WING OF FIRE Pulis: Lewis has been breath of fresh air
■ No player has scored more goals as a substitute in the Championship this season than Middlesbrough’s Britt Assombalonga (3). THE rise and rise of Lewis Wing continues to read like a football fairy tale.
From non- League Shildon to football’s second tier in 18 months is quite a climb – but the attacking midfielder is making it look easy.
This latest chapter was quite the page-turner, with a first Championship goal and an assist for Britt Assombalonga’s l ate wi n n e r to spoil Birmingham’s second-half comeback.
Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis ( right) said: “Lewis has been a breath of fresh air. He’s going to be a good player but he’s got a lot to learn.
“Sometimes he goes AWOL in the team shape but he brings so much to the party. We have to be careful with him.”
Wing, substituted after picking up an injury, was given his Boro debut by former boss Garry Monk, who is now in charge of Birmingham.
The breakthrough goal came just before half-time and was thoroughly deserved. Wing slid in to convert George Saville’s pass into an assist and Boro seemed to be on their way, having wasted earlier opportunities.
Jordan Hugill had a shot blocked and then had one of those look- away- now moments when his effort pinged sideways and came close to clipping the c orner f l ag before rolling out for a throw.
Strikers can have one of those days and Hugill could certainly chalk down this match in that category.
Another effort was blocked by defender Kristian Pedersen’s foot. The loose ball fell to Dael Fry who was also foiled by the acrobatic Pedersen. Judging by the Blues’ revitalised appearance after the break, words had been said. Of the short and sweet variety.
The improvement was extraordinary, with Harlee Dean heading against a post, Lukas Jutkiewicz forcing a save from Darren Randoph and barely testing him with another free-kick.
Tempers flared when ref Graham Scott booked Che Adams for diving as he went down under a challenge from Daniel Ayala with Blues fans screaming for a penalty.
Adams’ response was his 13th goal of the season, from a pass by Lutkiewicz.
Then a quick ball from Wing, Assombalonga on it like a flash. The storyline got its happy ending.
Monk said: “I thought we were fantastic second half. Then one ball down the middle... it’s very harsh.”