How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's 1-1 draw with Blackburn?
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-3-3):
7 Randolph: Couldn’t have done anything with Mulgrew’s free-kick, and made important saves from Graham and Conway
7 Shotton: Made a welcome return to the side – shoring up the right-hand side of the Boro defence and offering a threat from his long throws
8 AYALA: Brilliant at the heart of the Boro back four – his last-ditch sliding tackle to deny Armstrong was one of the highlights of the game
7 Flint: Another solid showing from the centre-half, although he might feel he should have done better with an early headed chance
7 Friend: Was a real shining light in the second half, driving Boro forward with his surges down the left-hand flank
3 Besic: Only has himself to blame for his dismissal – passed up a number of chances to move the ball on and paid the price
5 Clayton: Looked off the pace in the first half – it was telling that Boro looked much more effective after he was replaced
6 Howson: Improved as the game wore on and was playing in a much more prominent position for most of the second half
5 Downing: Found himself on the back foot for most of the first half, and was replaced as part of Pulis’ half-time overhaul
6 Hugill: Battled away gamely up front, and seemed much more comfortable with Assombalonga alongside him in the second half
5 Fletcher: Extremely unfortunate that his first league start for more than a year ended before the half-time break
Subs:
7 Wing (for Fletcher, 32): His drive and energy made a major difference in the second half – is it time for him to be a regular starter?
7 Assombalonga (for Downing, 46): He might miss chances, but it’s hard to think of any other Boro player that could have scored his second-half goal
7 Saville (for Clayton, 46): Provided some welcome thrust and energy at the base of midfield in the second half
(not used): Lonergan (gk), Batth, McNair, Tavernier.
BLACKBURN (4-4-2):
Raya 6; Nyambe 6, Downing 6, Mulgrew 8, Williams 6; Evans 5, Reed 7 (Brereton 84), Smallwood 6 (Rothwell 75), Conway 6 (Armstrong 70, 5); DACK 8, Graham 7.
Subs (not used): Leutwiler (gk), Bell, Lenihan, Palmer.
Man Of The Match: BRADLEY DACK – The Blackburn forward caused a succession of problems as he dropped deep to thread balls through to Danny Graham.
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