QPR (3-5-2):

Smithies 5; Onuoha 5, Lynch 6, Robinson 6; Furlong 6, Scowen 6 (Eze 70, 6), Luongo 5, FREEMAN 7, Bidwell 5 (Osayi-Samuel 46, 6); Oteh 5 (Smith 46, 6), Washington 6.

Subs (not used): Ingram (gk), Manning, Baptiste, Wszolek.


MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):

6 Randolph: Given a scare early on when Robinson drove just wide and made a crucial late deny to deny Lynch to preserve his clean sheet

6 Shotton: Didn't get forward like Friend on the opposite flank but did his job defensively with efficiency. Solid

7 Ayala: Was in the right place at the right time to grab the all-important breakthrough. Did not put a foot wrong at the other end

7 Gibson: Had his hands full when giant striker Smith was introduced at the break but handled him without fuss

7 Friend: A rare goal, but he will still be savouring that wonder strike which flew in from distance. He looked as stunned as anyone when the ball hit the back of the net

7 Leadbitter: A steady and calming presence in shielding his back four. Grew in influence as the game developed and never afraid to put his foot in

7 Howson: Along with Leadbitter, Howson won his battle in the engine room to put his team-mates on the front foot. Can be content with his showing

8 TRAORE: Capped a man of the match display with a late third. Often frustrates but ran the hosts ragged and deserved to break his duck with his long-awaited first Boro goal

6 Downing: Unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet as he saw countless goalbound shots blocked. A steady, if unspectacular showing

5 Bamford: Showed glimpses of his talent without ever looking threatening. Could find himself under pressure to keep his place

6 Assombalonga: Had a real battle with QPR's three-man defence. A quiet game by his standards but still kept the home side on their toes while on the pitch


Subs:

7 Gestede (for Assombalonga, 69): Pushing for a start. Denied by Robinson's clearance off his own line before seeing a header pushed out late on

Clayton (for Bamford, 72)

Christie (for Downing, 87)

(not used): Konstantopoulos (gk), Braithwate, Fletcher, Johnson.


Man of the Match: ADAMA TRAORE – His powerful and direct running left the hosts with headaches as they were forced to regularly double up.