Middlesbrough 1-0 Swansea: Dael Fry heads winner

It was a deserved win for Boro, who were the better side in the second half after a scrappy and relatively even opening period.

Here are the talking points to emerge from the game:

VAN DEN BERG'S ABSENCE

On the eve of Middlesbrough’s Championship opener, boss Edwards told of how he’d been hugely impressed by Hayden Hackney in training this week since the midfielder’s decision to turn down rivals Ipswich Town. It was, then, no surprise to see the Teessider named in the starting XI against Swansea.

But Rav van den Berg’s situation is clearly very different to Hackney’s as things stand. And while the defender’s lack of football and training in recent weeks might have gone some way to explaining his absence from the squad on Saturday, there’s no doubt the uncertainty surrounding his future was also a major factor.

Nothing has changed in recent days, with FC Koln having not yet returned with an improved offer since their opening bid was turned down. But the Bundesliga club remain very much interested in the Dutchman, who appears ready to move on. But Boro will only sanction an exit for the 21-year-old if a bid matches their valuation, so as things stand it’s watch this space.

The absence of van den Berg wasn’t the only defensive talking point against the Swans, with Luke Ayling getting the nod ahead Neto Borges. The Brazilian clearly has to work to do to force his way into Edwards’ side. The head coach doesn’t see Borges as a wing-back, and not starting at centre-half despite the absence of van den Berg and Lenihan must be a concern for last summer’s signing.

MEMORABLE DAY FOR MATCHWINNER

The wearer of the captain’s armband and the scorer of Boro’s opening goal, this will undoubtedly be up there with Dael Fry’s most memorable days in a Boro shirt.

What a way to start a season for the Teessider, who, after a couple of injury-ravaged campaigns, will be desperate to rediscover the form and consistency that made him one of the Championship’s best central defenders.

His opener – his first competitive goal since February, 2022 – was identical to his headed goal at Mansfield in the first domestic friendly of the summer. And for Boro’s coaching team and players, it was an immediate reward for their training ground work in the summer.

Boro’s coaching staff identified set-piece improvement as a priority when they arrived in the summer, and their Rockliffe work and preparations paid off instantly when the impressive Whittaker’s corner was glanced into the far corner by Fry.

SILVERA STARS AGAIN

It was the final seconds of first half stoppage time and a lone white Swansea shirt broke away down the right flank. There appeared to be little danger but that didn’t stop Sammy Silvera racing back to make an interception.

It’s that attitude and desire that has led to the Australian winger forcing his way back into Boro’s plans against the odds.

Silvera was expected to depart this summer. After two failed loan moves last term which came after an underwhelming first campaign on Teesside, there looked to be little chance of the winger playing any sort of prominent role going forward. But, as Edwards has explained, a knock on the head coach’s door changed everything.

Silvera told of his desire to force his way into the new boss’s plans, but words are so often cheap in football. Edwards needed to see action. And Silvera has backed up his promise. He was the big winner in pre-season, deservedly playing his way into the starting XI against the Swans. And he’ll stay there with performances like this one.

He might be playing out of position at left-wing back but Silvera was full of energy and running throughout. He was defensively disciplined when he had to be, but then got forward and started or joined the attack at every opportunity. It was Silvera who teed up Whittaker for his first half drive that crunched the bar.

Come the second half, Silvera was being serenaded by the south stand. That felt unlikely at the end of last season.

IMPORTANT WIN

What was pleasing and encouraging was the way Boro managed the game after their opener. So often last season they managed to find a way to throw away games and points from positions of dominance, but the victory rarely looked in doubt from the moment Fry headed home.

Rob Edwards is pumped!! This came after the #Boro boss led his players on a full lap around the pitch at full time. Off the mark. Big win. pic.twitter.com/SK5KYFJL1E — Dominic Shaw (@DomShawEcho) August 9, 2025

Yes, it’s only the first day of the season, but this was still an important win for Middlesbrough. After a challenging summer, this victory will lift spirits and can be a tone setter. At full-time, Edwards was pumped. The head coach led his players on a full lap around the pitch, before he reached the South Stand where he charged towards Red Faction fist pumping and orchestrating the roar from the crowd.

Had Boro failed to pick up three points, after a winless pre-season, they’d have suddenly been facing two daunting away games with pressure building to tick that important first box.

Edwards will now be desperate to follow this with cup success against Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night. And by the time they’re next in action at the Riverside in the league, when Sheffield United visit at the end of August, their squad will have been strengthened by new signings.

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