. It was a similar story when Boro visited Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the campaign, yet they ended those hoodoos in emphatic fashion. Karanka’s men are making a habit of winning at their so called ‘boggy grounds’ this season which bodes well for the rest of the campaign.

2. Stuani can be a threat from the right

Despite missing a month through injury Stuani is still Boro’s top scorer this season with eight goals in all competitions. In his absence fellow striker David Nugent has asserted himself as Karanka’s first choice centre forward, but as he showed on Friday the Uruguayan forward can cause plenty of damage cutting in from the right. Stuani’s attacking instincts means he regularly drifts in field and adds an extra body in the opposition’s box. Against Ipswich he arrived in the penalty area unmarked and was able to head home Boro’s opening goal. 

3. Nsue Keeps His Place

At the start of the season Boro fans were delighted to see Tomas Kalas return to the club on a season long loan from Chelsea. It was assumed that the Czech international would simply slot back into the right back position where he performed so admirably last campaign. However the emergence of Emilio Nsue has been key to Boro’s success this season and with Kalas out injured, the versatile wide man from Equatorial Guinea has made the right back position his own.  He regularly gets forward and provides a good outlet when Boro are attacking and his crossing is usually accurate, if not always exploited.

4. Defensive Duo Remain Tight

Boro have lost just twice since the start of last season when Daniel Ayala and Ben Gibson have played together in the heart of defence, and one of those came in the play-off final. In this fixture last season Gibson was left on the bench, as Kenneth Omeruo took his place and struggled throughout the game. On Friday night Ayala and Gibson gave Boro the platform to go and win the match as they kept the in-form Daryl Murphy on the fringes. If the pair both stay fit for the rest of the season Boro should have a great chance of achieving promotion.

5. Others Can Slip Up

Overall it was a fantastic weekend for Boro, not only win at a ground were they have struggled in recent times, they also watched many of their fellow promotion rivals slip up. Hull lost away at Leeds, Burnley were beaten at Preston while Derby were held to a goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday. For a while it looked like Karanka’s side could finish the weekend at the top of the table when Brighton trailed Charlton by two goals to nil, however the Seagulls managed to turn it around and win 3-2 to remain the only unbeaten side in England’s top four divisions.

Boro's Stewart Downing
(Picture from i3.gazettelive.co.uk)

Boro’s Best

Stewart Downing (Man Of The Match)

In recent weeks Boro have relied on their defence and solidity at the back to grind out results, but on Friday it was their forward players who stepped up to the mark. Albert Adomah looked back to his best and gave full back Luke Chambers a torrid time, Christian Stuani added an offensive boost while David Nugent scored his fifth goal of the campaign. But the star of the show went to Stewart Downing who excelled in the number 10 role behind the striker. His direct runs on the counter attack gave Town all sorts of problems in the second half and led to the second goal which Nugent finished well.

Thorn In The Side   

Ipswich's Brett Pitman
(Picture from pbs.twimg.com)

Brett Pitman

The first goal was always going to be key in this game, unfortunately for Town it was Boro who got it. Things could have been different if the hosts had struck first and in the opening 45 minutes Pitman looked the most likely to break the deadlock. His shot from range forced an admirable save from Dimi Konstantopulos and after the break the Boro keeper denied Pitman again when he stretched across goal to keep out the strikers back post header. 

Ipswich v Middlesbrough Preview

Aitor Karanka believes that his Middlesbrough side will benefit from playing two games in such a short space of time.

Boro face Ipswich at Portman Road in tonight’s 7:45 kick-off, just three days after losing to Everton in the Capital One Cup.

But Karanka thinks his players will benefit from the experience of playing a Premier League side and will return to the championship “hungry for success”.

A victory would move the Teessiders top of the table with others not playing until Saturday, even so Karanka remained wary of a “strong” Town side who like to “play long balls and a physical game”.  

Ipswich sit seventh in the table and are only outside the play-offs of goal difference. Manager Mick McCarthy has expressed his relief following the re-emergence of striker Daryl Murphy, who has scored six goals in his last three games after a slow start to the season.

Team News

Boro have no injury concerns after the Everton game according to Karanka, who confirmed full back Tomas Kalas has returned and will travel with the side after a knee injury.

Town are still without striker David McGoldrick who has a groin problem. In recent games Murphy has led the line with Freddie Sears and Brett Pitman playing either side of him. Winger Ryan Fraser is out with long term injuries while midfielder Teddy Bishop could return.

Facts and Stats

Boro haven’t won at the Portman Road since 1993, they have played there 10 times since.

