Goals:
0-1: Bamford (64, rounded Grant after Tomlin’s through ball released him, and squeezed the ball home from an acute angle)
Bookings: Hughes (58, foul), Bryson (60, foul), Clayton (63, foul), Reach (90, foul)
Referee: Andy D’Urso (Billericay) – Infuriated the home support, but got the vast majority of things right and might even have awarded Boro a penalty late on 7
Attendance: 31,939
Entertainment: ***
DERBY (4-3-3):
Grant 5; CHRISTIE 7 (Thomas 75), Keogh 6, Albentosa 6, Forsyth 6; Hughes 5, Hanson 6 (Hendrick 70), Bryson 5; Ince 6, Russell 5, Ward 5 (Lingard 70).
Subs (not used): Roos (gk), Warnock, Dawkins, Shotton.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2):
7 Konstantopoulos: Didn’t have a lot of saves to make, but commanded his area well and was assured in the closing stages
7 Kalas: Won some important tackles and ensured Derby were unable to launch any effective attacks down their left-hand side
8 Gibson: Denied Russell any attacking space all evening and dominated whenever the ball was crossed into the box
8 WOODGATE: Was only making his second league start of the season, but was superb as he completely dominated the back four
7 Friend: Worked tirelessly up and down the left flank and made a particularly important interception in the first half
7 Adomah: Was Boro’s most effective attacker in the first half, with his direct running troubling the Derby defence
8 Leadbitter: Led by example throughout, closing down Derby’s midfielders and ensuring there was no space in front of the Boro back four
8 Clayton: Another hugely influential display from the midfielder, who has been one of the unsung heroes of Boro’s promotion push
7 Tomlin: Didn’t always look comfortable on the left-hand side, but delivered a superb through ball for Bamford’s goal
7 Vossen: Linked play superbly by dropping between midfield and attack, and almost scored with a sensational long-range lob
8 Bamford: Had to take a fair amount of physical stuff from the Derby defence, but responded with a wonderfully well-taken goal
Subs:
Forshaw (for Vossen, 80)
Reach (for Tomlin, 85)
Nsue (for Adomah, 90)
(not used): Ripley (gk), Omeruo, Whitehead, Kike.
Man Of The Match: JONATHAN WOODGATE – Having threatened to retire in the autumn, the boyhood Boro fan is emerging as a crucial figure in the run-in
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