Goals:
1-0: Tomlin (50, directed a brilliant low drive inside Martinez’s bottom right corner from 20 yards)
2-0: Bamford (66, coolly slotted past the keeper after he was picked out by Tomlin’s lovely pass)
Bookings: Arnason (64, foul); Frecklington (90, foul)
Referee: Iain Williamson (Berkshire) – allowed the game to flow and also did not have to put his hand in his pocket very often. 7
Attendance: 19,537
Entertainment: PP
Boro Roth
Shots on 8 2
Shots off 9 9
Corners 7 0
Offsides 2 1
Fouls 11 10
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):
7 Konstantopoulos: When he was called in to action he was ready and made a couple of routine saves;
6 Kalas: Defended solidly and made some good runs but let down by his crossing
7 Ayala: A welcome return to the side and came closest to scoring in the first half
6 Gibson: Effective again alongside Ayala after playing together for only the second time in 16 games
6 Friend: Got down the line often enough before the break and stood firm in the opposite direction;
6 Clayton: Kept things ticking over in the middle despite being without his normal side-kick
6 Forshaw: A rare start following his £2m switch and was effective enough in one of the holding roles;
6 Bamford: Didn’t look particularly happy after being switched to the flank again but still scored before missing a penalty
8 TOMLIN: Bright in and around the box and then found a bit of magic to put Boro ahead after half-time
5 Adomah: Wasted a glorious chance and also misplaced a few passes, even though he was involved plenty;
5 Kike: His hold up play was effective but looked like he lacked confidence in front of goal
Subs:
Woodgate (for Ayala 69): A calming influence after replacing Ayala at the heart of the defence. 5
Whitehead (for Clayton 79)
Nsue (for Tomlin 85)
(not used): Ripley (gk), Vossen, Amorebieta, Wildschut.
ROTHERHAM UNITED (4-4-2): MARTINEZ 7; Hunt 5, Broadfoot 5, Wood 4, Lafferty 4; Green 4 (Sammon 76), Smallwood 5, Arnason 4 (Frecklington 69, 5), Hammill 4; Bowery 6, Derbyshire 4 (Ward 59, 5). Subs (not used): Collin (gk), Pringle, Newton, Milsom.
MAN OF THE MATCH: LEE Tomlin – proved the difference by scoring and creating the second before he was replaced ahead of Tuesday’s date with Wolves.
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