A frustrating afternoon saw Middlesbrough’s six-game winning streak halted by Stoke City as the visitors won 2-0 in what was a comfortable encounter for them.
An early unopposed header from the aptly named Michael Rose-who got above everybody in the Boro box-gave Stoke the lead in the eighth minute. It got worse before half-time as Lukas Engel was left isolated with two players to contend with and the ensuing overlap allowed Mehdi Leris to smash home in the far corner from the right-side of the box.
In truth, Middlesbrough looked out of sorts for the whole game, sloppy passes, no snap in the tackle, lack of craft and invention in the final third. Here are the ratings from the disappointing home defeat.
Seny Dieng-6
Has been imperious of late, but even the Senegalese international was not faultless today. His body weight going one way and the ball travelling away from him, he let a soft header through his grasp for the first goal.
Rav van den Berg-6
Wasn’t his finest display, but playing out of position, he was fairly solid for the most part, not really helped by those around him. Struggled to forge a relationship down the right with Jones and was replaced by Dijksteel in the hope that his countryman would offer a bit more going forward.
Dael Fry-5
A very tired and shaky display from the Boro man. Stoke’s movement caused him problems all afternoon and some of ‘The Lighthouse’s’ distribution was poor. He looked as though he was wading through treacle against the Stoke attackers.
Paddy McNair-4
Paddy has been in good form but today was a horror show for the Northern Ireland international. Slow to close down, bamboozled by Stoke’s play and left Lukas Engel isolated on a number of occasions, one instance led to the second goal. Also fortunate to escape further punishment as he yanked down a Stoke player who had got goal-side, earning himself a yellow card as a result.
Lukas Engel-5
Could not get going down the left, and when he did sprint into space, the work was often undone by a sloppy square pass to nobody. More industry than ingenuity. Unlucky to be stranded on occasions due to a lack of protection both from McNair but also Greenwood infront of him.
Jonny Howson-6
Did try to inject some urgency into Boro’s play, but it was like trying to blow a balloon up that had a gaping hole in it. The captain had a couple of efforts on goal as he tried to drive his troops forward, but it wasn’t to be. It also felt like Hackney has to be the common denominator in that midfield pair.
Dan Barlaser-5
A couple of well delivered set-pieces is the only thing that saved him from a lower score in truth. Not the type of game for him to flourish. Barlaser thrives on having a bit more time on the ball, Stoke chased and harried and bullied him off the ball too often. Brushed off the ball just outside his own area on one occasion that could have easily been punished.
Isaiah Jones-5
Very early in the game, he pushed it 5 yards past full-back Enda Stevens and absolutely zipped past him to whip a ball into the area. Sadly, that was as threatening as he got, the Stoke defenders shackled him very well throughout the game. Some misplaced passes and touches blotted his performance and you could see the frustration eat away at him as the game wore on.
Matt Crooks-6
Probably Boro’s brightest player, but nobody matched his sharpness on a day where Boro could have played 300 minutes and probably would not have scored. Deserved better from his teammates today, Crooksy played well in patches but he may have been the one who lost the runner for the first goal.
Sam Greenwood-5
You can see the ability he possesses, he is neat and skillful, but his dwelling on the ball let him down, as did his decision making in the final third. Must watch his temperament when things are not going his way. Looked to be a couple of moments where his composure was lost. Gave way to Morgan Rogers.
Josh Coburn-6
Stoke played a high line, which did not suit Coburn whose top attribute is not pace. They knew he would not get in behind too often, but he did try to compete and fashion himself a couple of chances. He will learn from such a difficult afternoon, but Boro did not play to his strengths in this match.
Substitutes
Morgan Rogers-5
Hard for him to make an impact in such a stop-start second half. Stoke managed the game very well and did not allow any rhythm. He did manage to get down the sides a few times.
Emannuel Latte Lath-5
As you would expect from Latte Lath, here, there and everywhere. Not much of a strategy and all a bit too desperate. Hardly any opportunities created.
Anfernee Dijksteel-5
Struggled to attack the right-side. Defended okay as Stoke sat back.