How the Middlesbrough players rated against Millwall after a 2-2 draw
Middlesbrough’s Will Lankshear (second left) celebrates scoring their side’s second goal of the game(Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Wire)
Middlesbrough staged a second-half fightback after Kim Hellberg’s triple change at half-time, to earn a point at home to Millwall.
Shellshocked in a poor first half, Boro found themselves 2-0 down at the interval, before Hellberg was ruthless with his changes.
It worked too, with Amario Cozier-Duberry and Will Lankshear scoring the goals that saw Boro get themselves back level. They were somewhat unlucky not to win it in the end too. Here’s how the Boro players were rated.
Radek Vitek – 6
He’ll be disappointed to be beaten at his near post for the first goal. Went some way to making amends with a big save shortly after Boro got themselves level.
Callum Brittain – 7
Another big performance down the right. He was full of energy and did everything he could to ensure Boro got something out of the match.
Ashley Phillips – 6
It was a tough night to come into the side and have to try to deal with Millwall’s physicality. He battled hard and caused a few problems in the opposition box too.
Luke Ayling – 5
Went some way to redeeming himself in the second half when his excellent cross provided the equaliser. But his slow start to the game was costly for Boro, with sloppy passes and then being beaten far too easily by Arconte to run in behind for the opener.
Neto Borges – 6
Didn’t do an awful lot wrong, but was sacrificed at half-time to allow Arfsten to come on and offer more attacking intent and pace.
Aidan Morris – 7
Plenty of heart and fight to ensure Boro didn’t go under. He was aggressive in a ultra positive second half to ensure the side could be positive without too open.
Sebastian Berhalter – 6
Of the little Boro created in the first half, he was usually involved in some way. One excellent cross presented Lankshear with a back-post chance. Sacrificed for an extra attacking option at half-time.
Amario Cozier-Duberry – 8
Even in a first-half where Boro couldn’t get anything going, Cozier-Dubbery was the one who at least had a bit of spark. He was rewarded with his goal in the second half, and was unfortunate not to have scored or created a winner.
Riley McGree – 7
He just couldn’t find his moment despite his best efforts in the first half, but was instrumental in the second half with his energy to get involved in attack, while being conscious of not leaving the side too open.
Tommy Conway – 5
After his huge impact at the weekend, he didn’t manage to get going in this one, with Millwall’s low block proving frustrating for him. Try as he might, he lacked the quality in the key moment any time he got into a dangerous area. There were frustrations for him, however, as Boro didn’t pick him out when he made the run, which was no fault of his own.
Will Lankshear – 7
A threat throughout in the penalty area, which begs the question why Boro didn’t cross more in the first half. Provided the service in the second half, he produced the equaliser.
Subs
Max Arftsen (For Borges, 46’) – 7 – Provided what Boro needed with pace, skill and attacking intent in the second half, albeit without any moment to show for it.
Kyle Joseph (For Berhalter, 46’) – 7 – His energy and hassling played a big part in Boro’s important first goal, and he was desperately unlucky not to score one of his own.
Jeremy Sarmiento (For Conway, 46’) – 7 – Plenty of intent and spark from the bench. Wasted one big chance when put in behind, but then went so close with a spectacular effort.
Myles Peart-Harris (For McGree, 77’) – N/A
David Strelec (For Cozier-Duberry, 87’) – N/A
Get YOUR Middlesbrough FC Newsletter
Get the most comprehensive Middlesbrough news and analysis straight to your Inbox!
To get it, it’s a quick and easy one-two:
Head THIS WAYEnter your email and hit Subscribe.