One down 45 to go and a decent one to start with, although there were no goals this was an entertaining reintroduction to life in the Championship. On a humid Sunday afternoon in front of 15974 fans North End and Middlesbrough fought out a very competitive game.
Given the standard of opposition today this was a good North End performance which if they had taken their chances they maybe could have won.
Two early chances in the first 10 minutes should really have led to two goals, first Wright should have buried a heady from a corner and for Boro Leadbetter got into a great position after a one two before failing to hit the target.
Boro dominated the early stages and a mazy run from full back Friend was only stopped by a great tackle by Wright. As with a lot of games last season North End grew into the game after about 20 minutes and had a great chance to score however Keane's shot was cleared from the line by Friend, in the follow up Garner's shot was blocked by keepers Konstantopoulos's chest and there were solid claims for a penalty as Garner was wrestled to the ground by Friend.
The second half was shaded by Boro they made the ball and North End work and started to be more of a threat, two headers from Ayala went harmlessly wide, however the pace of Adomah caused problems but Boro lacked a real goalscorer so much so that North End keeper Pickford didn't have a shot to save. As the game became stretched in the latter stages Adomah had a shot blocked by two North Enders whilst Garner should have buried a header right at the end, maybe a bit harsh but could possible have sneaked all three points with better finishing but cannot really complain about the performance they put in a really good shift.
Out of the newcomers Cunningham and Keane played well, Vermijl looked steady although his hospital pass got Clarke a booking and Pickford did not really have a lot to do. Boro's young centre back Fry played well and they are hard to break down and will be tough to beat, all in all a satisfying result.
Preston North End 0 Middlesbrough 0 Att 15974
PNE: Jordan Pickford, Marnick Vermijl (Humphrey), Greg Cunningham, Tom Clarke ©, Paul Huntington, Bailey Wright, John Welsh,Daniel Johnson, Paul Gallagher, Joe Garner, Will Keane (Hugill)
Subs: Steve James, Chris Humphrey, Neil Kilkenny, Calum Woods, Alan Browne, Josh Brownhill, Jordan Hugill.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Dimi Konstantopoulos, George Friend, Daniel Ayala, Grant Leadbitter ©, Adam Clayton, Adam Reach (Fabrini),
Dael Fry, Tomas Kalas, Albert Adomah
Subs: Tomas Mejias, Muzzy Carayol, Jack Stephens, Cristhian Stuani (Kike), Emilio Nsue, Diego Fabbrini (Reach), Adam Forshaw (Leadbitter)
Referee: Mr C Kavanagh
Preston manager Simon Grayson: "I thought the players worked extremely hard, carried out the game-plan and on another day we could quite easily have had a couple of goals.
"We've limited Middlesbrough to no shots on target, which is some achievement given the players they've got.
"Overall, I'm really satisfied with a really professional performance but also some good quality at times."
Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka: "I said before the game we would be making a big mistake if we think every game will be easy.
"They played very well and were very well organised defensively, and they wanted the ball more than us so we have to improve.
"I am not making excuses. I have a squad that I imagine is better than theirs and they played better than us. They were very well organised and we couldn't play in our way."
Given the standard of opposition today this was a good North End performance which if they had taken their chances they maybe could have won.
Two early chances in the first 10 minutes should really have led to two goals, first Wright should have buried a heady from a corner and for Boro Leadbetter got into a great position after a one two before failing to hit the target.
Boro dominated the early stages and a mazy run from full back Friend was only stopped by a great tackle by Wright. As with a lot of games last season North End grew into the game after about 20 minutes and had a great chance to score however Keane's shot was cleared from the line by Friend, in the follow up Garner's shot was blocked by keepers Konstantopoulos's chest and there were solid claims for a penalty as Garner was wrestled to the ground by Friend.
The second half was shaded by Boro they made the ball and North End work and started to be more of a threat, two headers from Ayala went harmlessly wide, however the pace of Adomah caused problems but Boro lacked a real goalscorer so much so that North End keeper Pickford didn't have a shot to save. As the game became stretched in the latter stages Adomah had a shot blocked by two North Enders whilst Garner should have buried a header right at the end, maybe a bit harsh but could possible have sneaked all three points with better finishing but cannot really complain about the performance they put in a really good shift.
Out of the newcomers Cunningham and Keane played well, Vermijl looked steady although his hospital pass got Clarke a booking and Pickford did not really have a lot to do. Boro's young centre back Fry played well and they are hard to break down and will be tough to beat, all in all a satisfying result.
Preston North End 0 Middlesbrough 0 Att 15974
PNE: Jordan Pickford, Marnick Vermijl (Humphrey), Greg Cunningham, Tom Clarke ©, Paul Huntington, Bailey Wright, John Welsh,Daniel Johnson, Paul Gallagher, Joe Garner, Will Keane (Hugill)
Subs: Steve James, Chris Humphrey, Neil Kilkenny, Calum Woods, Alan Browne, Josh Brownhill, Jordan Hugill.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Dimi Konstantopoulos, George Friend, Daniel Ayala, Grant Leadbitter ©, Adam Clayton, Adam Reach (Fabrini),
Dael Fry, Tomas Kalas, Albert Adomah
Subs: Tomas Mejias, Muzzy Carayol, Jack Stephens, Cristhian Stuani (Kike), Emilio Nsue, Diego Fabbrini (Reach), Adam Forshaw (Leadbitter)
Referee: Mr C Kavanagh
Preston manager Simon Grayson: "I thought the players worked extremely hard, carried out the game-plan and on another day we could quite easily have had a couple of goals.
"We've limited Middlesbrough to no shots on target, which is some achievement given the players they've got.
"Overall, I'm really satisfied with a really professional performance but also some good quality at times."
Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka: "I said before the game we would be making a big mistake if we think every game will be easy.
"They played very well and were very well organised defensively, and they wanted the ball more than us so we have to improve.
"I am not making excuses. I have a squad that I imagine is better than theirs and they played better than us. They were very well organised and we couldn't play in our way."
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People got to shout to stay alive