After two long trips, Middlesbrough returns to the riverside to extend their unbeaten run in the Championship
Coventry City are the visitors as Neil Warnock’s team look to build on their impressive recent results
The Sky Blues head to Teesside on the back of a home pounding against Blackburn Rovers this weekend, although Mark Robins’ side went down to 10 men with the game goalless
This is the first time the teams have met in the league since 2012, when Coventry lacked a 3-1 winner Former Boro striker Alex Nimely was on the scoresheet that day
Join Dominic Shaw and Craig Johns for Riverside preparation, live updates, analysis and reaction
Boro knocked on the door, Boro rang the bell And finally, in the 81st minute, Sam Morsy did Britt Assombalonga a favor and let him in!
The Boro skipper made his first goal of the season an important one, sealing all three points for his side in the final ten minutes of what appeared to be an incredibly frustrating night for Boro against Coventry
Widely expected given the difficulty of the opposition, Boro was for once the team at the head of almost all of this championship shock at Riverside
But on a disappointing and ultimately somewhat relieving evening Boro was nearly defeated by his lack of quality in the final third before a captain intervened
It was also time for a late goal from Djed Spence to double Boro’s lead and make him look more comfortable than he actually was. Work done
Jonny Howson picked Djed Spence, the goalkeeper rushed out of the line but the winger touched him around him and went home
Djed Spence had a chance to keep the ball on the ground near the corner, but the winger threw a cross, hit it and gave the ball to Coventry
He split the Coventry defense with a divine pass, leaving Assombalonga with only the keeper to beat
He shoots from outside the box instantly, but his efforts were tame and comfortably gathered
There was a scuffle in the club a few minutes ago when Assombalonga tried to play Saville but Coventry held on
Substitutes Coulson and Browne will be desperate to make a mark here after spending most of the season on the bench
I thought Tavernier, who was replaced, was Boro’s best tonight Another awesome show as a wingback
Boro makes a double change, with Marcus Browne and Hayden Coulson in place of Tavernier and Roberts
The town man winks to find himself a yardstick then tries to choose the top corner with his left foot
Marosi can only stand up and watch, and is relieved to see the ball flashing just above
Marcus Tavernier, who always plays on the right side, cuts off the left foot and shoots
Marosi stops him but doesn’t choke until the second time. He couldn’t hold out much tonight when Boro tested him
Boro has Nathan Wood on the bench, but the last thing Warnock wants on the minute is another injury to stretch his team thin
Coventry could not face a cross from the right, the free ball fell at the feet of Morsy whose effort was deflected on the bar
Well, Patrick Roberts jumped on a loose pass earlier, before launching into a charge in the visiting area
Jonny Howson the first Boro player to try his luck early in the second half
Cool, calm and collected, but missed an opportunity to put the ball into the box earlier when he made a breakthrough forward
Brilliant in his role as a midfielder Always seems to be in the right place at the right time The touches and passes have been great
One of Boro’s most dangerous attacking points A crossing and a blow caused Marosi to overflow
But organized Coventry came up with a plan and they did a good job of frustrating the home team
Middlesbrough FC, Cardiff City FC, Neil Warnock, EFL Championship
World news – UK – Boro 2-0 Coventry City: Reaction and analysis after key home win
