“He should start every game”, “Class” – Some Middlesbrough fans single out star performer + Match report

Match Report: Stoke City 0-0 Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough were held to a 0-0 draw at the Bet365 stadium by Stoke City, eventually stopping Tony Pulis’ men from going top of the Championship. However, it was the home team who had the better exchanges in the final third, with the Boro defenders doing their job diligently to stop the Potters.

Stoke’s front three of Tom Ince, Benik Afobe and Saido Berahino all had clear chances to open the scoring but the away side defended for their lives at times, a testament to their resilience to not concede a goal.

Jack Butland had to make a couple of good saves as well to deny Jordan Hugill and Jonny Howson when Boro looked for a winner late on. Martin Braithwaite and Stewart Downing forced the England number two to make important saves in the first half, while Darren Randolph had to keep out Ryan Shawcross’ header.

In all honesty, Hugill should have put the visitors ahead when he was played clean through with only the keeper to beat. However, the latter did well to make himself big and divert the effort wide. The Boro goalkeeper had to crucially intervene a James McClean cross from reaching the tall presence of Peter Crouch.

Despite a goalless result, there was no shortage of attacking endeavour from both teams, who seemed determined to win three points.

On the balance of play, it was a point gained for both sides but Pulis and his men should be disappointed. They had a chance to go top of the table as Sheffield United lost to Nottingham Forest, however, it was not to be for one of the league’s better teams.

They are now two points behind the leaders Norwich City, to whom they have already lost once in September and will meet again in March.

Here’s how the Boro supporters reacted after the game. Safe to say that they were praising on-loan defender Danny Batth, who made some vital blocks. A few were disappointed with the fact that they couldn’t score.