WAT’S UP AND SWANS DOWN
Warnock joy as Boro bask in two-goal Dunc’s deflected glory
2 BORO’S Duncan Watmore rediscovered his old magic with a matchwinning double – and was branded “a gem of a lad” by Neil Warnock.
A month ago Watmore was a free agent, without a club and desperate to relaunch a career stalled by injuries.
But the former England Under-21 and Sunderland winger in the Premier League showed he can still be a big threat by grabbing his first goals since October last year.
Watmore, 26, regained his fitness by training with Middlesbrough last month and earned a short- term deal until January.
Boro manager
Warnock says he quickly fitted in, became a sparky member of the squad – and he got his reward in the 26th minute last night.
Watmore dribbled across the face of the Swansea box and smashed a shot that took a wicked deflection off defender Marc Guehi and past Freddie Woodman.
And after 67 minutes he had another goal.
Paddy McNair drilled a brilliant reverse pass to Watmore. The university economics graduate still had plenty to do, but running into the area at a tight angle he rocketed Woodman.
Swansea gave Boro the jitters by striking back in the 78th minute. Sub Yan Dh a n d a re c r e a t e d Watmore’s opener, firing in a shot that deflected over keeper Marcus Bettinelli.
Warnock said: “We are delighted for Duncan. He is a gem of a lad. We didn’t pay him for a few weeks. He had offers from India and South Africa, but he loved it here. It was great to get him in.
“It is not easy to score that second. He worked his socks off. It is only one game. Let’s a shot past wait and see on his contract. We have not got anyone like that. We want good wide players and he can play up front. He covers more ground than anyone.
“It is all about him tonight. We gave Duncan a round of applause in the dressing room. He will go home and be on cloud nine.”
Steve Cooper dished out a rollocking to his side at halftime, made three changes and saw them improve.
The Swans boss said: “We weren’t ourselves and gave away two poor goals. There are not many positives to take. The players know we dropped our standards and fell short.
Warnock added: “They are a good side but we were better.
“And we stood up to their intimidation at the end.”