MIDDLESBROUGH (4-5-1):
6 Guzan: Made a couple of routine late saves to ensure Boro kept a clean sheet, but was not really extended
7 Chambers: Did well at right-back for almost an hour, and then stepped it up again as he was shuffled inside to cover at centre-half
5 Ayala: Shouldn’t have been sent off, although there was no need to go in as strongly given Forestieri’s position on the pitch
8 BERNARDO: Marked Fletcher out of the game at the heart of the Boro back four and repelled a series of late Owls attacks
6 Friend: Shut down Wednesday’s right-hand side in the closing stages, but wasn’t able to make any telling overlapping runs
6 Stuani: Finished the game strongly as Boro impressed on the counter-attack and set up de Roon’s goal with a shot that was saved
7 Leadbitter: Got the ball rolling with a superbly-struck free-kick and provided most of the energy at the heart of the Boro midfield
6 Clayton: Shut things down at the base of Boro’s midfield, although he was withdrawn for the final half-hour as Karanka changed things
8 De Roon: Played with a fair degree of attacking freedom in the final half-hour, and was rewarded with his stoppage-time goal
6 Traore: Barely featured in the first half, but his pace became more of a factor as Boro looked to break in the closing stages
6 Negredo: His perseverance was rewarded as he claimed his first goal of 2017, and he was here, there and everywhere in the closing stages
Subs:
6 Fabio (for Traore, 62): Slotted in effectively at right-back and ensured Wednesday’s attackers were not able to pull to the left-hand side
6 Downing (for Clayton, 62): Helped get Boro on to the front foot in the closing stages and was a successful alteration
(not used): Konstantopoulos (gk), Gibson, Forshaw, Gestede, Rhodes.
SHEFF WED (4-4-1-1):
Wildsmith 4; Palmer 5 (Joao 71), Lees 4, Loovens 5, Pudil 5; Wallace 5 (McManaman 46, 4), Jones 6, BANNAN 7, Reach 6; Forestieri 6; Fletcher 4 (Nuhui 71).
Subs (not used): Dawson (gk), Semedo, Hunt, Sasso.
Man Of The Match: BERNARDO ESPINOSA – Having performed superbly as he made his debut at Old Trafford, the centre-half was every bit as impressive again here.
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