MATCH THREAD “ MIDDLESBROUGH v CARDIFF CITY “ MATCH THREAD

Should be 1-0. Ward inches away from connecting to Bennett’s curled low cross.

Ayala should have been booked for a challenge on Mendez-Laing.

Cynical tackle then from Gibson which does bring the game’s first booking. Also there’s been the first boos for Garry Monk as he retrieved the ball from the touchline. Cardiff fans reminding him of his Swansea past.

Fabio does the ayatollah!

‘Fabio, do the ayatollah’ ask the away fans. Given they’re now chanting his name and declaring the full-back is a Bluebird, appears he did it. Becoming a little scrappy at the moment.

Bluebirds have been decent

Some decent pressure from Cardiff — who have looked the more likely.

Boro playing a few direct balls, one of which Etheridge does well to clear with his head. Comfortable for Cardiff so far, but they haven’t got the reward yet.

Chance for Assombalonga

That’s probably Boro’s best chance so far, but it’s gone wide

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Manga mountain

It’s nip and tuck now, as Boro continue to look for long balls searching for Ashley Fletcher, who has worked very hard as the centre-forward.

Assombalonga is being well marshalled by Bruno Manga so far. Cardiff being penned in a little at the moment.

It’s gone a little scrappy at the Riverside, both teams being penalised for fouls.

But Cardiff’s dominance is waning a little as Manga trips Assombalonga.

Boro now getting stuck in

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Teesside fans tetchy

Further signs from impatience from the home fans as Botro try to keep possession and work out how to get through Cardiff, only to then force a pass and give it up cheaply. Cardiff aren’t doing quite enough with it at the moment, though they don’t really need to as the away team. What they will need to be is more decisive and clinical when they do get the chance to counter. A couple of occasions the pass has been off or the wrong option taken, certainly in comparison to earlier in the season. Still, good work ethic to keep pressing and Bamba is definitely back on form back in defence.

Bennett booked

Joe Bennett goes in the book for a foul on Stewart Downing.

Looked a little rash and merited a card.

Sol solid

Some decent interplay between the Boro forwards but Bamba is so composed in defence and helps Cardiff clear.

Nothing has really troubled the Bluebirds’ back line.

Not happy

There’s a Boro fan near the press box who has shouted ‘get it in the box’ at least 50 times already this half. He seems dissatisfied that his team are not paying attention to what he’s saying. We’re on the back row of the top tier. Football, ey.

Fab chance

Fabio emerges with the ball and has a great chance with his right foot cutting in from the left, but it’s blazed miles over.

The Brazilian got that all wrong.

HALF TIME: Middlesbrough 0-0 Cardiff City

Cardiff can feel pleased with themselves to go in at 0-0

H/T 0-0



HALF TIME: Middlesbrough 0-0 Cardiff City

After one minute is added on at the end of the first half, Cardiff see off a late surge from Middlesbrough to go into half-time unscathed.

Cardiff will be fairly happy that half-time came when it did with Boro on the front foot, but at the same time they can be happy enough given Boro have not really threatened and certainly not opened Cardiff up.

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I’d like to see a little more urgency in the second half

I'm happy with 0-0

Cardiff will want to up their work in the midfield with Ralls and Bryson struggling, certainly on the ball, and the frontline a little starved as a result.

The defence have performed well in that three with the added support of the wing-backs and it’ll be Monk who perhaps has more to think about at the break.

Boro now get the ball forward and Ashley Fletcher’s work rate seems to be paying off.

Bamba loses out to Assombalong and Peltier is then flagged up for a foul which gives Boro a free kick on the edge of the D.

The free kick was deflected just wide, but it’s given Boro fans heart now as they push for an opener.

Downing’s corner is cleared by Bamba into Mendez-Laing’s path.

It’s squared towards Hoilett but Boro scramble away. End to end stuff!

Boro the better start


Boro getting some chances from Downing's set piece delivery

- Mendez-Laing beats several men, carrying the ball the length of the pitch. Boro clear.

Hoilett down after a clatter and there seemed to be another tangle between Ward and Ayala, as there is a break in play. This is still a serious tussle.

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This game is hanging on a knife-edge

Bamba in the book

Cardiff getting a little rattled now and losing their shape.

Bamba booked for a challenge on Christie.

Boro asking more questions if Cardiff and are now starting to do what my supporter friend has asked and putting more balls in the box.

Still, nothing that has troubled Etheridge so far but the set-pieces are piling up. It does give Cardiff greater countering opportunities and Mendez-Laing had a worldy run a few minutes back where he beat several men but - and this is telling of Cardiff today - the pass wasn’t quite good enough and so it led to nothing.

Ward wins a free-kick from Ayala.