How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's 5-1 defeat to Brighton?


MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-1-1):

6 STEFFEN: Made three or four decent saves to prevent Brighton’s margin of victory being even more emphatic

4 Smith: Had an extremely difficult time against Mitoma, with his inability to match his opponent’s turn of pace repeatedly apparent

5 Fry: Gave a decent account of himself against Ferguson, although he was unable to prevent Brighton scoring four

4 McNair: Had a difficult return to the starting line-up, with Brighton causing repeated problems in Boro’s defensive third

4 Giles: Had a torrid time against the dangerous March, with three of Brighton’s goal originating down the Seagulls’ right

5 Forss: Displayed plenty of effort down the right, but wasn’t really able to threaten the Brighton goal

5 Howson: Was fighting a losing battle as he tried to hold things together at the heart of the Boro midfield

4 Hackney: Tried to get onto the ball in the central area, but was unable to keep track of Brighton’s midfield runners

5 McGree: His time on the ball was limited, but he came close with a first-half effort that Steele tipped over

6 Akpom: Was Boro’s brightest attacking light and claimed his 14th goal of the season with a first-half header

5 Crooks: Generally held the ball up well under pressure, although he was feeding on scraps for most of the game


Subs:

5 Watmore (for Forss, 59): Couldn’t make an impact despite displaying his usual energy and effort

4 Jones (for McGree, 59): Ran down a blind alley on the few occasions when he had the ball in the closing stages

4 Mowatt (for Hackney, 59): Was unable to shut down Brighton’s midfielders as the visitors ran riot late on

5 Archer (for Crooks, 68): Will hope there are far easier days than this in the rest of his Boro career

Bola (for Giles, 81)

(not used): Roberts (gk), Gitau, Hoppe, Muniz.


BRIGHTON (4-1-4-1):

Steele 6; Lamptey 7, van Hecke 7, Colwill 6, Estupinan 7; Caicedo 7; MARCH 8, Lallana 6 (Mac Allister 46, 8), Gross 8 (Undav 81), Mitoma 8 (Enciso 63, 6); Ferguson 7 (Welbeck 63, 6).

Subs (not used): McGill (gk), Webster, Sarmiento, Gilmour, Veltman.


Man Of The Match: SOLLY MARCH – All of Brighton’s attacking players impressed, but March was especially effective down his side’s right-hand side.