How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's 2-2 draw at QPR?


QPR (5-3-2):

Lumley 6; Kane 6, Hall 7, Cameron 5, Wallace 6, Manning 7; EZE 8, Ball 5, Amos 6 (Scowen 61, 5); Chair 6 (Hugill 61, 6), Wells 6.

Subs (not used): Barnes (gk), Pugh, Mlakar, Osayi-Samuel, Smith.


MIDDLESBROUGH (3-5-2):

7 Randolph: Might have done better with QPR’s second goal, but made two excellent stops from Hall and another fine second-half save from Hugill

6 Fry: Made some important interventions, but wasn’t able to stop QPR’s players from causing a succession of problems from set-pieces

6 Ayala: Held things together as the central of Boro’s three centre-halves and made some well-timed tackles

7 Friend: Returned to action despite only having three training sessions under his belt and looked like he had never been away

7 Howson: Got forward effectively down the right-hand side and delivered an excellent cross for Assombalonga’s opener

7 McNair: Boro look a much more threatening side when he plays in midfield – got forward effectively to support his forwards

6 Wing: Has dislodged Clayton from the holding midfield role and knitted play together effectively with some neat short passes

6 Tavernier: Started slowly, but improved as the game wore on and became an important attacking influence in the second half

7 Johnson: Looks well suited to the wing-back role – was always looking to get on the front foot and drive down the left flank

7 Fletcher: Put in a real shift as he returned from injury – linked effectively with Assombalonga and was constantly harrying the QPR defence

8 ASSOMBALONGA: Took his two goals superbly, converting Howson’s cross with a neat header and holding his nerve to roll home in the second half


Subs:

6 Dijksteel (for Howson, 65): Added some athleticism and energy down the right-hand side in the closing stages

Clayton (for Tavernier, 77)

(not used): Pears (gk), Coulson, Liddle, Walker, O’Neill.


Man Of The Match: BRITT ASSOMBALONGA – The Boro striker put last weekend’s horror miss at Derby County behind him as he provided a timely reminder of his goalscoring prowess.