{"id":511110,"date":"2026-04-03T17:24:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T17:24:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/511110\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T17:24:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T17:24:10","slug":"middlesbrough-ratings-vs-millwall-as-boros-top-two-performers-tells-its-own-story-in-defeat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/511110\/","title":{"rendered":"Middlesbrough ratings vs Millwall as Boro&#8217;s top two performers tells it&#8217;s own story in defeat"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>How the Middlesbrough players rated as they lost 2-1 against Millwall<\/p>\n<p>15:32, 03 Apr 2026Updated 15:34, 03 Apr 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Josh Coburn of Millwall scores against Middlesbrough\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_Middlesbrough-v-Millwall-Sky-Bet-Championship-Riverside-Stadium.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Josh Coburn of Millwall scores against Middlesbrough\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Josh Coburn of Millwall scores against Middlesbrough(Image: PA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Middlesbrough suffered what could prove a huge psychological blow to their promotion hopes after a dramatic second-half drop-off, and a Josh Coburn double, resulted in a loss to promotion rivals Millwall.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Boro had looked so dominant in the first half and led through Dael Fry\u2019s header. But once again passing up other opportunities to extend their lead, they were punished.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In a performance of two halves, Boro were poor after the interval and allowed Millwall back into the game. Coburn, sold in the summer by Boro, scored both as Millwall won 2-1 and leapfrogged Boro into second spot. Here\u2019s how the Boro players were rated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sol Brynn &#8211; 6<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Unlucky to come out on the losing side. Nothing he could do with either goal and was really unlucky to not keep out the first from close-range &#8211; just beaten in the end by power. Didn\u2019t have too much to do overall, but did make important saves just before and just after the first goal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Luke Ayling &#8211; 6<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Largely positive performance, winning his duels and playing out from the back. But he couldn\u2019t help Boro regain their composure after a poor start to the second half.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Dael Fry &#8211; 6<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Scored what, on another day, might have been a big goal. Was unlucky when another chance after that was blocked on its way through to goal. But he also missed a really early opportunity and it looked to impact him for a little while in what was a sloppy start. He recovered and battled well throughout.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Adilson Malanda &#8211; 5<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It had been a largely positive performance from the Frenchman. He won his duels and was stepping out of defence well and helping Boro play out. But then, with four minutes remaining, his unforgivably poor simple pass results in the break that wins Millwall the game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Callum Brittain &#8211; 5<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Had so much space to attack the right wing in the first half, but ultimately couldn\u2019t make enough of it to do much of real note. Then struggled to help Boro get a grip of the game in the second half.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Aidan Morris &#8211; 7<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Boro\u2019s best on the day. His aggression out of possession had Boro dominating the first half and he played some excellent balls to set Boro away on counters. Boro didn\u2019t ever have the same control in the second half, but Morris still set Boro away on their best move after the interval.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Alan Browne &#8211; 6<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Like most of the Boro players, he did well in the first half as he returned to a midfield role. He had an early headed chance and did well when on the ball. But Boro lost their control and Browne was unable to combine with team-mates and get to grips with the second half.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Riley McGree &#8211; 7<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Like Morris, he was one of Boro\u2019s best despite the pair travelling so far during the week to be back for this one. He picked up pockets of space and started so many attacks in the first half, and was unlucky to see a couple of efforts blocked too. Perhaps it was telling as Morris faded and McGree couldn\u2019t find the space, Boro couldn\u2019t enjoy much momentum after the break. There was then little on the bench to change things.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Matt Targett &#8211; 6<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Didn\u2019t have quite as much freedom to attack as Brittain but largely dealt with the threat of Azeez throughout before injury forced him off. One opportunity as he broke in behind, but Strelec\u2019s ball through lacked power to give him enough of a chance to make more of it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Tommy Conway &#8211; 5<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">His work-rate can\u2019t be faulted and in general, he gets involved with so much play. But he looks a player really lacking confidence in and around the box. Whether it\u2019s the wrong pass or the wrong run, he just seems to lack conviction around the goal right now.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">David Strelec &#8211; 6<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Was probably one of Strelec\u2019s best performances for Boro, particularly in the first half. His touches and link up play were as good as they\u2019ve been. He didn\u2019t really have any opportunities to score though, and the comparison will inevitably be made to the man at the other end who won the game for his side when he might have been a Boro player.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Substitutions<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Alex Bangura (For Targett, 79\u2019) &#8211; N\/A<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Jeremy Sarmiento (For Brittain, 90\u2019) &#8211; N\/A<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Here at TeessideLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best <a aria-label=\"Middlesbrough FCLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gazettelive.co.uk\/all-about\/middlesbrough-fc\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Middlesbrough FC<\/a> coverage and analysis.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Make sure you don&#8217;t miss out on the latest Boro news by joining our free WhatsApp group. 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