How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's Carabao Cup win?
PRESTON (4-4-2):
Maxwell 6; Clarke 5, Storey 4, Huntington 6, Hughes 5; Browne 6 (Harrop 63, 5), Ledson 6, Pearson 6, BARKER 8 (Burke 80); Robinson 7, Barkhuizen 7 (Moult 85).
Subs (not used): Rudd (gk), Earl, Johnson, Gallagher.
MIDDLESBROUGH (3-5-2):
5 Konstantopoulos: Made a couple of important saves, but committed an absolute howler as Barkhuizen scored Preston’s second
6 Wood: Doesn’t look or play like a 16-year-old – produced another composed display at the heart of the Boro defence
7 Batth: Impressed on his first Boro start and won some important headers in the closing stages
6 Fry: Wasn’t always at his most assured, but continued to throw his body on the line to try to keep Preston out
6 McNair: Struggled defensively in the early stages, but grew into the wing-back role and delivered some dangerous crosses
8 WING: Produced a sensational slide-rule pass for Fletcher’s goal and was always looking to be positive in possession
7 Leadbitter: Skippered the side at the base of midfield and set the tone for the shoot-out with an excellent penalty
7 Tavernier: Scored with a sensational long-range strike and made a series of dangerous breaks down the left
7 McQueen: Displayed boundless energy on his first Boro start and looks ideally suited to the wing-back berth
7 Gestede: Missed a sitter as he headed against the bar, but won a succession of aerial challenges and converted his penalty
8 Fletcher: Made it three goals in three League Cup games and was a lively attacking presence throughout
Subs:
Chapman (for Wood, 72)
(not used): Lonergan (gk), Liddle, Stubbs, Spence, Malley, Walker.
Man Of The Match: LEWIS WING – The former Northern League midfielder was unfortunate to lose his starting spot earlier in the season – if he continues playing like this, he will surely be back in the team.
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