Last season Town won 2-0 at home after goals from Daryl Murphy and Jay Tabb, Boro won 4-1 in the return fixture at the Riverside.

No team has scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of games than Middlesbrough this season (nine), while Ipswich have scored the fewest in that time (one) [BBC Sport]

Key Players

Boro's Ben Gibson
(Picture from i1.gazettelive.co.uk)

Boro’s Key

Ben Gibson

The home-grown defender is often the unsung hero in a Boro side which has kept four clean sheets in their last five games. The Teessider’s success has been built on the partnership between Gibson and fellow centre and Daniel Ayala; when the pair have played together Boro have only lost twice since the start of last season, one of which was the play-off final.

When Boro played at Portman Road last season the hosts found success by pressing high up the pitch. Gibson will therefore have to be astute in possession and distribute the ball well for the players in front of him.

Ipswich's Daryl Murphy
(Picture from irishpost.co.uk)

One To Watch

Daryl Murphy

Murphy was one of Boro’s transfer targets in the summer but decided to stay at Ipswich where he scored 27 league goals last season, making him the Championship’s top goal scorer. The Irish striker made a slower start to this campaign, but has returned to form by scoring six goals in his last three games. That included a brace away at Charlton last weekend which moved Town up to seventh in the league. Murphy knows the feeling of scoring against Boro after scoring in both games when the sides met last season.  

Form

Ipswich

Charlton 0-3 W

Wolves 2-2 D

Rotherham 2-5 W

Bolton Wanderers 2-0 W

Cardiff 0-0 D

Middlesbrough

Everton 0-2 L [Capital One Cup]

Huddersfield 0-2 W

QPR 1-0 W

Hull 3-0 L

Rotherham 1-0 W

Prediction

Ipswich 1 Middlesbrough 1

Boro have found success hard to come by at Portman Road in recent times and are bound to face another tough test against an in form Ipswich side. Even so Boro should have learnt from their experience against Everton in mid-week and want to bounce back.  An early goal could open the game up but I expect it to be a tight game and probably end in a draw. 

Everton Beat Boro As Premier League Quality Shows

Middlesbrough    0        Everton    2

                                                                                                    Deulofeu  20 Lukaku  27

Pace, power and a touch of class helped Everton reach the last four of the Capital One Cup, after a quarter-final victory over Championship Middlesbrough.

Gerard Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku provided the moments of quality for Roberto Martinez’s side  in a match which they controlled due to two first half goals. 

Gerard Deulofeu celebrates Everton's opener
(Picture from i.dailymail.co.uk)

The visitors were cheered on by over 4,500 away fans at the Riverside Stadium, many of whom will now believe this is the Toffees’ year to end their major trophy drought which currently stands at 20 long years.

Boro may have knocked Manchester United out of the competition at the end of October, but in truth this was another step up, even from the arena of Old Trafford.

Back then it could have been argued that United underestimated Aitor Karanka’s plucky and resilient side. There was no danger of complacency here however, with Martinez naming a full strength Everton side from the off.

In Lukaku they had a £27 million striker, in Deulofeu a Barcelona youth product. Behind them was Ross Barkley, one of England’s brightest prospects, and in John Stones they possessed the nation’s most-hyped centre half.

At the key moments the visitor’s quality showed and despite a Boro response in a fading second half, a two goal mountain was always going to be difficult to climb.

For Karanka and his side it was a lesson in how to be clinical at the highest level, his side will have to try and take it on board for Friday’s trip to Ipswich, when they return to cut and thrust of their Championship campaign.

The Boro boss made five changes from the side which started at Huddersfield on Saturday. Cup goalkeeper Tomas Mejies was preferred to Dimi Konstantopulos while in defence Fernando Amorebieta replaced George Friend at left back.

Further forward captain Grant Leadbitter returned from suspension, while Christian Stuani and Carlos De Pena were also recalled meaning Albert Adomah and Diego Fabbrini missed out. Upfront Kike started in place of David Nugent.

In contrast the visitors made three alterations from the side which drew with Bournemouth at the weekend, one of which was goalkeeper Joel Robles who replaced Tim Howard. Ahead of him James McCarthy and Arouna Kone made way for Tom Cleverley and Leon Osman.

Despite some early Everton pressure, the hosts almost took the lead though Stewart Downing’s curling free kick on 16 minutes. It required a flying save from Robles, who flung himself to his left before palming the ball away.

