Goals:

1-0: Tomlin (61, received the ball from Kike and lashed home a powerful strike from 20 yards)

2-0: Tomlin (90, rolled the ball into an empty net from distance after Smithies was caught upfield)

Bookings: Gibson (15, foul), Peltier (81, foul), Friend (86, foul)

Referee: Peter Bankes (Merseyside) – Did Middlesbrough a massive favour when he waved away vociferous Huddersfield penalty appeals after the ball appeared to strike Ayala on the arm 5

Attendance: 18,576

Entertainment: ***

 

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):

9 KONSTANTOPOULOS: Made four fantastic late saves, the pick of which saw him claw Butterfield’s goalbound strike around the post

8 Kalas: Was the best player on the pitch in the first half, with his overlapping runs proving a major feature of Boro’s attacking play

7 Ayala: Controlled things at the heart of the Boro defence for most of the game and produced a crucial goalline clearance in stoppage time

6 Gibson: Fared well in a defensive capacity for most of the game, but was troubled by Wells’ movement in the closing stages

7 Friend: Produced a typically composed and resolute display, although his attacking runs were somewhat limited

7 Leadbitter: Spread the play effectively with a series of impressive long-range passes and made the block that led to Tomlin’s second goal

7 Clayton: Clearly enjoyed taking on his old employers and ensured Boro controlled the heart of midfield for most of the game

6 Adomah: Fired in a couple of useful second-half efforts, but wasted some other decent openings by choosing the wrong option

8 Tomlin: Made the difference with a fantastic strike to break the deadlock and kept his head to roll home a stoppage-time second

6 Bamford: Wasn’t really his day as he spurned a succession of first-half chances, but didn’t allow that to affect him

6 Kike: Was unfortunate to see his early effort rebound off the post, and although his search for a goal goes on, his link-up play was important

 

Subs:

Reach (for Bamford, 73)

Vossen (for Kike, 84)

(not used): Mejias (gk), Husband, Omeruo, Whitehead, Ledesma.

 

HUDDERSFIELD (4-5-1):

Smithies 6; Smith 7, Lynch 5, Hudson 6, Robinson 6 (Lolley 81); Scannell 5, Hogg 5 (Peltier 46, 6), Butterfield 8, Coady 6, WELLS 8; Vaughan 5 (Gobern 24, 5).

Subs (not used): Allinson (gk), Dixon, Billing, Majewski.

 

Man Of The Match: DIMI KONSTANTOPOULOS – The Boro goalkeeper barely had to do anything for an hour, but his saves in the final 30 minutes were the crucial factor in securing a much-needed win.