Middlesbrough player ratings vs Sunderland as very few Boro players emerge with much credit
Middlesbrough were really poor on Wearside as they lost the Wear-Tees derby to Sunderland 1-0 thanks to Chris Rigg's goal.
With Sunderland springing a tactical surprise and being less aggressive than Boro would have expected, it was a same old story for Boro as they enjoyed plenty of the ball but struggled to do much of note with it - highlighted by the fact they had just one shot on target. Here's the Boro ratings.
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Seny Dieng - 6
Had very little to do throughout and could do nothing about the goal as the deflection from Roberts' effort left him grounded from his dive in the opposite direction.
Luke Ayling - 5
For all the pre-match talk of Romaine Mundle's threat, Ayling largely dealt with him well. However, his slack touch ultimately proved costly in the build-up to Sunderland's winning goal.
George Edmundson - 6
One early dangerous run from Mayenda saw the Sunderland man skip past him far too easily. But he recovered well and battled throughout with the forward without putting much of a foot wrong. Unlucky with the deflection in the goal.
Matt Clarke - 5
One of Clarke's worst performances in an awful long time. As well as being vulnerable defensively, he was so sloppy with his balls out from the back, which helped Sunderland's gameplan to use the transition. Had a free-header from a corner too, which he wasted.
Neto Borges - 5
Left exposed against Roberts too often, the former Boro man had the beating of the Brazilian every time and was allowed to cut in far too easily for the Sunderland goal.
Aidan Morris - 7
Boro's best player on his return to the side. He was aggressive throughout and, particularly early on, always seemed to be in important areas making big tackles and reading well for interceptions. His influence faded as Sunderland retreated more and more in the second half, and he did waste Boro's only opening after the break.
Hayden Hackney - 5
A forgettable day for the Teesside midfielder. With Sunderland allowing Boro to have the ball, the onus was on Boro to find a pass to unlock the door. hackney tried many times but he didn't ever look like finding one in this one as his wayward passes rather summer up Boro's lack of an answer.
Isaiah Jones - 5
Wasteful again. Created Boro's best chance for Conway early on, but wasted so many other decent openings with poor balls. Feels a matter of time before he loses his place.
Finn Azaz - 5
Ineffectual in attack ultimately, while also leaving Borges exposed a lot. Understandable that both wide forwards were sacrificed on the hour mark as Boro sought a way back into the game.
Tommy Conway - 6
One of few Boro players to emerge with much credit as he worked hard in the hole between midfield and attack - with his off-ball movement and drive to make something happen notable. He missed Boro's best chance of the game when he headed against the bar, however.
Emmanuel Latte Lath - 5
Didn't offer enough for Boro in this one. He was axed with a little over 15 minutes to go as he struggled to enjoy any success in the game.
Substitutions
Micah Hamilton (For Azaz, 62') - 5 - Struggled to make much of an impression as he picked up good spaces but lacked the belief to make use of them as he ultimately continued passing.
Ben Doak (For Jones, 62') - 6 - Added a bit of spark for Boro from the bench and got into some decent openings on the right without being able to pick the killer pass. He has to be pushing for a start.
Delano Burgzorg (For Latte Lath, 73') - 5 - Didn't really have enough time to make an impact in a tough final period of the game where Sunderland offered such little space.