Middlesbrough lost 2-1 away at Preston North End in the Championship tonight, with a key moment in the first half proving to be a talking point.
Middlesbrough headed to Deepdale looking to pick up a first win in four games in all competitions, with just one win in their last five Championship fixtures.
Michael Carrick‘s side started the night in 13th place of the table and despite a fairly opening from both teams, started the better.
Boro were dominating possession and playing in Preston’s half. But the home side would take an unexpected lead through Liam Millar in the 23rd minute.
The second half started slowly but Middlesbrough quickly came into life, and quickly found an equaliser thanks to a stunning first goal for the club from January arrival Finn Azaz.
But Preston were back in front almost instantly thanks to Emil Riis, and despite the efforts of Boro and some decent spells in attack, they suffered another loss.
Craig Johnson stunned by denied penalty call
After going a goal behind, the game opened up a bit more.
Middlesbrough were looking to get forward and in one attack, Marcus Forss turned Preston’s Robbie Brady inside the Lilywhites’ penalty area, and Brady then appeared to hold Forss back.
The Boro man went down, but Carrick’s men were denied a penalty; much to the disbelief of journalist Craig Johns, who posted on X:
Penalty or not, Middlesbrough need to be better
Tonight was a frustrating watch for Middlesbrough fans.
One minute, their team plays some really nice football; passing it around from side to side, putting it in the box, but just lacking that quality at the last moment.
Then the next minute, Boro are made to pay for their lack of cutting edge.
Preston didn’t play all that well tonight and a draw probably would’ve been a fair result. But they found a second goal through Boro bogey man Riis who took his chance; something Middlesbrough players just don’t do enough of right now.
Whilst the finger may be pointed at the referee Tony Harrington, Carrick and owner Steve Gibson probably know that they just don’t have the players capable of firstly playing this Carrick style efficiently, and secondly competing with some of the top teams in the league.
Middlesbrough now find themselves in 13th place of the Championship table and seven points behind Norwich City in 6th, with a trip to league leaders Leicester City on the agenda this weekend.