Middlesbrough recorded their fourth victory in a row after a
hard fought battle with Preston at the Riverside.
Albert Adomah scored the only goal of the game when he
converted George Friend’s cross on 32 minutes, and the hosts appeared to be in
full control after a relatively comfortable first half.
In the end they were left hanging on against a strong and physical
Preston side, who would have equalised if it wasn’t for Friend’s goal line clearance
mid-way through the second half.
It was no classic but it’s a result which moves Boro four
points clear of Brighton in third place and keeps them within a point of
leaders Burnley, who won the day’s early kick-off.
Aitor Karanka‘s side could claim the top spot for themselves
if they beat Reading at home on Tuesday night.
With six games to go promotion remains firmly in Boro’s
control, however it is games like this which can cause unexpected turbulence.
Preston were no pushovers and were an awkward proposition
through there hard challenges and forceful methods. It was a far tougher challenge
than the one posed by Huddersfield at the Riverside on Tuesday night; however
Boro came through it unharmed and with their promotion hopes still intact.
Karanka made four changes from his side’s victory in mid-week.
Adam Clayton dropped to the bench after sustaining a knock in the closing
stages of the Huddersfield game. Adam Forshaw replaced him in midfield while
Daniel Ayala, Cristhian Stuani and David Nugent also came in.
Simon Grayson also made a number of changes following his
side’s 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham on Tuesday. Adam Reach, on loan from Boro,
was ineligible to play while Middlesbrough born Jordan Hugill missed out though
injury.
In his pre-match press conference Karanka stressed the
importance of a strong start and an early goal following the goalless draw
between to two sides earlier this season.
However in the opening exchanges it was the visitors who
passed the ball with greater impetus and fluidity, as Boro struggled to sustain
possession and were forced back inside their own half.
Even so keeper Dimi Konstantopulos was rarely tested, and
after a sluggish 15 minute spell Karanka’s side began to flick through the
gears.
On 22 minutes Adomah’s cross from the left found Stuani at
the far post, however his header was saved by Preston keeper Anders Lindegaard.
Lindegaard may have been signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for
Manchester United back in 2010, however the Danish goalkeeper hardly covered
himself in glory minutes later when he dropped Emilio Nsue’s cross and left the
ball loose in the penalty area.
With the goal now unguarded Nugent managed to conjure up a
shot during the goal mouth scramble. However it was cleared off the line by the
well positioned Bailey Wright. The ball broke loose and Adomah then fired in
another effort but Wright was once again on hand to clear the danger.
Even so it wasn’t long before Adomah was celebrating when
Boro opened the scoring on 32 minutes. Gaston Ramirez dropped deep and switched
the ball from right to left to the on-rushing Friend.
The full back’s cross fell perfectly at the feet of Adomah,
who had taken up a great position in the heart of the penalty area. With one
touch the Ghanaian international knocked the ball in to space and tucked the
ball past Lindegaard with complete composure. 1-0 the deadlock was broken.
Boro should have doubled their lead before half time when Ayala
showed great vision to release Nugent, who appeared to be clear through on
goal. He checked back to avoid the back-tracking Wright, however his subsequent
effort was saved by the strong hand of Lindegaard.
After the break Leadbitter flashed a low free kick wide of
the post, but from then on it was Preston who moved into the ascendancy.
They played to their strengths and looked to launch the ball
forward to their front pairing of Joe Garner and Eoin Doyle at every
opportunity. On 62 minutes the later almost drew the teams’ level when Paul
Gallagher’s cross was spilled by Konstantopulos.
Doyle’s consequent effort was blocked by a combination of
Gibson and Friend on the Boro goal line before the ball was eventually
scrambled to safety.
The visitors came again minutes later when Garner flashed a
shot wide. Konstantopulos then parried away Marnick Vermijl’s thumping volley
from the edge of the area.
Boro could have made the final few minutes a little easier
when a late corner fell at the feet of Adomah but Lindegaard saved at his near
post.
It didn’t matter as the hosts hung on and now have the chance
to move top if they beat Reading on Tuesday.
Player Ratings
Dimi Konstantopulos
7- Made a couple of decent saves and was put under pressure at set plays
Emilio Nsue 6.5- Forced
to defend a bit more but still showed good energy on the right
Daniel Ayala 7.5-
Won header after header against Preston’s physical front two
Ben Gibson 7- Won
areal duals and swept up the danger in Boro’s penalty area
George Friend 7.5-
Threat going forward and put his body on the line at the back
Grant Leadbitter 7-
Sat in and defended when he had to, was efficient in possession as well
Adam Forshaw 6- Tidy
on the ball but struggled the make a major impact
Albert Adomah 8-
Full of energy, closed the ball down well and grabbed the winner
Cristhian Stuani 5-
Looked lost on the wing once again
Gaston Ramirez 6-
Subbed in the second half had to drop deep to receive the ball
David Nugent 6- Looked
affective in the first half but was anonymous after the break
Subs
Stewart Downing 6- Replaced
Stuani on 63 minutes, gave the side more balance
Adam Clayton 6.5- Came
on after 70 minutes and Shored up the midfield
My Boro Man Of The Match: Albert Adomah
