0 Stoke City RECAP: Boro stay top but have to settle for a point

Full-time: Boro 0-0 Stoke

It ends all square. Boro have to settle for the point.

Hansen denied

Good chance. Sene runs the channel, cuts it back for Hansen who hits it first time on the volley as it sits up well. Really well-hit effort, but a great save from Johansson.

Formation

More like a 3-5-2 now, with Sene and Hansen up top. Initially Kante went high up too, but he appears to have settled into a midfield role now.

Boro now

Gone back to a back five. Fry in defence, Kante on as a left sided forward/extra midfield man.

Big save Brynn

Boro caught on the counter and Rigo has the goal at his mercy as Thomas cuts it back to him. Huge save Brynn.

Boro counter but Conway is eventually blocked.

Switch again

More like a 4-2-3-1 now, with Nypan at ten. Edwards and his coaching team in deep conversation as they try to work out their next move.

Stoke change

Mubama, who Edwards referenced before the game, is on. Bozenik is the man replaced.

Stoppage though as Bocat gets treatment.

Boro settling

After that edgey start to the second half they're re-settling in the game. But Stoke's defence is still proving a tough nut to crack. Boro trying to find a way through.

With the changes

Sene and Strelec is a like for like change. Hansen has gone RWF, with Nypan into the midfield.

Stoke start bright

Boro guilty of giving it away cheaply a few times at the start of this half and it's offering the visitors encouragement. they've had a couple of nearly moments since the Brynn save.

Morris chance goes begging

Boro straight up the other end and Hackney gets in behind from wide. He cuts back, waits for the run and tees up Morris, but he hooks it over the bar.

Good save Brynn

Brynn forced into action for the first time. Jun-Ho works it wide to Thomas, who cuts inside and looks to bend one. Brynn gets his arm up high on the dive and makes the save.

Second half kick off

Back under way with boro unchanged from the interval. Stoke changes as Manhoef and Rigo comes on for Cisse and Pearson.

Back out for the second half

Boro will be unchanged from the end of the first half.

First-half verdict

Good half from Boro, albeit without a goal to show for it. Two good chances through Hackney and Strelec aside, but mainly positive openings without that end product. That Conway penalty claim will be a big talking point. Definitely contact, but was it enough? Ref said no.

Ironic cheers

Every time Boro get a decision from the ref. He's going to get a rough time when he heads off at the interval.

Another good opening goes to waste

On the break and Hackney drives before sliding wide to Silvera arriving into the penalty area from wide. He slides across goal but Strelec, Conway and Morris have all made the same run and Silvera's ball is behind them all.

Conway retrieves, comes back on himself and tees Nypan on the edge, but he slices over the bar.

Into the final ten of the first half

Boro completely on top. Brynn hasn't had a save to make yet.

Boro haven't been able to create loads, but they've had some decent openings. hackney had an early chance from range, and Strelec had that effort on the transition. Potentially could have had a penalty too.

But it remains 0-0 as things stand.

Conway booked

Referee saying he dived as cuts into the box with Pearson dangling the leg out. Definitely contact. Conway, Edwards and the Boro fans furious.

Webb very one-sided in his decisions so far, it's fair to say. 'You're not fit to referee' sing the Boro fans.

Boro starting to gain control

Playing some nice football and, much like the early games of the season, when they lose it, they're in Stoke's faces and making it hard for them to clear their lines. Looking very positive right now. tails up, searching for that opener.

Referee David Webb not making himself popular with Boro fans.

Strelec close!

Hackney intercepts a clearance and gives it to Nypan who finds Strelec with a bit of space on the edge. Doesn't really have an option so he turns and drives into the box before curling one past his marker. Good effort but Johansson makes a good save to deny him.

Silvera booked

First card of the game goes to Silvera. Strong tackle but he appears to win the ball. Boro fans let the ref know what they think of that one.

Interesting out of possession shape

They've clearly focused on Stoke's strength out wide. Rather than the wide forwards though, it's Hackney and Morris who are moving out wide - Hackney right and Morris left - to support the Boro full-back when Stoke are in possession. Nypan and Conway staying narrower

Hackney chance

Good driving run from the Boro midfielder and Stoke back off. Crowd urges Hackney to shoot and he obliges. Nice effort dipping and bouncing awkwardly just in front of Johansson who has to push it wide.

Boro sub

Silvera on for Edmundson.

Looks like Silvera is going to right back.

Silvera

Long stoppage. It's going to be Silvera coming on for Edmundson. We'll see how this impacts the shape. Surely he doesn't go left or right back.

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