How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest?
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-5-1):
6 Bettinelli: Created some late jitters with a weak punch, but immediately made amends by blocking Cafu’s subsequent shot
8 Dijksteel: Hasn’t put a foot wrong all season and looked perfectly comfortable back at right-back rather than in a back three
9 WOOD: Couldn’t have wished for a better performance on his first Championship start – looked perfectly at home at this level
8 McNair: Another excellent defensive display from the Northern Irishman, who also delivered some dangerous dead balls into the box
8 Bola: The most improved player in the Boro squad by a distance this season – won his personal battle with the dangerous Knockaert
7 Tavernier: Troubled the Forest defence with a series of dangerous breaks, although he wasted a great chance by blazing over in the first half
8 Howson: The powerhouse of the Boro team, driving his side forward from the heart of midfield and closing down Forest’s midfielders as soon as they got the ball
4 Morsy: Became embroiled in a series of niggly incidents with Colback and was taken off in the first half before he got himself sent off
7 Saville: Has became a key attacking threat from the heart of midfield – broke forward dangerously, although wasted a good chance by shooting over
7 Coulson: Justified his promotion as he made his first start of the season – got forward effectively down the left-hand side
6 Assombalonga: Should have scored his first goal against Forest as a Boro player, but shot straight at the keeper when clean through in the first half
Subs:
7 Spence (for Morsy, 33): Played as an attacking wide player rather than a full-back and caused problems with his pace and dribbling
5 Akpom (for Assombalonga, 70): Didn’t really have a chance to make an impact in the closing stages, but Warnock will be relieved to have him available again
Johnson (for Coulson, 78)
(not used): Stojanovic (gk), Wing, Browne, Roberts.
NOTTM FOREST (4-2-3-1):
Samba 6; Christie 6, Figueiredo 6, McKenna 6, Bong 6; Colback 5, YATES 6; Knockaert 4, Freeman 5 (Cafu 64, 5), Amoebi 4 (Lolley 46, 4); Guerrero 4 (Taylor 77).
Subs (not used): Smith (gk), Soh, Jenkinson, Sow.
Man Of The Match: NATHAN WOOD – You don’t get many 18-year-old centre-halves playing in the Championship – and you get even fewer who look as composed and accomplished as Boro’s latest academy product.
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