Middlesbrough fell to their fifth defeat in six games, going down 2-1 at Blackburn.
Here's how the players rated:
7 Dieng: Couple of nervy moments with distribution but kept Boro in the game with a string of crucial and impressive saves.
5 Van den Berg: Struggled to settle in the first half as Dolan - who was unmarked for glorious early chance - had the better of him. Needed more help from Forss in front.
6 Fry: Caught out for the first goal but otherwise OK. Wasn't helped by lack of control in front.
6 Lenihan: Did a decent enough job on Gallagher. It was down the flanks and from deep Blackburn caused most problems.
5 Bangura: Difficult debut for the left-back. Blackburn had plenty of joy down the right side with the excellent Brittain advancing from right-back at every opportunity. Bangura wasn’t protected by O’Brien.
5 Howson: Had no control of the game in the first half as Blackburn took charge. Improved after the break and had a hand in the goal.
6 Hackney: Like Howson, wasn’t allowed to settle in the first half when Boro’s midfield was overrun. More effective in the second half as Boro got a grip of the game and pushed for leveller.
6 Forss: Didn’t provide enough protection for van den Berg in first half. Had Boro’s first shot on target after the Blackburn opener. Assist for goal and much more involved after.
5 Crooks: Scored Boro's goal but otherwise ineffective in the No.10 role.
5 O’Brien: Didn’t look comfortable playing on the left side. Didn’t worry Brittain going forward and Bangura lacked protection as Blackburn had waves of attacks down the right.
5 Latte Lath: Missed two big chances in the second half. Skewed one effort over from the penalty spot then lacked composure when played in on goal in stoppage time.
Substitutes:
6 Silvera (for Bangura, 69): Flashes from the bench.
McGree (for Crooks, 77) N/A
Coburn (for Howson, 88) N/A
Rogers (for Forss, 88) N/A
Subs not used: Glover, Barlaser, Jones, McNair, Greenwood
Blackburn: Pears 7, Brittain 8, Hyam 7, Carter 7, Pickering 7, A.Wharton 7, Travis 8 (Rankin-Costello, 76) Szmodics 8, Hedges 7, Dolan 7 (Moran, 59), Gallagher 7 (Telalovic, 59)
Subs not used: Wahlstedt, Hill, Wharton, Markanday, Leonard, Garrett
Man of the Match: Szmodics: Two goals and could have had two more. Boro never got to grips with the tricky midfielder.
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