How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's Carabao Cup win over Rochdale?
MIDDLESBROUGH (3-5-2):
7 Lonergan: Made some crucial late saves as Rochdale threw the kitchen sink at Boro’s makeshift defence in the final few minutes
7 Mahmutovic: Faced a stiff physical test in the closing stages, but made a crucial goalline clearance to deny Delaney
6 Wood: Will not have experienced many tougher nights than this, but came through well despite Rochdale’s experience in attack
7 Ayala: Barely had to get out of second gear as he cruised through the first half – and was withdrawn at half-time
7 McNair: Caused a succession of early problems down the right-hand side and looked perfectly comfortable playing at wing-back
6 Besic: Got another 45 minutes under his belt, but was taken off at the interval with Friday’s game at Leeds in mind
5 Leadbitter: Got caught in possession on a couple of occasions and wasn’t really able to dominate at the base of midfield
7 Tavernier: Set up both goals with pinpoint crosses and drifted around the pitch effectively all night
7 Johnson: Broke the deadlock with a clinical low finish and looked at home in the wing-back berth on the left
6 Fletcher: Flashed a couple of first-half efforts wide of the target, but was overshadowed by his attacking partner
8 HUGILL: Led the line impressively all night, and opened his Boro goalscoring account with a powerful second-half header
Subs:
5 Spence (for Ayala, 46): Slotted in at right-back for the second half, and battled away gamely despite Rochdale getting the upper hand late on
5 Brahimi (for Besic, 46): Wasn’t able to get much time on the ball after coming off the bench to make his senior debut
6 Chapman (for Hugill, 59): Almost scored his first senior Boro goal as he curled a fine low effort against the post
(not used): Konstantopoulos (gk), Liddle, Malley, Walker.
ROCHDALE (3-5-2)
Norman 5; McGahey 6, Williams 5, DELANEY 7; Randall 5 (Rafferty 57, 6), Camps 6, Cannon 6, Inman 5 (Dooley 62, 5), Ntlhe 5; Andrew 7, Henderson 6 (Gillam 74).
Subs (not used): Moore (gk), Dooley, Williams, Rathbone, Adshead.
Man Of The Match: JORDAN HUGILL – The Teessider claimed his first goal for his hometown club to cap a fine all-round attacking display.
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