Reaction at Riverside Stadium after Stoke City defeats Middlesbrough 2-0
An outstanding performance at the Riverside Stadium saw Stoke City win their first league game against Middlesbrough in 26 years and make it three in a row for just the second time since 2016.
After the international break, Alex Neil was under growing pressure. However, he concluded the week with his supporters chanting his name, having worked hard and earned victories over Sunderland, Leeds United, and now Boro, who had won their previous six games.
Following Mark Travers’ surprise return to Bournemouth yesterday, there were shocked expressions and heightened worries when Neil made four further changes to his starting lineup. But what happened next was a memorable away performance.
Michael Rose gave the Potters an early lead – and their third goal in a row from set-pieces – when he launched himself onto a corner from Sead Haksabanovic. A downward header was spilled by Seny Dieng into the Boro net.
It was 2-0 to Stoke when Mehdi Leris whipped a shot from the inside right into the far bottom corner past Dieng after Stoke worked it from side to side via Enda Stevens and Daniel Johnson.
In between Jack Bonham’s fingertips feathered a Josh Coburn blaster over the crossbar while a Corburn long ranger rattled the top of the bar and bounced over.
Stoke had other chances too, including right at the start when Luke McNally dinked a through ball over the top to release Dwight Gayle, whose touch set him up but the finish, which had to be taken quickly, was scuffed to the keeper.
When Gayle moved Haksabanovic into space behind the defense in the second half, it was even more evident, but the forward pushed his shot to Dieng.
By then, Stoke supporters were practically inebriated on such a turn of events, dancing in the away end and frequently chanting for Bonham. For the record, Stoke’s last victory against Middlesbrough came in 1997, but this time it seems like they’re headed in the right direction.
Here are the player ratings from the Riverside Stadium…
Bonham: Positive in trying to take command of situations and a flying, fingertip save to stop Coburn. 8
Hoever: A useful outlet joining in attacks and a danger when he can get into final third. 8
Stevens: In a real test with Isiah Jones’s pace and, if at first that looked ominous, he used his head to keep a handle on the winger. 8
McNally: Absolutely determined performance from central defence pair, seeming to take on extra responsibility. 8
Rose: Forming a good partnership with McNally. Threw himself at corner to get all-important header for first goal. 8
Pearson: Some excellent work nipping into good areas before limping out of action 10 minutes before half-time. 7
Laurent: Captain back in the starting XI. Was influential in pressing Middlesbrough high up the pitch and showed commitment off the ball. 8
Johnson: Big shift off the ball and set up the second goal for Leris with lovely weight pass down the inside right channel. 8
Leris: Well-taken goal and a good, tireless threat down the right. A real nuisance for McNair and Engel. 8
Haksabanovic: Set up opener and should have got on scoresheet himself in second half with close range chance. 8
Gayle: Might have scored early on with good movement behind defence and set up excellent chance for Haksabanovic. Tired in second half. 8
SUBSTITUTES
Thompson (for Pearson, 36): The go-to man to fill a hole at the moment and he worked furiously again in defensive midfield. Booking means a ban. 8
Gooch (for Leris, 72): Late fresh legs to relieve Leris at end of three-game week. 7
Wesley (for Gayle, 80): A big presence to throw into the attack for the final few minutes, able to make the ball stick. 6
Vidigal (for Haksabanovic, 80): An extra spark on the left, in front of the away end, through the closing stages. 6
Not used: Fielding, Burger, Junho, Tchamadeu, Lowe.
Referee: Andrew Kitchen (Durham) 5
