Early goals from Mo Besic and Stewart Downing saw Middlesbrough to a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road. Besic netted the opener on 12 and Downing added the second four minutes later following an error from Blues skipper Luke Chambers with Town never looking like taking anything from the match.

Janoi Donacien and Jordan Graham returned to the Blues line-up for Matthew Pennington, who was suspended for one game following Saturday’s red card, and Gwion Edwards, who dropped to the bench.

Donacien came into the team at right-back with Graham on the left of midfield, while Grant Ward moved to the right. There was no place in the Middlesbrough 18 for ex-Blues skipper Grant Leadbitter.

Town saw plenty of the ball early on and passed it around but without getting into dangerous areas.

However, the visitors took their lead via their first serious attack in the 12th minute. Besic brought the ball forward from halfway unchallenged and hit a 25-yard strike which cannoned off Toto Nsiala, knocking the defender over.

The loose ball fell kindly for the Bosnian, giving him a free run at goal and he struck a low shot from the edge of the box past Dean Gerken to his right.

Four minutes later it was 2-0. Skipper Chambers played a loose pass from the edge of the box straight to Downing on the Middlesbrough right and the ex-England international cut into the area and hit a low shot which hit the net off Donacien, leading to brief boos from the Blues support.

Town set about trying to get back into a game which already looked lost but without creating anything until the 25th minute when a Ward cross caused brief hesitation in the Teessiders’ defence before the danger was averted.

Daniel Ayala was fortunate referee Andy Madley failed to spot his late, studs-up challenge on Cole Skuse in the 28th minute otherwise the former Canary might well have seen at least a yellow card.

Town failed to make much impression on a Boro side happy to sit back on their two-goal lead until the 42nd minute when Donacien crossed from the right and Jonas Knudsen looped a header over the bar at the far post.

Three minutes later, Trevoh Chalobah sent a low ball into the box from midway inside the Boro half on the right but no Blues player was able to get a touch before Boro keeper Darren Randolph claimed.

Ayala looped a header over the bar just before the whistle which was met by further boos from an understandably frustrated Portman Road crowd.

The Blues had gifted Boro their two-goal and subsequently looked to have little idea of how to break down a visiting team largely happy to sit back and hold on to their lead, presumably well aware of Town’s lack of attacking threat this season.

After such a lacklustre half, Paul Hurst’s side needed to dramatically up their game in the second half to maintain their unbeaten home record let alone end their long winless run.

It was little surprise that Hurst made changes ahead of the second half with Edwards and Freddie Sears replacing Graham and Jackson.

And Town should have pulled a goal back two minutes after the restart. Donacien whipped in a cross from the right and Ayala just did enough to force Jon Nolan to head across the goal and wide rather than into the net.

Two minutes later, Ward won the ball on halfway and fed Sears to his left. The former Colchester man took it on into the area before hitting a shot which flew not too far over with the Portman Road crowd beginning to get behind their side.

Town continued to have most of the ball but without being able to find a way past the Boro backline. However, on 59 Chalobah sent over a dangerous low ball from the right which bounced across the six-yard box but too far in front of Ward.

But it was the Teesiders who came close to scoring the game’s third goal on the hour mark, Skuse heading Ayala’s goal-bound header off the line before one-time Town target Jordan Hugill’s rebound was blocked.

Boro kept up the momentum with Hugill claiming he had been fouled by Donacien as a cross came in from the right, however, the striker looked to have made a lot of little contact as he wasn’t going to reach the ball.

Moments later, George Friend cut in and struck a shot across the face of goal, then soon after Hugill also shot wide.

The on-loan West Ham man was replaced by Britt Assombalonga seconds later, then on 69 Martin Braithwaite was swapped for Paddy McNair.

Town forced Randolph into his first save of the evening in the 72nd minute, and what a save it was. Edwards found his way blocked on the edge of the area and the ball was stabbed out to Chalobah, who struck a powerful low strike through a crowd of players which Randolph somehow got across to and palmed past the post.

With 14 minutes remaining Andre Dozzell was given his first taste of competitive first-team action under manager Hurst, the Portman Road crowd cheering the local boy’s introduction for Nolan.

Dozzell’s tidy passing was evident from the off and soon after his introduction he played a clever reverse ball into the path of Sears, who won a corner which eventually came to nothing.

Five minutes from the scheduled end, Chambers made a superb double challenge on Downing and then sub Sam McQueen as the pair broke into the Town area after the Blues had been dispossessed midway inside their own half.

On 87 Edwards smashed a powerful shot which looked to be on its way into net following a corner but his strike hit Nsiala and deflected harmlessly wide.

Late on, McNair sent over a dangerous ball for Boro which Assombalonga failed to get a touch on, then moments before the end Skuse nodded over.

The whistle was greeted by muted applause from the Blues support, Town having been better in the second half and having kept going throughout, despite it looking unlikely that they would get anything out of the game.

The Blues huffed and puffed but but lacked confidence and quality, only rarely - Nolan’s early header, Sears’s strike over soon afterwards and Chalobah’s effort saved by Randolph - looking like they might pull a goal back against a well-organised Boro team, who came closer to adding to their lead when Skuse nodded Ayala’s header off the line.

