MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):
6 Konstantopoulos: Did not have a save to make, claimed one or two crosses, but did not get his kit dirty;
6 Nsue: Zipped up and down the right flank well and was a useful outlet in attack
6 Kalas: Seldom tested at the back but when called upon was solid and dependable
6 Ayala: Worked well with Kalas and led the line, mopping up any clearance that needed to be made
6 Friend: Was not required to get forward as much, although spurned a second-half chance to put the gloss on victory
6 Leadbitter: Looked after the ball with usual ease, rarely put a pass wrong and was the base for attacks to be formed
6 Clayton: Two sitting midfielders were not required so Clayton was allowed to get forward more and get involved in Boro’s attacking play;
7 Adomah: His best cross of the afternoon came when he didn’t have a boot on, but always showed for the ball and was unlucky not to score
8 FABBRINI: Sliced through Bolton’s defence time and time again, and was the most exciting player on the pitch
6 Downing: Was effective without being spectacular, unlucky not to score in the opening five minutes;
8 Kike: Took his two goals well and could have had a third in the second half
Subs: Stuani (Fabbrini 64) – Arrived at a time where Boro had scaled their attacks down but popped up with a few smart touches.
6 Forshaw (Adomah, 74): Buzzed about but made no real impact.
6 Nugent (Kike 83)
Not used: Mejias, Stephens, Husband, Fry.
BOLTON WANDERERS: AMOS 6; Dervite 4, Holding 4 (Wilson 78), Prince 4; Vela 3, Danns 5, Spearing 4 (Clough 46, 6), Davies 5, Moxey 4; Feeney 5 (Walker 70, 5), Heskey 5. Subs not used: Fitzsimons, Madine, Dobbie, Twardzik.
MAN OF THE MATCH
DIEGO Fabbrini – Brought the Riverside crowd to their feet with a goal and contributed to Boro’s other two, and was a thorn in Bolton’s side throughout
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here