How the Middlesbrough players rated after a frustrating goalless draw with Oxford at the Riverside
17:30, 21 Feb 2026Updated 18:13, 21 Feb 2026
Tommy Conway of Middlesbrough looks dejected(Image: Getty Images)
Middlesbrough failed to find a moment of quality as they were held to a frustrating goalless draw at home against Oxford United.
Exactly as the U’s had a fortnight ago at Coventry City, Oxford came and sat deep with ten men behind the ball, limiting the space for Boro in the final third.
While Boro pushed and probed throughout the 90, they just could not find the moment they needed as they dropped two points in the promotion race. Here’s how the players were rated.
Sol Brynn – 6
Rarely had much to do throughout the game beyond holding a couple of shots from range well. Nothing he could have done when beaten by two efforts that both came off the woodwork.
Callum Brittain – 7
Worked tirelessly throughout to join the attack, making a regular and threatening run to the byline. With Oxford a threat on the counter, he got back when he needed to as well, rarely leaving his team-mates exposed at the other end.
Dael Fry – 7
Dominant performance. While he doesn’t quite have the same passing range as Ayling, his dominance in the duels was key to Boro staying on the front foot, as he battled well throughout against Will Lankshear.
Adilson Malanda – 7
Complemented Fry well at the back and did largely everything that was required of him whenever Oxford tried to counter, or delivered a set-piece into the Boro box.
Matt Targett – 6
Without majorly shining, he did his job with minimal fuss throughout. Tried to get forward and support the attack, but didn’t ever quite find the delivery that opened the defence.
Aidan Morris – 6
Drove Boro forward so often, but, when he got into the final third, he so often lacked the conviction to find a killer pass or a clinical finish. Not for the first time, his shooting left a lot to be desired. It’s not usually his responsibility, but in this one, he had the moments and the spaces to do more.
Hayden Hackney – 6
As standard, he was regularly the man trying to drive his team forward and trying to make something happen. On a frustrating day, he just couldn’t quite find a moment, but it wasn’t for the want of trying absolutely everything he could.
Morgan Whittaker – 5
Saw plenty of the ball in the final third but just could not make something happen. Finishing was lacking in key moments, while he wasn’t strong enough at times to retain possession in the intricate areas.
Jeremy Sarmiento – 5
The odd flash of quality in possession. But against a side with ten men behind the ball, it was evident he just didn’t quite have the connections with his team-mates as Boro needed to be slicker to break the low-block down. Wasted one first half chance when the ball was cut back to him.
David Strelec – 6
Worked hard throughout but struggled to find much space for a major impact against Oxford’s low block. Did create Boro’s best chance when he put Conway in behind.
Tommy Conway – 5
As usual, his work rate was second to none, and that was typified by his last-ditch tackle in the first half after one Oxford counter that looked particularly dangerous. But, just as importantly, he missed the one chance Boro had when they managed to actually get the ball in behind.
Substitutions
Riley McGree (For Sarmiento, 59’) – 6 – Tried as he may to make something happen, he struggled to get on the ball and do much with it, with minimal space offered to exploit.
Alex Gilbert (For Morris, 75’) – 5 – Brought on to add a bit more quality on the ball in the midfield, but couldn’t make anything happen, with his one effort from range – usually a strength – ending in row Z.
Kaly Sene (For Strelec, 75’) – 4 – Wasted his chance for an extended period on the pitch. Offered nothing.
Alan Browne (For Whittaker, 82’) – N/A
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