Boro away was never going to be an easy game and finding our rhythm to play our best football was going to be a challenge. Admittedly we never really got playing our best football, but the strongest teams in this division always find a way to win- this is exactly what Walter Mazzari's men did.
Middlesbrough dominated proceedings in the first half but Gomes never really had to make a save and annoyingly every time we looked to try and force the issue our attacks were halted by a very scrappy Boro team desperate for points. The hosts should've been down to ten men with 35 minutes gone, Barragan who had earlier been booked for hauling down Success did so again but referee Roger East completely bottled it and warned the player instead of giving the second yellow card the foul deserved.
In the second half we looked to take the game to hosts but again struggled to find our flow and Troy Deeney was isolated which meant chances were at a premium for The Hornets. However with our first shot on target we took the lead- Success drove into the box and was brought down but a penalty wasn't awarded. Jose Holebas picked the ball up on the edge of the area and struck it into the top corner for his second of the season.
From then on The Hornets dug deep and won every second ball with commitment and desire. Boro attempted to pile on the pressure but the tenacious work of the defence and midfield meant that Gomes didn't really have to make one memorable stop. This is the difference this year, under Flores I am almost certain we would've crumbled but under Mazzari he insists the steely determination that was shown for the most part of todays game. Yes we didn't play well but we turned up to grind 3 points out in what ultimately was a tricky game.
We again face another tough away match to Swansea next weekend but if we can suck up the pressure and be clinical when a chance arises there is no doubt in my mind that we can pick up another valuable 3 points. We will have to be better on the ball and show a bit more of an attacking threat next week but with the pace and power of Success and Deeney then we can cause a shaky Swans defence lots of problems.
A great result and a determined performance.
You 'Orns!
Man of the match: Isaac Success
Match rating- 4/10- boring game for the neutral but 3 points boosts this from what would've been a 1/10 if we had lost.
Pogba v Capoue- Capoue still leads the way but Pogba doesn't play until tomorrow.
@Adzrowe on twitter
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