Goals:

1-0: Bamford (6, received the ball from Reach and swept home a low finish via the inside of the right-hand post)

2-0: Leadbitter (pen, 63, drilled spot-kick into the corner after Bamford was felled by Shotton as he was about to shoot)

Bookings: Ayala (29, foul), Hendrick (53, foul), Bryson (71, foul), Forsyth (76, foul), Leadbitter (81, unsporting behaviour)

Sending Offs: Shotton (62, denying a goalscoring opportunity)

Referee: Roger East (Swindon ) – The decision to award a penalty and dismiss Shotton was a relatively easy one, but he still had to make the right call 7

Attendance: 17,434

Entertainment: ****

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2):

6 Konstantopoulos: Made an excellent late save to deny Bryson from close range, but almost fluffed his lines with a poor first-half clearance

7 Nsue: Another impressive showing on the right-hand side full of pace, energy and forceful running on the overlap – looks a natural in the full-back berth

8 Gibson: Had to wear a protective head guard after having 20 stitches in a head wound last week, but justified his recall ahead of Omeruo

8 Ayala: Led the line superbly and ensured the highly-regarded Martin was never able to get a clear sight of goal

7 Friend: Watertight in defence and regularly involved in the opposition half of the field – another fine display from Boro’s most reliable player

7 Adomah: Always looked to be bright and inventive in possession, and his frantic closing down almost set up a goal in the second half

8 Leadbitter: Set the tone by winning a host of tackles and interceptions in the early stages and capped a fine display with his tenth goal of the season

8 Clayton: Seems to improve with every performance and was a key factor in Boro’s midfield dominance throughout the second half

8 Reach: Is clearly playing with a high degree of confidence at the moment and claimed another assist as he set up Bamford’s opener

8 Vossen: Maintained the standards he set at the New Den seven days earlier and produced a wonderful pass to help earn the penalty

9 BAMFORD: Clearly wanted to prove a point as he faced his former employers and was impossible to contain all afternoon

Subs:

Kike (for Bamford, 74)

Wildschut (for Vossen, 77)

(not used): Mejias (gk), Husband, Omeruo, Whitehead, Veljkovic.

DERBY (4-3-3)GRANT 8; Christie 5, Keogh 4, Shotton 3, Forsyth 5; Mascarell 3 (Best 46, 4), Hendrick 5 (Hughes 61, 4), Bryson 6; Russell 5, Martin 4, Dawkins 5 (Ibe 46, 5).

Subs (not used): Roos (gk), Buxton, Coutts, Calero.

Man Of The Match

Patrick Bamford – The Chelsea loanee made it six goals in his last seven games and proved why both clubs were so desperate to sign him in the summer.