Poor relief for Wilder
By at the Riverside Stadium CHRIS WILDER admitted Middlesbrough edged victory with their poorest performance since he took charge.
Wing-back Isaiah Jones’ first senior Boro goal gave Wilder’s boys a 26th-minute lead – and they held on to leapfrog Swansea and move to within four points of the play-off places.
But the home side had to defend resolutely to make it backto-back wins, and Boro boss Wilder conceded: “We showed different qualities in this game, and we just found a way to keep the ball out of the net.
“The way we want to play is the way we played in the last three games. The opposition would have seen those games, where we were a lot better with the ball.’’
Duncan Watmore, who had brought Wilder his first win as Boro boss in his third game in charge with a brace in the 2-1 victory at Huddersfield last weekend, soon had the scent of goal again. The forward charged down keeper Ben Hamer’s attempted clearance in the opening moments, but the ball bounced well wide.
Boro keeper Luke Daniels suffered a seventh-minute scare when Ryan Manning’s left-wing cross-shot glanced off the bar.
But Boro made the breakthrough when Jones powered his way in on the right and, with only Hamer to beat, steered his finish inside the near post.
Close to half-time, Jamie Paterson – whose hopes of a summer move to Boro were hit by an ankle injury while on trial – was booked for diving by referee Andy Davies after trying to go round Daniels.
When Joel Piroe managed to slip the ball past Daniels early in the second half, Paddy McNair performed a miraculous goalline clearance. Striker Piroe also had a chance to level late on, but lifted the ball over.
Swans boss Russell Martin felt his side should have had two penalties.
He explained: “Patto was through on the goalkeeper and it’s potentially a penalty.
“Patto’s adamant there’s a touch, otherwise he’d just stay on his feet. There’s also one where Joel is running through, and I will ask the referee for an explanation because he’s brought down.’’
MIDDLESBROUGH: Daniels 7; Dijksteel 6 (Fry 90, 5), Bamba 8, McNair 7; Jones 7, Crooks 5, Howson 6, Tavernier 6, Bola 6; Sporar 6 (Ikpeazu 73, 5) Watmore 6 (Hernandez 72, 5).
Subs not used: Lumley, Taylor, Payero, Lea Siliki.
SWANSEA: Hamer 6; Cabango 6, Naughton 7, Williams 5 (Obafemi 67, 5); Laird 5 (Latibeaudiere 78, 5), Grimes 6, Downes 5, Manning 7; Smith 5 (Ntcham 46, 6), Paterson 5; Piroe 7. Subs not used: Benda, Bennett, Cullen, Bidwell.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Sol Bamba: A tower of strength at the heart of Boro’s defence. REFEREE: Andy Davies 6.