There were 32 years between opposing bosses Michael Carrick and Huddersfield’s Neil Warnock, and there were light years between this Middlesbrough performance and the two league matches that preceded it.
Boro started with new signings Lukas Engel and Emmanuel Latte Lath, giving the Riverside crowd plenty to be excited about, and the team did not let them down. They blasted out of the blocks with an intensity that has been missing so far this season.
Chance after chance came, with Latte Lath having a right-foot curling shot and a sweeping effort from a Marcus Forss cross getting the fans out of their seats. Latte Lath was pacey, explosive and gave the Huddersfield defence no time to rest.
The only thing that was missing from a Boro perspective was a goal while they were on top. Some excellent passing and movement in the first half showed glimpses of what this young side can do. One of the brightest young players at the club, Hayden Hackney, was at the centre of much of what they did well.
Hackney very nearly got on the score sheet in the first half after Latte Lath tracked back and dispossessed a Huddersfield player, with Hackney picking up the loose ball, driving at the Terriers’ back line and just failing to squeeze it past the keeper after a neat one-two with Morgan Rogers.
Missed opportunities
Middlesbrough rued the missed opportunities in the opening 45 minutes as Huddersfield came out – probably after the Warnock hair-dryer treatment – with more impetus. Huddersfield scored immediately after half-time after a fortuitous corner saw Fry slice into his own net. The Terriers pressed Boro hard for a ten-minute period after half-time but then began to tire.
Carrick’s players recovered well as Huddersfield faded and Hackney (instrumental in this improved performance) hit an absolute belter to draw them level. After more good work from Rogers, who truly looks at home in a more familiar attacking midfield role, Hackney received the pass, dropped his shoulder, jinked inside and, from the left corner of the box, pinged a right-foot shot that rippled around the far corner of the net, sending the Riverside faithful into raptures.
Carrick made some changes as the game approached the final quarter, with McGree and Crooks introduced. The home side kept knocking on the Huddersfield door and big opportunities were missed, with Silvera unfortunately, once again the one most guilty of not taking a very presentable goal scoring opportunity.
Off the mark
The fact that these new signings are getting on the ball and making lots of chances will have been heartening for Carrick though. Lukas Engel offered very good balance down the left, and allowed Silvera to drift inside, as McGree did similarly last season.
Rav van den Berg also made his first league start at right-back and was solid enough too, given that English football has such a different tempo to any of its counterparts.
They did not manage the full three points, but they got off the mark in terms of goals and points for the new campaign and there were plenty of positive individual performances to report. There are 43 games still left in the Championship and on this showing, Boro will be at the right end of the table come May.
Boro player ratings
Seny Dieng-7
His usual confident self. A solid save from Pearson in the first half, nearly lost possession trying to play out too calmly. Gave his defenders an ear-bashing when neccessary. Not too much he could have done about the goal.
Rav van den Berg-7
Solid if unspectacular from the 19-year-old Dutchman. Gave the ball away once or twice but showed plenty of courage and showed that he is a very competent defender. Also, as you would expect from a player who is a centre-back by trade, he gave Boro a presence aerially.
Dael Fry-6
Started well and looked to have been given licence to step forward more, certainly in the first half. He will be disappointed with the own-goal that skipped up off the turf, hitting him on the way into the net. Tested with plenty of balls into the box from Huddersfield’s impressive wide players.
Darragh Lenihan-7
Shepherded the back four well and as always, led the team with very few mistakes made. As with Fry, also made some forays into the opposition half in an attempt to maintain possession and pin Huddersfield in. The back four will play together more as the season develops, hopefully the performances will improve and the elusive clean sheet will soon come.
Lukas Engel-7
Tenacious, athletic and looked to support in attack. He will only improve as he acclimatises, but gave a very decent account of himself on his debut against some good wide men. Offered a little insight into what he is about with an excellent cross into the area.
Hayden Hackney-9
What can you say about the ‘Redcar Iniesta’? He plays in a two-man midfield that sits behind three attacking midfielders and a striker, and he still could have easily come away with two goals on Saturday. Carrick has challenged the Boro local lad to add more goals this season, and he opened his account for the campaign with a beauty. Good understanding with Howson and an exquisite through ball that nearly led to a goal. Best of the Boro bunch.
Jonny Howson-8
A fantastic display from Boro’s evergreen captain. Always industrious, made space when players needed options and broke up the play with his immense reading of the game. Howson at 35 is still one of the most important cogs of this predominantly young side and he proved it with the way he kept the ball moving, always prompting and probing.
Marcus Forss-7
Did well in the first half, constantly trying to fashion a yard of space to shoot. Hit one shot early in the game with plenty of ferocity with his weaker left foot that drew a good save from the opposition keeper. Got behind full-back on couple of occasions too. Was taken off in the second half as his impact faded.
Morgan Rogers-8
What a difference a few yards makes. Playing in a more familiar ten position, Rogers looked very comfortable and made so many telling key passes. For a player of his height and frame, he has such good feet and balance. Made some good runs from deep and played well weighted passes in the final third. Early days, but he could become an integral component to this Boro line-up over the long season ahead.
Sam Silvera-6
A strange game in many ways for Silvera. His approach play and that low centre of gravity that allows him to change direction so well is a real plus for Boro. He can go past players with his trickery, and caused problems in this match and had a couple of long-range efforts, but he squandered a couple of easier chances where he simply had to make the keeper make a save. He showed exactly what he has in his locker, but showed where he needs to improve also.
Emmanuel Latte Lath-7
An electric start from the new striker. He set off after every ball and forced mistakes with his constant pressing. He showed an infectious energy that was soon matched by his teammates. Had some early efforts on goal and made some runs in behind the defence and will no doubt be a favourite if he continues with explosive displays like this. Looked understandably fatigued as game wore on.
Subs
Riley McGree-7
Some eyebrows were raised when he did not start. Showed attacking intent and energy when he came on.
Matt Crooks-7
Some good passes, including a slide rule pass late on that nearly led to a Silvera goal.
Isaiah Jones-6
Little chance to make an impact.