The match was effectively won in the first 16 minutes with the two poor goals which were gifted to the visitors with individual mistakes again playing a large part in the Blues’ downfall. Against a side with the quality and nous of Boro Town were never going to have a chance having given them a two-goal start.

The Blues’ winless run from the start of the season is now up to 11 in the Championship - plus the defeat at Exeter in the Carabao Cup - in addition to the final day of last campaign draw with Boro.

Town’s first home defeat of the season sees them drop back to 23rd in the table ahead of Saturday’s tough trip to Swansea ahead of the international break with the pressure increasing on manager Hurst.

Town: Gerken, Donacien, Nsiala, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Skuse, Chalobah, Ward, Nolan (Dozzell 76), Graham (Edwards 46), Jackson (Sears 46). Unused: Bialkowski, Spence, Downes, Edun.

Middlesbrough: Randolph, Shotton, Ayala, Flint, Friend (c), Besic (McQueen 82), Howson, Saville, Downing, Braithwaite (McNair 69), Hugill (Assombalonga 65). Unused: Lonergan, Batth, Fry, Gestede. Ref: Andy Madley (West Yorkshire). Att: 13,612 (Boro: 438).

Photo: TWTD

prebbs007 added 22:34 - Oct 2 Will day it AGAIN and will probably get -ve marks but every game I'm proven correct. Chambers IS a liability. Wtf was that tonight ? Oh hello Downing would you like a goal ? Here you go !!! The man is an absolute joke of a footballer. His only ability is to shout and point. He can't pass 5 yards and still his only option is the hoof !!! Knudsen is another huge problem. His positioning is terrible and his lack of quality costs us week in week out. This is becoming glaringly obvious every game. These two HAVE to be dropped !!! Dozzell has to start and we need to sign two strikers quickly. Go ahead with the down marks but we are doomed whilst captain donkey plays. Feel sorry for the manager tonight. He didn't make the individual errors that are costing us. He did however sell our best players (Webster Waghorn & Garner) and kept our worst (Chambers Knudsen & Skuse ) and seems to have brought in some very average replacements. Keeping the faith but it's becoming very difficult.

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Rimsy added 22:37 - Oct 2 Second half was much better. Lacking confidence obviously but definitely better signs. Everyone are so negative, it's a work in progress. I'd still much rather watch this team than anything MM put out. Ipswich playing the ball out of defense instead of hoofing it, it's a totally different way of trying to play and will take time. As for those bemoaning ME, they have very short memories. He saved the club when we were bankrupt and let's his managers get on with the job. We'll still finish at least mid-table.

-14

Barhamblue added 22:37 - Oct 2 The Mick out brigade have seriously got to take a look at themselves and take the responsibility of what you've helped to do this once great club, although you won't! This team and current manager will not get 15 points all season. I have never in seen an ITFC team this poor in 43 years of supporting them and that includes the John Duncan era !!!!
1

bobble added 22:37 - Oct 2 thats it..he has to go..
6

Safetyfirstmrwark added 22:39 - Oct 2 Evans out. That's the underlying malaise of our club. We've been dragged down by cynical, miserly leadership.
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Lightningboy added 22:40 - Oct 2 0-2 flattered us...felt sorry for Jackson chasing shadows in the 1st half,should've brought Sears on to play alongside him rather than instead of..Nolan looks hopeless. Not sure who was lacking more belief - the supporters,the players or the management team. What Hurst has done to last season's squad is reckless..give me the 2 men sat in the stand watching to rebuild this football club anyday (Burley & Butcher).

14

ringwoodblue added 22:41 - Oct 2 There's a few questions I'd like to ask Mr Hurst. 1. Why did Edwards not start? 2. Why did he not play 2 up front? 3. Why did he take so long to bring on Dozzell and even when he did, Chalobah should have been the one he replaced as he was awful. Interesting formation tonight, the 1-10 (no one in attack or defence!) We were lucky Boro took their foot off the gas at 2-0 otherwise it couldve been a much more crushing defeat

8

runaround added 22:41 - Oct 2 I don't feel anger just sadness. The players are trying but just aren't good enough it seems. Too many changes in the summer although I do believe that Waghorn, Garner, McGoldrick & Webster leaving was not all down to Hurst. The club desperately needed change & Hurst seemed the right type of man we needed. He might still be but we have to start winning matches NOW otherwise we are going down. It feels like the club has not yet reached the low point before things improve. Just really sad to watch

8

norfolkbluey added 22:41 - Oct 2 I saw this before the season started. Pigs ear and no silk purse in sight. Forever second best. Agreed Hurst is a really nice guy but little experience at this level will mean us going down. Terrible risk by all the senior management team taking on a guy with little experience at this kind of level. I would have loved to see him make a go of it but bringing in untried players at this level in numbers was a recipe for disaster. Sorry Paul.

