Goals:
0-1: Leadbitter (27, sent over a lovely cross to the back post and it took a deflection and hit the woodwork before dropping over the line)
1-1: Gardner (34, afforded the space on the edge of the area to side-foot a lovely curled finish high in to Konstantopoulos’ top left corner)
2-1: Blackstock (65, controlled Antonio’s pass before making the most of the space and beating the Boro keeper with a lovely finish)
Bookings: Leadbitter (43, dissent); Nsue (90, foul)
Referee: Jon Moss (Horsforth) – could have given Forest a penalty but otherwise did well to keep the game flowing. 7
Attendance: 24,200
Entertainment: PP
Forest Boro
Shots on 3 4
Shots off 10 26
Corners 4 9
Offsides 1 0
Fouls 8 12
NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-2-3-1): Darlow 6; Kane 7, Lascelles 7, Wilson 7, Lichaj 5; Mancienne 6, Gardner 7; ANTONIO 7, Lansbury 5 (Osborn 46, 5), Burke 5; Blackstock 6 (Collins 87). Subs: de Vries (gk), Veldwijk, Paterson, Vaughan, Walker.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):
6 Konstantopoulos: Did very little wrong and could not be faulted for either of the Forest goals;
6 Fredericks: Caused problems down the flank even if he was tested by the pace of Antonio before suffering injury
5 Kalas: Had looked solid until Antonio caused him problems in the second half, particularly for the second goal
5 Gibson: Gave Blackstock too much space to turn and score the winner
7 Friend: Constantly looked to get involved going forward and that caused Forest a couple of problems;
6 Leadbitter: A huge slice of fortune about the opener and he got frustrated with a failure to seal the points
7 Clayton: Strong in the tackle and rarely gave the ball away whenever he gained control;
5 Adomah: Started brightly but failed to break in behind the defence as regularly as he would like
7 Tomlin: Playing too deeply at times but still the most likely man to unlock the Forest defence
5 Bamford: One late effort which flew wide was about as close as he came to scoring;
5 Kike: His frustration grew as the minutes ticked by and he wasted a few great positions
Subs:
Nsue (for Fredericks 39): Got forward often enough after his introduction. 5
Vossen (for Adomah 69): Hardly had an impact. 5
Forshaw (for Leadbitter 82)
(not used): Ripley (gk), Whitehead, Reach, Woodgate.
MAN OF THE MATCH: ADAM Clayton – controlled things in the middle and Karanka could have done with his presence in the penalty area.
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