MONK GETS THAT SINKING FEELING
MIDDLESBROUGH nemesis Neil Warnock heaped more misery on Boro manager Garry Monk.
A late penalty from Joe Ralls took Cardiff back into second place behind Wolves and 10 points ahead of Boro, who have now failed to win in five games under new boss Monk.
Although Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was offside in the build-up, a ridiculous challenge on the winger by substitute Adama Traore gifted Ralls the 84th-minute spot-kick.
Ralls duly sent Darren Randolph the wrong way to clinch a poor game.
And it continued Warnock’s astonishing record against the Teesside club. The Cardiff boss is now the most successful modern-day manager against Boro, winning 11 of his 15 games with six different teams over 27 years. Warnock (below) said: “I do enjoy coming to Middlesbrough and have some good memories. I used to be in digs at Seaton Carew and I do like the people. “This is a tough place to come when you see the quality on their team-sheet but we have worked on a system all week and we did well. We were the most dangerous team. “The players didn’t make it easy for me with the misses we had, but you can see the team spirit and I am delighted with three points. “They like to make me work harder than I should at my age, I should have been sat there with a cigar at 3-0 but I am genuinely proud of them and their never-say-die attitude.” Lively Danny Ward had two excellent chances to break the deadlock but was denied by Randolph, who made amends for one awful clearance with a solid stop with his foot.
Former Boro full-back Joe Bennett created Cardiff ’s best first-half chance with a teasing cross which Ward narrowly missed as he slid in at the far post.
The home side’s record signing Britt Assombalonga, playing a deeper role behind Ashley Fletcher, clipped wide at the other end but his most telling contribution was a goal-line clearance to prevent Cardiff taking the lead in the 63rd minute.
Sol Bamba was convinced that his bundled shot hit Assombalonga’s hand but referee Andrew Madley disagreed and the £15million striker booted the ball clear.
Stewart Downing went close for Boro with a free-kick before Assombalonga, Fabio and Martin Braithwaite all squandered good opportunities.
Rueful Monk admitted: “It is a frustrating period for us and the fans but this result was harsh on us, 100 per cent.
“What is clear is that we stick together. We need their support.
“You can see the players’ spirit and how committed they are.
“We are close but we are being punished for errors.” MIDDLESBRO CARDIFF 2 ............ Shots on Target ......... 3 4 ........... Shots off Target ......... 4 5 ............. Blocked Shots ........... 1 8 ................... Corners ................ 2 19 ..................... Fouls .................. 12 0 ................... Offsides ................. 1 2 ............... Yellow Cards ............ 2 0 ................. Red Cards .............. 0 69.3 ...... Passing Success .. 64.5 14 ................... Tackles ............... 25 57.1 ........ Tackles Won % .... 64.0 58.9 .......... Possession .......... 41.1 44.9 .... Territorial Adv % ...55.1 423 ........... Total Passes ........ 301 20 ............ Total Crosses ........... 11 62.5 ........ 1st Half Poss ........ 37.5 55.1 ......... 2nd Half Poss . ..... 44.9