Moments later Everton took the lead though the instrumental Deulofeu. The Spaniard attained possession in a central position before charging at Boro’s backline. He twisted and turned  before leaving Ben Gibson in a heap on the floor, when he finally pulled the trigger with his deadly left foot he did so ruthlessly, curling a low shot pass Mejias.

Everton smelt blood and pounced again as Boro licked their wounds. Seven minutes after the opener the visitors doubled their lead with a goal of Premier League quality to all but put the game out of sight.

It started when Barkley swept a floating ball across field to pick out Deulofeu on the left. From there the tricky winger produced step over after step over before beating Amorebieta and clipping the ball into the opposition box. With a powerful flick of the neck muscles Lukaku headed it home. Mejias could only watch as the ball swooped into the far corner of the net.

In the 33^rd minutes both sets of fans lit the torches on their phones to support BBC Tees commentator Ali Brownlee who was diagnosed with bowel cancer last week. The chants of “There’s’ only one Ali Brownlee” rung loud and clear around the ground.

Boro did respond and Stuani forced a save out of Robles before half time, then Adam Clayton fired a shot wide after the restart. Downing came closest of anyone but his left foot strike was a decent height for Robles to tip over the bar.   

Even so Everton’s game plan was measured and astute, as you would expect from a Premier League outfit. When they had the ball they kept it well, when they didn’t they posed a threat on the break, though most of the damage had already been done.

The visitors could have put the game well beyond reach by adding a third, Clayton blocked Barkley’s effort before Mejias made a smart save to deny substitute Kevin Mirallas.

Boro had chances too, the best of which came 12 minutes from time when Stuani’s back post header looped onto the roof of the net. Adam Forshaw, who had replaced De Pena at half time, also went close but Robles comfortably held his shot from range.

Player Ratings

Tomas Mejias   6- Couldn’t do much about either goal, made a good save late on to deny Mirallas

Emilio Nsue   6.5- Provided a good outlet going from right back

Ben Gibson   6- Had a tough task of dealing with Lukaku which he didn’t shy away from

Daniel Ayala 6.5- Brought the ball out well from the back to try and start attacks

Fernando Amorebieta   5- Was given the run around by Man Of The Match Deulofeu

Adam Clayton   6- Shielded the defence well, but was overrun in midfield at times

Grant Leadbitter   6- Spent majority of the first half chancing the ball

Carlos De Pena   5- Subbed at half time after ineffective 45 minutes

Stewart Downing   6- Had a couple of decent efforts saved

Christian Stuani 6 – One of the few Boro players who ran at the opposition defence

Kike   6- Dropped deep to receive the ball, at times lacked support

Subs

Adam Forshaw   6- Came on at half time and helped Boro keep possession

Albert Adomah – Came on for last 16 minutes, not enough time to give a fair rating

George Friend – Came on for the last eight minutes, not enough time to give a fair rating

My Boro Man Of The Match : Emilio Nsue

Clayton Back To Haunt Huddersfield, As Boro Move Second

Huddersfield    0        Middlesbrough    2

                                                               Clayton 9  Nsue  84

Adam Clayton scored his first goal for Middlesbrough, as they beat his former club Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Adam Clayton celebrates his first goal for the club
(Picture from i.dailymail.co.uk)

Clayton, who joined Boro in 2014, opened the scoring after nine minutes when he wriggled into the opposition penalty area before firing defected shot into the Huddersfield net.

The visitors doubled their lead six minutes from time when Emilio Nsue beat keeper Jed Steer from close range after a neat counter attacking move.

The result moves Boro up to second in the table, two points behind leaders Brighton, while The Terriers slip into the relegation zone after their third successive defeat.

Huddersfield finished the match with 75% possession and after the game both managers confessed that the hosts probably deserved at least a point.

After falling behind early on they nearly drew level when Nahki Wells’ curling free kick appeared to have beaten goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopulos but rebounded off the bar.

Moments later Wells had another opportunity but his chip was saved by the arm of the Boro keeper. Konstantopulos then denied Sean Scannell from close range before beating away another Wells effort before the break.

The visitors were made to rue those chances when Nsue latched on to substitute Adam Forshaw’s back heal before slotting the ball home.

"The result was very different to the performance. I was very pleased with the way we played, particularly in the first half. Said Terriers boss David Wagner.

In contrast Aitor Karanka admitted "It was not a good performance but sometimes games are like that.

"Huddersfield looked like the top team, not us. Huddersfield played really well and I expected that, I saw them at Sheffield Wednesday and it's no surprise how well they played”. He added.