01-01-2018, 20:36
Preston North End 2 (Robinson, Hugill) Middlesbrough 3 (Ayala 2 Howson)
PNE: Maxwell, Clarke, Huntington, Davies, Woods, Pearson, Johnson (Gallagher 78), Barkhuizen (Horgan 78), Harrop, Robinson, Hugill. Subs (not used): Cunningham, Browne, Welsh, O'Connor, Rudd.
Boro: Randolph, Christie (Shotton 59), Gibson, Ayala, Friend, Guedioura (Gestede 50), Howson, Leadbitter, Downing, Traore, Assombalonga (Bamford 50). Subs (not used): Fletcher, Johnson, Baker, Konstantopoulos.
Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire)
Attendance: 15,101 (2,487 away)
Still have not beaten Boro in a league game since 1972 at half time 2-1 up it looked as we would get rid of that statistic however have to say we were slightly overpowered by the visitors in the second half.
North End's first half performance was as good as there has been for a good while, playing some fantastic football and with no exaggeration could have led 5-1 at the break two great Randolph saves and a header against the bar by Barkhuizen on the stroke of half time, Hugill and Robinson being denied by the keeper.
Boro took the lead from a free kick, Downing from the left with the kick Ayala rose easily above a static defence to head past Maxwell, soft goal to concede. We were level almost straight away and for the first time this season scored in the first 15 minutes, nice goal as well, Clarke and Barkhuizen interchange of passes, Barkie's cross into the box and Robinson heads home. From then until half time Boro rarely got a kick, defending deep and firing the ball forward as Pulis's 901 formation limited any attacking intent they might have had. They were dreadful in the first half and before half time we deservedly took the lead another cross from the right, this time Hugill headed home possible deflection on the ball past Randolp.
Boro booed off at half time.
Second half never really got to grips with them and bringing on Gestede made a difference as did Boro winning the midfield battle. It took them until half way through the half to level Howson cleverly dummied twon defenders found a bit of space and fired past Maxwell from 20 yards clever goal that one. Ten muinutes later it was 3-2 to Boro, although whether it was a corner that led to a goal is possibly in dispute, North End switched off, quick short corner flicked onto the back post were Ayala headed hoem again. Boro sat deep and invited us to attack, never really looked like scoring again and Boro took the points. Dispappointing result but up against a side who spent massively in summer and have a lot of Premiership experience, also looked some tired lads in white shirts, but a bit of a break until the next league game and the signing of Louis Moult means a bit more competition for places, done alright this season still a long way to go.
Preston boss Alex Neil:
"I don't even think a draw would have been a fair result, I thought we deserved to win. I have a mixture of emotions because it's so difficult to be disappointed with my players.
"The simple fact is, at this level, the difference can be clearing your lines and taking your chances when they come along.
"The biggest frustration is the kind of goals that we've lost. We didn't really do well enough at certain times in the game."
Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis:
"I was pleased to come in 2-1 down at half-time. I thought Preston were really very good first half, and we sat off them and allowed them to play.
"We showed a lot of character second half which was very encouraging.
"I don't know the players that well so it will take me a while to know what I have got and what I haven't got.
"I will be doing my best to get this club back into the Premier League as soon as possible."
PNE: Maxwell, Clarke, Huntington, Davies, Woods, Pearson, Johnson (Gallagher 78), Barkhuizen (Horgan 78), Harrop, Robinson, Hugill. Subs (not used): Cunningham, Browne, Welsh, O'Connor, Rudd.
Boro: Randolph, Christie (Shotton 59), Gibson, Ayala, Friend, Guedioura (Gestede 50), Howson, Leadbitter, Downing, Traore, Assombalonga (Bamford 50). Subs (not used): Fletcher, Johnson, Baker, Konstantopoulos.
Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire)
Attendance: 15,101 (2,487 away)
Still have not beaten Boro in a league game since 1972 at half time 2-1 up it looked as we would get rid of that statistic however have to say we were slightly overpowered by the visitors in the second half.
North End's first half performance was as good as there has been for a good while, playing some fantastic football and with no exaggeration could have led 5-1 at the break two great Randolph saves and a header against the bar by Barkhuizen on the stroke of half time, Hugill and Robinson being denied by the keeper.
Boro took the lead from a free kick, Downing from the left with the kick Ayala rose easily above a static defence to head past Maxwell, soft goal to concede. We were level almost straight away and for the first time this season scored in the first 15 minutes, nice goal as well, Clarke and Barkhuizen interchange of passes, Barkie's cross into the box and Robinson heads home. From then until half time Boro rarely got a kick, defending deep and firing the ball forward as Pulis's 901 formation limited any attacking intent they might have had. They were dreadful in the first half and before half time we deservedly took the lead another cross from the right, this time Hugill headed home possible deflection on the ball past Randolp.
Boro booed off at half time.
Second half never really got to grips with them and bringing on Gestede made a difference as did Boro winning the midfield battle. It took them until half way through the half to level Howson cleverly dummied twon defenders found a bit of space and fired past Maxwell from 20 yards clever goal that one. Ten muinutes later it was 3-2 to Boro, although whether it was a corner that led to a goal is possibly in dispute, North End switched off, quick short corner flicked onto the back post were Ayala headed hoem again. Boro sat deep and invited us to attack, never really looked like scoring again and Boro took the points. Dispappointing result but up against a side who spent massively in summer and have a lot of Premiership experience, also looked some tired lads in white shirts, but a bit of a break until the next league game and the signing of Louis Moult means a bit more competition for places, done alright this season still a long way to go.
Preston boss Alex Neil:
"I don't even think a draw would have been a fair result, I thought we deserved to win. I have a mixture of emotions because it's so difficult to be disappointed with my players.
"The simple fact is, at this level, the difference can be clearing your lines and taking your chances when they come along.
"The biggest frustration is the kind of goals that we've lost. We didn't really do well enough at certain times in the game."
Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis:
"I was pleased to come in 2-1 down at half-time. I thought Preston were really very good first half, and we sat off them and allowed them to play.
"We showed a lot of character second half which was very encouraging.
"I don't know the players that well so it will take me a while to know what I have got and what I haven't got.
"I will be doing my best to get this club back into the Premier League as soon as possible."
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People got to shout to stay alive
People got to shout to stay alive