How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's 2-0 win over Wigan?


MIDDLESBROUGH (4-1-4-1):

7 Randolph: Didn’t have a lot to do, but claimed a second-half effort from Powell and was never troubled by Wigan’s balls into the box

8 Fry: Hasn’t looked perturbed by his switch to right-back – defended excellently and delivered some fine first-half crosses into the area

8 Batth: Preferred to Ayala, who was available after suspension, and produced another rock-solid display at the heart of the back four

8 Flint: Marked Windass out of the game and has been one of the most consistent players in the whole of the Championship so far this season

8 Friend: His defensive work was flawless and he won Boro’s first-half penalty with a rampaging run into the box

6 Clayton: Held things together neatly at the base of midfield and prevented Wigan’s midfielders from breaking into the box

7 Downing: His performance levels never seem to drop, and it is a real rarity when he gives the ball away – reliability personified

6 Besic: Tried to break forward, but had one of those afternoons when the ball didn’t quite drop for him – never stopped plugging away though

7 Howson: Played some excellent first-half balls into Hugill and saw a second-half shot deflect just over the crossbar

7 Braithwaite: Set up Hugill’s second goal with a dangerous cross from the byline and combined effectively with the striker throughout the first half

8 HUGILL: Opened his Championship account for Boro from the penalty spot, and added a second goal thanks to a fine piece of close control


Subs:

4 Assombalonga (for Hugill, 68): Added some pace on the counter-attack, but took the wrong option on a number of occasions late on

Wing (for Braithwaite, 76)

Saville (for Besic, 83)

(not used): Konstantopoulos (gk), Ayala, McNair, Gestede.


WIGAN (4-4-2):

Walton 5; James 6, Kipre 4, Burn 5, Robinson 6; Byrne 5, EVANS 6, Gibson 4, Roberts 5 (Naismith 82); Windass 4 (McManaman 74), Powell 5 (Vaughan 74).

Subs (not used): Jones (gk), Bruce, Lopes, Garner.


Man Of The Match:  JORDAN HUGILL – The Teessider has finally added goals to his effective all-round displays, and is now firmly established as Tony Pulis’ first-choice centre-forward.