HOW we rated the players after Middlesbrough's win over Blackburn.

Goals:

0-1: Assombalonga (19, arrived at the back post to head Fletcher’s deflected shot over the line after Mulgrew error)

Referee: Darren Bond (Preston) – got the red card decision spot on and otherwise controlled the game well. 7

Bookings: Rodwell (33, foul)

Sending-off: Derrick Williams (45, professional foul)

Attendance: 13,249

Entertainment: **

            Blackburn Boro

Shots on  1               7

Shots off 4               19

Corners   4               5

Offsides   2              2

Fouls       8              9

BLACKBURN (4-2-3-1): Raya 7; Bennett 5, Rodwell 4 (Nyambe 46, 6), Mulgrew 4, Williams 4; Evans 4 (Travis 46, 6), Reed 6; Brereton 4 (BELL 46, 7), Dack 6, Armstrong 5; Graham 5. Subs (not used): Leutwiler (gk), Smallwood, Nuttall, Conway.

MIDDLESBROUGH (5-3-1-1):

7 Randolph: Had to be alert to make one fantastic save from Dack late in the second half that prevented a draw;

8 HOWSON: Hugely impressive down the right flank and it will be no surprise to see him stay there for a while now

7 Fry: Played the ball up for the opening goal and generally looked more at home than he has in recent games

6 Shotton: Did well to keep the defence in shape even if he did get away with Graham getting in behind him once

6 Friend: Had defended well and looked comfortable on the left of three before being forced to withdraw

8 Saville: A similar display to Howson on the opposite side and can be proud of how he did in an unfamiliar role

7 Mikel: Once again appeared to cruise through the game without breaking sweat and still looked impressive

7 Wing: Crashed an effort against the bar and was always at the centre of making things happen in the middle in an attacking sense

6 Besic: A better display from the Bosnian in the middle without finding the form of last season

7 Fletcher: Should have scored but otherwise had a hand in the goal, was lively and contributed to getting a man sent off

7 Assombalonga: Managed to hit the winner, could have had another and was lively from the outset

Subs:

McNair (for Friend 60): Slotted in to the back three well enough and could be there again against QPR. 6

Downing (for Besic 73)

Hugill (for Fletcher 81)

(not used): Konstantopoulos (gk), Clayton, Tavernier, van la Parra

MAN OF THE MATCH: Jonny Howson – the former Leeds man was always looking to get to the byline down the right and looked like he enjoyed it.