How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's 2-0 win at Stoke City?


STOKE (4-5-1):

Butland 6; Smith 4, Batth 5, Chester 4, Martins Indi 4 (Vokes 58, 4); McCLEAN 6, Thompson 5 (Cousins 58,4), Clucas 5, Powell 3, Sorensen 4 (Ince 41, 4); Campbell 5 (Gregory 79).

Subs (not used): Davies (gk), Ward, Oakley-Boothe, Tymon, Collins.


MIDDLESBROUGH (4-1-3-2):

Stojanovic: Made two crucial saves either side of half-time, denying McClean first with his hands, then with his legs 8

Spence: He might be defensively raw, but his pace, energy and direct running help transform Boro’s attacking approach 8

Fry: Looked much more comfortable with Friend alongside him than with either Shotton or Howson against Swansea 7

Friend: As his pace diminishes, so he looks much better at centre-half than full-back – led by example at the heart of the back four 7

Johnson: Replaced the injured Coulson and did well defensively considering he spent part of the game marking the dangerous McClean 7

Howson: Restored to his former position at the heart of midfield and marshalled things effectively from a deep-lying position 7

ROBERTS: Set up Fletcher’s goal with an excellent set-piece and was a threat down the right-hand side all afternoon 8

McNair: Played in an attacking-midfield role and looked comfortable without really threatening the Stoke goal 6

Saville: Put in a hard-working shift, and dropped back into the right-back slot on a number of occasions to cover for Spence 7

Fletcher: Claimed his 11th goal of the season with an excellent glanced header and more than justified his return to the team 8

Assombalonga: Didn’t really have a gilt-edged chance, but ran himself into the ground in a display that proved he remains up for the fight 7


Subs:

Tavernier (for Roberts, 61) : Couldn’t have made a better first impression as he scored within a minute of leaving the bench 7

Wing (for McNair, 63): Did what was asked of him as he came on for the final half-hour of the game 5

Shotton (for Saville, 81)

(not used): Pears (gk), Moukoudi, Wood, Clayton, Morrison, Nmecha.


Man Of The Match: PATRICK ROBERTS – If he plays like this in the remaining seven matches, the Manchester City loanee could hold the key to keeping Middlesbrough out of League One.