Karanka rocket needed to inspire Middlesbrough

AITOR KARANKA delivered a half-time rocket to inspire ten-man Boro to victory. The sides went in 0-0 at the break, and the spaniard left his players in little doubt as to what was expected against Championship opponents. speaking after a win during which defender Daniel Ayala was sent off, he stated: ‘I said at half-time I thought we were playing a friendly game. ‘sometimes it’s difficult against a team in a lower division, but in the second half we had the right attitude. ‘Everybody was fighting and that’s what matters.’ Grant Leadbitter lifted the gloom with a perfectly-placed free-kick, although seconds later Ayala was dismissed for a foul on fernando forestieri. Alvaro Negredo and Marten de Roon both scored to seal the victory.