7 Steffen: Not really tested but comfortable and confident throughout and good distribution in build-up to first goal.
7 Smith: Rock solid. Linked up well with Ramsey.
8 Fry: Towering performance. Won the battle against Andy Carroll. Bullied the Reading striker early on.
8 Lenihan: Alongside Fry, dominant defensive display.
8 Giles: Two second half assists takes him to nine for the season. Also teed up Archer goal that was disallowed.
8 Howson: All-action. Combative performance in the middle, helped set the tempo.
7 Hackney: Classy display in the middle of the park. Never flustered.
9 Ramsey: Brilliant performance. Won the first penalty, scored two himself and was a threat all afternoon. Took his chance.
9 Akpom: Boro’s history maker. Kept his cool from the spot, scored a clinical second – and then showed his selflessness to let Forss take the second penalty.
7 McGree: As tricky as ever for the opposition to pin down. Busy throughout.
7 Archer: Another fine centre-forward display. His strength played a part in the opening goal, which set Boro on their way.
Substitutes:
Barlaser (for Howson, 58): 7. Tidy from the bench.
Bola (for Giles, 58): 6. Good run-out for the defender.
Mowatt (for Hackney, 68): 6. Comfortable for the loanee.
Forss (for McGree, 68): 7. Bright, won the penalty and scored it.
Jones (for Ramsey, 82): N/A
Subs not used: Roberts, Dijksteel
Reading: Bouzanis 5, Yiadom 4 (Holmes, 67), Mbengue 4, Sarr 4, McIntyre 4 (Guiness-Walker, 80); Hendrick 5, Casadei 5 (Fornah, 67), Ince 5, Long 5 (Azeez, 67), Meite 5, Carroll 4
Subs not used: Boyce-Clark, Dann, Joao
Man of the Match: Chuba Akpom: Finally ended Boro’s long wait for a 20-goal striker with another clinical display
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