How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's 3-1 defeat at Burnley?


BURNLEY (4-2-3-1):

Muric 6; Roberts 6, Harwood-Bellis 7, Beyer 7, Maatsen 6; Cork 6 (Bastien 87), Cullen 6; Gudmundsson 7 (Churlinov 87), Brownhill 7, BENSON 8 (Barnes 76); Rodriguez 6 (Twine 87 (Taylor 90)).

Subs (not used): Peacock-Farrell (gk), Dervisoglu.


MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):

4 Steffen: Badly at fault for Burnley’s second goal as he was beaten by a cross, and his distribution was poor for most of the game

5 Smith: Didn’t do an awful lot wrong defensively, but was unable to offer anything in the Burnley half

5 Fry: Kept Rodriguez quiet for most of the afternoon, although he wasn’t able to dominate aerially as the Clarets swept ahead in the second half

6 LENIHAN: Made some important first-half blocks in his own 18-yard box, and had a decent game despite finishing on the losing side

4 Giles: Struggled against the dangerous Benson as he was unable to prevent his opponent delivering balls into the middle

4 Howson: Wasn’t at his best for long periods, with his second-half own goal pretty much summing up his afternoon

5 Hackney: Was positionally disciplined in the first half, but lost control of the midfield battle in the second

4 Jones: Hadn’t really done anything to impact on the game before he delivered the late cross that led to Roberts’ sending off

5 Akpom: Played as the central striker in the second half, but couldn’t beat Muric with his stoppage-time spot-kick

5 McGree: Led Boro’s counter-attacking in the first half, but dropped out of the game in the second period

4 Forss: Struggled to retain possession as Boro looked to relieve the mounting pressure in the first half and was taken off at half-time


Subs:

6 Watmore (for Forss, 46): Made an instant impact as he scored within four minutes of coming onto the field

Muniz (for McGree, 72)

(not used): Roberts (gk), Dijksteel, McNair, Mowatt, Willis.


Man Of The Match: MANUEL BENSON – The Burnley midfielder was at fault for Boro’s goal, but more than atoned for his error as he scored two goals in seven minutes and proved a massive threat on the right.