Middlesbrough player ratings vs QPR with two 8s as Boro produce required reaction

Middlesbrough might have made it easier for themselves but most importantly picked up a victory against QPR to keep their top-six ambitions alive.

Goals from Tommy Conway and Anfernee Dijksteel ensured Boro picked up an important win, reacting well to the disappointment of the weekend defeat at Swansea City. They conceded one with ten minutes to go but managed to hold on and win 2-1.

It maybe should have been more comfortable as they missed good chances and wasted positive openings, particularly in the first half, but nevertheless, they got over the line with an important three points to climb to eighth in the table. Here’s how the players rated.

Mark Travers - 7

Nothing he could do with the goal but largely untested throughout, he produced one big save just before the goal and then one late one from his opposite number in a last-minute set-piece.

Anfernee Dijksteel - 7

His second goal of this season was an important one for Boro as they found an elusive second goal to make their dominance in the game count. Defensively solid though he was the man who lost Jimmy Dunne for the QPR goal but thankfully it wasn’t costly.

Jonny Howson - 7

Credit where it is due. Jonny Howson pushed himself back from injury early in order to play in an unfamiliar position. Battling throughout with physical targetman Michael Frey, Howson showed his experience in a brilliant performance.

Neto Borges - 8

Enjoying his football right now, the Brazilian made big blocks and big tackles and get the crowd up while doing it. He’s enjoying an excellent period.

Samuel Iling-Junior - 7

A really encouraging performance on only the Aston Villa loanee’s second start. In at left-back, he attacked the flank really well and had some bright moments, setting up two big chances for Burgzorg and Conway. He did all of that without ever exposing Boro defensively, as he did that side of his role with minimal fuss.

Aidan Morris - 7

Kept things simple to allow Hackney to flourish ahead of him. Full of energy and bite, recovering from his rare off day at Swansea

Hayden Hackney - 8

His involvement in the Boro opener encapsulated his night. He won a crunching 50/50 tackle before getting up to play the ball through for Azaz. Beyond that, he was his usual positive self, dictating the tempo of the game with his forward drives and positive forward passing.

Delano Burgzorg - 6

Operating from the right on his return to the side, Burgzorg was his usual bright self without much reward in this one. Missed one first half chance from inside the box that might have been costly but for Kenneth Paal’s bad miss moments later.

Kelechi Iheanacho - 6

Still struggling in a Boro shirt, though this was better. This was a game in which there wasn’t that much pressure from the visitors and so he was able to get a lot more involved than he has in recent games. But he still looked lacking in his movement and touch at times.

Finn Azaz - 7

Used the space that QPR afforded him well to set Boro away on a number of positive attacks. A lovely cross saw him add to his assist tally to put Boro ahead early.

Tommy Conway - 7

Netted his 11th of the season with an excellently timed run into the penalty area to get on the end of Azaz’s low cross. Very unlucky not to score a similar one from Iling-Junior’s cross too. Usual Workmanlike performance leading the Boro line.

Substitutions

Marcus Forss (For Iheanacho, 77’) - N/A

Morgan Whittaker (For Conway, 77’) - N/A

Dan Barlaser (For Burgzorg, 89’) - N/A

Ryan Giles (For Azaz, 90’) - N/A

Click here to read article