13

Michael101 added 22:42 - Oct 2 Well said prebbs,only one small point was Webster gone before Hurst not the job?? Having said that he never found a replacement
1

cat added 22:42 - Oct 2 ‘‘Tis the season for giving” FFS how many goals are we gonna gift the opposition, time for the old guard to move aside and bring in the youth. Only positive tonight was Dozzell, quality in the making.
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Safetyfirstmrwark added 22:44 - Oct 2 Mark me down all you like but it's no coincidence that Evans has overseen the decline of our club
13

itfchorry added 22:44 - Oct 2 Andre Dozzell could have saved him his job. Looked to good to play in a Hurst Team. Sadly this can't continue - Seems like a decent Man, who is sadly very much out of his depth. No point continuing with him - International break is a natural opportunity for a break for both parties. Burley and Butcher to give us a chance of getting out of this terrible mess.
5

goat_man added 22:45 - Oct 2 Burley and Butcher please. Something now has to change. With these two I'm sure we would see a return to 442, which has actually been the only formation that has really worked for our football club through the years. I think we would also see the dropping of under performing players like Skuse and Chambers, with the youngsters being brought in to bring some dynamism.
8

TimmyH added 22:45 - Oct 2 Barhamblue - John Duncan had a higher win% than McCarthy, please please think before you type, that just shows how this clubs standards are lowering.
4

Barhamblue added 22:56 - Oct 2 TimmyH. Fair point, and I hope you're taking your responsibility well.
1

cranky_old_tractor added 22:56 - Oct 2 Wanted you to succeed Hurst. However, time has now come (from my perspective) to move on. Time for decisive management Evans.
4

midastouch added 22:56 - Oct 2 Crack, No Bubble, Plop!
1

Umros added 22:59 - Oct 2 Chambers is an absolute liability. That's the second time he's done that pass in two home games, fortunately we got away with it v Bolton but not tonight. Yes he saves us with last gasp,blocks but it's all in vain if you can't pass the ball 5 yards. Never replaced Berra, needs to be dropped and someone else to lead, his time is up. As for Nolan....... well let's not even go there, words fail me. Sad sad times

5

WhoisJimmyJuan added 23:01 - Oct 2 Yep. We finished 8th, 8th and 9th under John Duncan. I'd take that now. It's another indication of how low the club's expectations have sunk that he was sacked after finishing 9th but now a manager is seen as having had an acceptable season if we finish 15th.
15

itfc94 added 23:01 - Oct 2 Two freebie goals, game over. You don't gift a team that has won something like 27 of the last 29 games going in front with goals like that. Overall, the performance was poor. In fairness to Hurst, the mistakes made for the goals can't be blamed on him. Yes, his recruitment was weak and yes, we've not won but some of those lads should be putting their hands up -it's time to stand up and be counted. Personally, I thought Chalobah showed glimpses of promise and started off way to deep. He's clearly not a defender but has quick feet. Dozzer looked class, Sears looked up for it and Jackson will come good. Worst performances - Graham, Knudsen, Ward, Skuse, Gerken.

3

dubblue added 23:01 - Oct 2 If we are going to be relegated, and I hope we can still survive, I hope it will signal then end of ME and PH.
2

rubbleblue added 23:02 - Oct 2 I don't post often, but watching tonight and having my 8 year old son and his mum laugh and joke that we will be playing Lincoln city next year says it all. Hurst gave us an idea of what it would be like, he and ME haven't delivered on it. Strange how the old guard who we have moaned about are still playing. Marcus get rid of the coaching staff and management for first team. Put entire first team squad except Andre in reserves and play u23 for a few matches. Might get smashed but our youngsters will get better through. I had thought our young players were ready for the championship, I still do so please let them play!!!

4

midastouch added 23:04 - Oct 2 Fist Pump ... or... Fist Dump?
0

smurfsareblue added 23:08 - Oct 2 Please can some tell me what high intensity pressing football means. If you could explain it to our manager that would be nice too. I think i understand 1) high intensity......running about a bit. 2) pressing......chasing down players who have the ball and defenders pushing up to the halfway line. We dont seem to do either. Football is simple. Screw the sports science and heart rate monitors and seeing how far players run in a match and simply do the following 1) Find 4 defenders who can defend. Tell then when the ball is cleared by a defender or goalkeeper to push up and follow the ball out. Defend higher up and the midfield can play in the oppositions half. 2) Stop playing 2 holding defensive midfielders. You only need 1 and there is no reason that player needs to sit just in front of the back 4. Play as part of a midfield not as part of the defence. Stop playing players just on the basis of how much running about they do. Dozzell is never going to run around like a headless chicken. He has a brain that is faster than most players legs. For me this was the downfall of MM and will be for PH. Buying players who run around and tire themselves out without doing much is not the answer. To unlock a defense you need players who can pass the ball. If you pass the ball the opposition needs to do all the running to get the ball back. 3) Persist with Jackson but play sears, Folami or buy someone else to play with him. If he cant form a partnership with 2 up front (if given service) then he isnt going to cut it. 4) when we do attack, get in the box. Reliance on crosses (we had a few good ones today) is a waste of time if there is no one to get on the end of them. I am either a football genius or past football managers (post magilton) of this great club watch too much champions league football where TOP players play intricate systems you can only play with TOP CLASS player. 4 4 2 may not win you the league but it will not get you relegated.

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