How the Middlesbrough players rated after their 3-1 defeat to Coventry City
Middlesbrough players look dejected as Coventry City are awarded a penalty(Image: Getty Images)
Middlesbrough’s dreadful Coventry City record went on as they lost 3-1 at the CBS Arena, losing their top spot in the Championship in the process.
A Haji Wright hat-trick sent the Sky Blues back to the top of the league in what was their seventh consecutive win over Boro. Riley McGree had pulled one back for the visitors before Wright secured his match-ball and the three points for his side in a huge battle at the top of the second tier.
For Kim Hellberg’s side, they were well off their usual standards in a poor first-half, but had looked much better after the interval. On two separate occasions, however, they surrendered momentum swinging moments by gifting the home side two goals, which ultimately proved costly. Here’s how the Boro players rated.
Sol Brynn – 5
Could probably do a bit better with both of Coventry’s first two goals, though it’s fair to say he wasn’t helped by his defence for either.
Callum Brittain – 6
Involved in the build-up to Boro’s goal, and tried to make things happen for his side. Often left Ayling exposed to Mason-Clark first half, but it was with the intent of attacking, as his boss wants.
Adilson Malanda – 6
Battled well and made a couple of big blocks. Not much he could do with any of the goals and is one of few Boro players to emerge with much credit from their performance.
Luke Ayling – 4
Poor for the first two goals and just a little off the pace in general. The first he allows Wright to get ahead of him. The second, he doesn’t deal with the long ball, lets it bounce, then lets Wright in behind him. He wants help from Brynn, but he needs to be dealing with that one.
Matt Targett – 4
Struggled all evening with the lively Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and then left his arm out to concede the penalty just after Boro got back in the game. It came in the first place as he found himself getting back in having been found on the wrong side. Struggled playing out too, giving away possession cheaply a lot in the first half.
Alan Browne – 4
Off his game in this one. Boro were bullied in the middle of the park and Browne just could not get his foot on the ball. Usually so calm and composed on the ball, his touches were heavy and his passes off on this occasion.
Aidan Morris – 5
Morris was tidier in possession overall than Browne, but still struggled to contend with the physical battle of the first half and often didn’t move it quick enough. Improved slightly in the second half as Boro enjoyed a bit more space.
Hayden Hackney – 5
Tried to make things happen for his side but this was one of those evenings where little he tried came off for him. He had his usual purpose, but no end product, while part of a midfield that ultimately lost the battle. Coventry knew to watch him closely.
Morgan Whittaker – 5
Came close with two headers either side of half-time, but otherwise struggled to get into the game as Boro couldn’t work through the lines to their forwards as quickly as they usually do.
Riley McGree – 6
Boro couldn’t get him into the game in the first half, but he started to find more space in the second half and grabbed a good goal that should have got Boro back into the game.
Tommy Conway – 5
Peeling wide often, that left him going up against the only right-back in the league who could challenge Brittain for the title of best right-back in the division. He was largely nullified.
Substitutions
Jeremy Sarmiento (For Browne, 58’) – 7 – A real positive emerging from the game was the impact of Sarmiento. He was unlucky in smashing the post and then played a role in the actual goal shortly after. A lively showing in his longest outing so far.
David Strelec (For Whittaker, 58’) – 6 – Worked hard and played his part in a better second half, without getting many rewards for it.
Kaly Sene (For Conway, 81’) – N/A
Sontje Hansen (For McGree, 90’) – N/A
Finley Munroe (For Targett, 90’) – N/A
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