Woodgate still after first win
THE master got one over on the apprentice as Danny Graham’s penalty condemned Middlesbrough to defeat.
Graham despatched an emphatic spot-kick in the 25th minute, awarded after he was held back by Anfernee Dijksteel in the box.
Jonathan Woodgate learned his trade as a player under former Boro boss Tony Mowbray.
But it was the veteran Blackburn chief who came out on top here as Woodgate, in his first season as manager, saw his winless run continue.
Mowbray said: “It’s off and running. Sometimes until you get that first win at the start of any season it can weigh heavy on your team.
“They brought the qualities to the party that we know they have in abundance really: hard work, desire, drive, commitment, fighting for each other.
“It was all there and all on show and we got the result.”
Mowbray expects his former club to soon pick up, despite taking just one point from three games.
He said: “I think Middlesbrough are a good side. I’ve got a big affinity with that football team and with their coach.
“I signed Woody for Middlesbrough however many years ago and I signed Robbie Keane for Celtic as well so, their coaching staff, I wish them all the best.
“I think Jonathan will put that group of players into a way of winning football matches, I am pretty sure of that.
“Middlesbrough will be fine, I’m sure – it’s about momentum.”
This game marked the 19th anniversary of former owner Jack Walker’s death which the crowd commemorated with applause in the 19th minute.
And they were off their feet when the hosts won the winning penalty, won and scored by Graham after the striker’s shirt was held.
The visitors had their own fair share of chances, with Lewis Wing slicing a right-footed shot wide.
Marcus Browne almost levelled when Paddy Mcnair’s ball eluded Christian Walton, but the substitute hit the post.
The hosts were inches from doubling the lead when former Boro winger Stewart Downing curled a shot just wide and Darren Randolph had to spread himself to block Joe Rothwell.
Woodgate did not believe his side deserved to lose, saying: “I thought it was a poor game really from both teams.
“I thought a draw would have been a fair result, I don’t think any team particularly dominated.
“Football is fine margins. They get the penalty and score, we hit the post late on.
“One of those games, but we need to really grind it out and get that result.
“We move on and we go again Tuesday against Wigan.” BLACKBURN MIDDLESBRO 3 ........ Shots on Target .........2 5 ........Shots off Target .........7 9 ................Corners .................2 16 .................Fouls ...................11 4 ............... Offsides ..................1 65.9.. Passing Success ... 70.7 305 ...... Total Passes ......... 341 47.8 ........Possession ........52.2 53.9.. Territorial Adv%.... 46.1