How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's 2-1 win over Southampton at the Riverside?


MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):

7 Dieng: Didn’t have a lot to do, but produced a crucial late save when he tipped over Edozie’s strike

7 Van den Berg: Was asked to slot in on the right of the back four and responded with a committed and composed display

6 Fry: Had his shaky moments, particularly in the first half, but kept putting himself in for challenges

6 Lenihan: Gave the ball away cheaply early on, which almost led to a goal, but improved in the second half

7 O’Brien: Can’t have played as a left-back on too many occasions, but looked at home in the role as he repeatedly tried to push on

7 Howson: Held things together at the base of the Boro midfield and calmly converted the match-winning penalty

7 Hackney: Kept on trying to be positive and was a major factor in getting Boro back onto the front foot after they fell behind

8 Jones: Was a positive presence all afternoon, breaking forward purposefully – his pressing was the key to setting up McGree’s goal

6 Crooks: Lost possession in the build-up to Southampton’s goal, but ran himself into the ground before he was replaced

8 McGREE: Caused Southampton a series of problems with his forward breaks – scored and also hit the post late on

7 Coburn: Started slowly, but was a major factor in the closing stages – won the spot-kick and came close himself late on


Subs:

6 Greenwood (for Crooks, 69): Helped keep Boro on the front foot in the final stages of the game

Smith (for Van den Berg, 72)

Silvera (for Jones, 90)

(not used): Glover (gk), McNair, Engel, Barlaser, Rogers, Latte Lath.


SOUTHAMPTON (4-5-1):

Bazunu 6; Holgate 4 (Manning 46, 5), Harwood-Bellis 4, Bednarek 5, Walker-Peters 6, A Armstrong 7, SMALLBONE 7 (Aribo 83), Downes 5, Charles 5 (Edozie 72), Fraser 4 (Sulemana 69, 5); Adams 6 (S Armstrong 72).

Subs (not used): McCarthy (gk), Bree, Mara, Alcaraz.


Man Of The Match: RILEY McGREE – The Australian was the driving force behind most of Boro’s best attacks – scored an excellent goal and also struck the woodwork.