Match Ratings: Middlesbrough 3 Sheffield Wednesday 1

MIDDLESBROUGH (3-4-2-1):

6 Archer: Did what was asked of him with a couple of routine saves – has looked solid since coming into the team

8 Hall: Sported a headband after his injury issues in the week and was a dominant presence at the heart of Boro’s backline

7 McNair: Was his usual solid self at the back and delivered some useful set-pieces into the box in the second half

7 Bola: Continues to look at home as a centre-half and stepped out of defence neatly on a couple of occasions

6 Kebano: Delivered the cross for Coburn’s goal and continues to look comfortable playing as a wing-back

7 Howson: Mopped up effectively in front of the Boro backline and made a number of useful interceptions

7 Saville: Covered a lot of ground at the heart of midfield and came close with a second-half header that was saved

6 Johnson: Good forward effectively down the left-hand side and played some useful balls into the area

6 Watmore: Scored his eighth goal of the season as he stabbed home from close range – has been a really astute acquisition

8 BOLASIE: Opened the scoring with a deflected strike and caused problems whenever he ran at the Wednesday defence

4 Akpom: Wasn’t able to make any kind of an impact against the Wednesday defence – his display further highlighted the need for attacking changes

Subs:

8 Coburn (for Akpom, 65): Enjoyed a dream home debut as he headed home Kebano’s cross to claim his first senior goal

Spence (for Kebano, 79)

Malley (for Bolasie, 89)

(not used): Bettinelli (gk), Robinson, Kokolo, Hackney.

SHEFF WED (3-4-2-1):

Westwood 6; Hutchinson 6, Lees 6 (Urhoghide 45, 5), Borner 3 (Hunt 82); Palmer 4, Pelupessy 4, Bannan 5, Reach 5; GREEN 6 (Harris 82), Paterson 4 (Rhodes 71); Windass 4.

Subs (not used): Wildsmith (gk), Penney, Shaw, Dele-Bashiru, Kachunga.

Man Of The Match: YANNICK BOLASIE – The Everton loanee gets better with every performance – it would be quite a coup if Boro were able to sign him permanently this summer.