MONK HAILS BAMFORD
ASTON VILLA 0 MIDDLESBROUGH 2: MUCH-CHANGED BORO DELIGHT MONK WITH CUP WIN
Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk was delighted to see Patrick Bamford bag his first goals of the season in last night’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win at Aston Villa.
A month since he last started a Sky Bet Championship fixture, the striker netted twice in the second half to secure a third-round victory at Villa Park.
The 24-year-old proved a troublesome opponent for Villa skipper Tommy Elphick, who was sent off for a second booking in the 58th minute for conceding a penalty with a foul on Bamford.
Villa had a let-off in the 27th minute when Bamford powered in a header against the bar following Connor Roberts’ right-wing cross.
It was a rare flash of quick, decisive play which deserved a better reward. But it did spark off an intensive spell of Boro pressure.
The game changed in the 57th minute when Elphick brought down Bamford in the area and collected a second booking and subsequently a red card.
Bamford made no mistake from the penalty spot, casually firing into the middle of the net as Jed Steer dived to his left – the first goal conceded by Villa in four games.
Bamford sealed Boro’s place in the fourth round with a looping header to convert Marcus Tavernier’s left-wing cross.
Monk, who gave ex-Shildon player Lewis Wing his debut, said: “Strikers will always be judged on the goals they score. Personally, I judge them on the work they do and how they play for the team. I look at goals as an added bonus.
“I think all the players, including Patrick, have been working incredibly hard all season. He has done extremely well and goals will boost his confidence.
“Strikers do not score in every game and he has had a period when he has not scored but he has to trust in hard work and trying to improve himself.
“We dominated the game from start to finish and thoroughly deserved the win.” Villa manager Steve Bruce was buoyed by the performance of 19-year-old forward Callum O’Hare. He said: “The sending off was a classic gamechanger. It was a red card. The big plus for me was the performance of the youngsters, in particular Callum O’Hare.”