Goals:
0-1: Murray (90, in the right place for Friend’s attempted clearance to ricochet off him and fly into the net)
Bookings: Clayton (44, foul); Baldock (61, foul); Propper (68, foul); Izqueirdo (70, foul)
Sending-off: None
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Wythenshawe) – straight forward afternoon for the Premier League referee. 7
Attendance: 20,475
Entertainment: **
Boro Bright
Shots on 3 4
Shots off 13 7
Corners 6 5
Offsides 2 2
Fouls 5 16
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):
6 Randolph: Made a couple of saves, even if he made a mess of one, and not to be blamed for the winner;
6 Shotton: Defended well and his throws caused a few problems
7 Ayala: Had looked like the Ayala of a couple of years ago until he was forced off through injury
7 Gibson: Strong in the tackle and quick off the mark alongside side-kick Ayala
6 Friend: Playing much better and unfortunate to see his clearance fly off Murray and hit the net;
6 Clayton: Steady away in the middle without doing anything special
6 Howson: Looked to keep the ball moving without threading enough balls through
8 TRAORE: Is Boro's main man going forward at the moment but needs to find goals
5 Braithwaite: Looked well short of the confidence he had earlier in the season
5 Bamford: Had an overhead kick go close in the first half but didn't threaten the goal enough
5 Fletcher: One pass through for Traore and an early effort that flew wide
Subs:
Downing (for Braithwaite 56): Looked lively enough after coming on. 6
Assombalonga (for Fletcher 56): Didn't threaten the Brighton net. 5
Fry (for Ayala 65): Slotted in confidently. 5
(not used): Konstantopoulos (gk), Christie, Leadbitter, Johnson.
BRIGHTON: (4-4-1-1): Krul 7; Rosenior 6, Huenemeier 7, Goldson 6, Suttner 6; Knockaert 6, Stephens 5 (Propper 46, 5), Kayal 6, SKALAK 7 (Izqueirdo 61, 5); Baldock 5; Hemed 5 (Murray 71). Subs (not used): Maenpaa (gk), Dunk, Schelotto.
MAN OF THE MATCH: ADAMA Traore - looks a lot more dangerous than he has under previous managers and is shooting too.
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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