Pulis reaps reward of Randolph’s heroics
MIDDLESBROUGH 1 Bogle (84 og) DERBY COUNTY 1 Friend (19 og)
Tony Pulis admitted Middlesbrough had been poor, despite grinding out a point during against with Derby County, a game that produced two own-goals.
The Rams dominated the first half at the Riverside, but Frank Lampard’s side were unable to add to the own-goal by George Friend after 19 minutes, despite cutting through the home team’s defence numerous time.
Boro goalkeeper Darren Randolph made a handful of saves to keep the score down, including pushing away a spectacular Harry Wilson volley.
And with six minutes to go, with Boro having mounted some late pressure, Derby’s Jayden Bogle also scored past his own goalkeeper, volleying into the net when attempting to clear, earning a point that Middlesbrough barely deserved.
“In the first half we started really, really poorly, really on the back foot,” Pulis said. “We did some work this week about getting up to the ball and we started on the back foot.
“We got really sloppy. Aden Flint plays a ball out to Paddy McNair, he flicks one out. We get Mo Besic doing a Cruyff turn on the edge of the box and then Adam Clayton has three or four touches, it just gave them the momentum.
“Randolph has kept us in the game and, at 1-0, you’ve always got a chance. Second half, the game wasn’t as fluid but we ground it out. We worked very, very hard. The lads had a go and I’ve been involved in games when we’ve played exceptionally well and lost and played exceptionally well and not won, so today we haven’t played that well but we’ve ground out a point.”
Lampard knew Derby should have been further ahead at the break. He said: “We should have won the game in the first half really, we played outstandingly well, the only thing short in our game in the first half was the two or three goals it warranted.
“And the fact is when you are 1-0 up at Middlesbrough, you know it’s the most dangerous scoreline because they will go even more direct to try to get back in the game and I thought we dealt with that brilliantly.
“People were throwing bodies on the line and it was just unfortunate that goes in at the end, it’s a bit of a freak goal.
“They had opportunities, don’t get me wrong, but the clear opportunities were ours.”
On Bogle’s own-goal, Lampard said: “I spoke to him straight away on the pitch and he shouldn’t be down at all.
“It’s no reflection on him at all, as I say it was a freak goal.”