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.
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