BOLTON (4-3-3):

Alnwick 5; Darby 4 (Burke 46, 4), Wheater 5, Beevers 5, Robinson 4; Derik 4 (Cullen 65, 5), Pratley 4, Karacan 5 (Le Fondre 75, 5); NOONE 7, Madine 6, Morais 5.

Substitutes (not used): Howard (gk), Buckley, Armstrong, Wilbraham.


MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):

8 Randolph: Vital early stop from Gary Madine denied Bolton the chance to get any momentum going, and made two more fine saves after half-time

7 Christie: Able to get forward regularly, blazing over a good second-half chance, though he came under pressure defensively after the break

7 Fry: Another solid display from the 20-year-old, who is enjoying a consistent run of form in the Boro back four

7 Gibson: Worked well with his fellow centre-back, with whom he is forming a fine partnership. A threat going forward at set-pieces too

7 Fabio: Retained his place at George Friend’s expense, and proved his value as an attacking full-back with a series of positive forward runs

7 Leadbitter: Took the captain’s armband from Gibson as he made his first league start of the season, and provided the leadership required

8 Clayton: Shielded the defence well, and always had an eye for the right pass, though he survived a first-half penalty appeal when blocking Craig Noone’s shot

9 TRAORE: At his unstoppable best with the thrilling assist for Assombalonga’s first goal; Boro will be glad they held off Lille’s interest

8 Baker: The Chelsea loanee was unlucky not to get a second-half penalty when he was barged into off the ball by Derik Osede

7 Downing: Back in the fold after Birmingham failed to sign him, and did enough to suggest he still has a part to play for Garry Monk

8 Assombalonga: Another double for the £15m man, and it would have been a hat-trick but for Ben Alnwick’s late save


Subs:

Johnson (for Baker, 68): An excellent debut for the signing from Oxford, topped by a goal that came with a bit of luck 8

Bamford (for Downing, 75): Helped see out the victory with his cameo 7

Fletcher (for Traore, 82)

Not used: Konstantopoulos (gk), Friend, Shotton, Howson.


Man Of The Match – ADAMA TRAORE: The Spanish winger has been maddeningly inconsistent during his Boro career, but this was his best performance for the club.