How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's 4-1 defeat to Sheffield United?


SHEFF UTD (3-5-2):

Foderingham 6; Davies 6, Egan 8, Robinson 8; Osborn 8 (Gordon 86), Norwood 7, Fleck 6 (Hourihane 38, 6), Berge 7, Norrington-Davies 6; Gibbs-White 8, SHARP 8 (McBurnie 84).

Subs (not used): Davies (gk), Ndiaye, Seriki, Jebbison.


MIDDLESBROUGH (3-5-2):

4 Lumley: Played his part in a shambolic defensive display as his misguided palm away set up Berge’s goal

4 Peltier: Didn’t look comfortable against the pace and power of the Blades attack, and got himself involved in an unnecessary flare-up with Sharp

3 Fry: Couldn’t handle Sharp’s power and energy and looked uncharacteristically unsecure all evening

4 McNair: Found himself repeatedly pulled out of position and was part of a collective defensive implosion

6 JONES: Boro’s brightest attacking light once again – made a series of dangerous breaks down the right

5 Crooks: Tried to keep things going at the heart of midfield, but wasn’t really a factor in the final third

4 Howson: Was at fault for Sheffield United’s second as he was robbed of possession inside his own half

4 Tavernier: Was kept quiet by the Sheffield United midfield on an evening when nothing really came off

4 Bola: Didn’t look match sharp on his return to the starting line-up and inadvertently played a role in Sheffield United’s opening goal

5 Connolly: Displayed plenty of energy, but rarely looks like being a factor in the opposition’s 18-yard box

4 Sporar: Wasted a glorious chance to get Boro back into the game when he shot over in the first half


Subs:

4 Watmore (for Bola, 59): Wasn’t able to alter the course of the game in the closing stages

5 Balogun (for Sporar, 59): Claimed his first Boro goal after Foderingham served the ball up to him

Coburn (for Peltier, 75)

(not used): Daniels (gk), Bamba, Taylor, Lea-Siliki.


Man Of The Match: BILLY SHARP – The Sheffield United striker rolled back the years with an attacking display full of ener