Blackburn v Middlesbrough Report – Middlesbrough Match Report

Britt Assombalonga scored the only goal of the game to give Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough a vital away win at Blackburn Rovers. It was a dominant performance from Boro, who had to respond after a no-show in the midweek game.

The only goal of the game was scored in the 19th minute when Ashley Fletcher made a good run in behind. He capitalised the on the high-ball misjudgment from Charles Mulgrew and delivered a great cross for Assombalonga, who headed the ball into the back of the net. It was his 12th goal of the season, helping Boro to only their third victory in the last 18 meetings with Blackburn.

The hosts got themselves a man down when Derrick Williams got sent off at the stroke of half-time. The defender tried to stop Fletcher from going through on goal and brought him down at the edge of the box. The referee had no hesitation in brandishing the red card to the Blackburn man.

Since then, after half-time, it was one-way traffic and Middlesbrough should be disappointed at not scoring more than once in this game. They had 26 attempts on goal, only seven on target. Lewis Wing made a driving run through midfield and rattled the bar with a dipping, long-range shot.

They did have other chances in both halves when Rovers’ keeper David Raya was tested.

This win helps Boro to leapfrog into the fourth position in the table with 54 points, seven behind second-placed Sheffield United, having played a game less. It was very important for Pulis and his men to win this game after not turning up in the midweek game and had injury issues at the back.

Here’s how their fans reacted after the game:

John Obi Mikel is a different class

— Dylan (@dyljohnson95) February 17, 2019

Everyone performed today, we actually played nice football for once. Don’t get me wrong I am pleased with the 3 pts but I don’t understand how we only scored one goal with 26 shots! Ahh well, doesn’t matter; 3 points! #UTFB

— Mikel Masterclass (@SuperJohnMikel) February 17, 2019

Britt has scored three winners in four away games turning three points into nine. Has to start

— Phil James (@PhilWrightson) February 17, 2019

Name a better championship player than Mikel

— Macaulay Rayner (@macaulayr1) February 17, 2019

While im glad we won we still lack the clincal egde to finish teams off when we are ahead this is something we need work on.

— Shillu (@Shillu__) February 17, 2019

Clean sheet without Ayala or Flint. Sometimes attack is the best form of defence.

— H (@ppnd84) February 17, 2019