Goals:

0-1: Mowatt (3, drilled a deflected shot into the bottom corner after Cook intercepted Mejias’ wayward throw)

Bookings: Bellusci (23, foul), Bamba (57, foul), Forshaw (80, foul)

Referee: Andre Marriner (Sheldon) – Somewhat inconsistent in determining what was a foul and what wasn’t, but his performance didn’t affect the outcome of the game 5

Attendance: 25,531

Entertainment: ****

 

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2):

4 Mejias: Ultimately cost Boro the game with an errant early throw that was intercepted in the build up to Leeds’ opener

6 Nsue: Restored to right-back after playing in midfield at St Andrew’s and looked comfortable throughout – a useful asset on the overlap

6 Kalas: Didn’t look out of place at centre-half and read the game well, although his lack of height meant he couldn’t dominate in the air

7 Gibson: Showed no ill effects after his error on Wednesday and marked Morison out of the game with a minimum of fuss

6 Friend: Defended resolutely throughout and exhibited some useful link-up play with Reach down the left-hand side

7 Adomah: Provided a considerable threat down the right-hand side, but wasted a decent first-half opportunity when he couldn’t get the ball under control

6 Leadbitter: Drove Boro forward from his central-midfield position but the ball wouldn’t really drop for him in the penalty area

7 Clayton: Justified his recall ahead of Forshaw with an aggressive, high-tempo display that helped Boro control the midfield area

6 Reach: Showed flashes of inspiration down the left and delivered an excellent cross for Adomah, but dropped out of the game before his withdrawal

8 VOSSEN: Was the key figure in the first half as he dropped deep to link midfield with attack and forced a number of fine saves from Silvestri

7 Kike: Came close on a number of occasions, with the pick of his efforts a swivelled shot that was tipped over the crossbar

 

Subs:

Tomlin (for Reach, 57): Brought on down the left-hand side, but slightly unbalanced things as he looked to cut inside 5

Bamford (for Nsue, 66): A right-wing role didn’t really play to his strengths, although his pace asked questions of the Leeds defence 6

Forshaw (for Leadbitter, 79)

(not used): Ripley (gk), Husband, Omeruo, Whitehead.

 

LEEDS (4-5-1):

SILVESTRI 9; Wootton 7, Bamba 9, Bellusci 7 (Cooper 90), C Taylor 6; Byram 5, Cook 7, Austin 5, Murphy 5, Mowatt 6; Morison 4

Subs (not used): S Taylor (gk), Cani, Berardi, Sloth, Antenucci, Sharp.

 

Man Of The Match: MARCO SILVESTRI – The Leeds goalkeeper repelled everything that Middlesbrough threw at him.