MX23RW : Sunday, January 16 01:27:42| >> :600:90460:90460:
Sep 14, 2019 at 3pm UK at Riverside Stadium
Attendance: 19,414
Middlesbrough
1-0
Reading
Johnson (60')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Result: Middlesbrough hang on to edge past Reading

Goalkeeper Darren Randolph makes several fine saves for Boro.

Middlesbrough celebrated their 500th league game at the Riverside in style as Marvin Johnson's second-half strike secured a 1-0 win over Reading.

Twenty-four years after the Teessiders began their new life away from Ayresome Park with a 2-0 win over Chelsea, Jonathan Woodgate's side were triumphant again as they claimed their second Sky Bet Championship success of the season.

Johnson's free-kick settled things, although Middlesbrough were indebted to goalkeeper Darren Randolph for three excellent late saves that prevented Reading from claiming an equaliser.

Reading boss Jose Gomes surprisingly opted to drop striker George Puscas to the bench and while the Romanian's replacement, Yakou Meite, enjoyed a reasonable first half, he was unable to match his team-mate's goalscoring threat.

Having broken into the right-hand side of the area early on, Meite's shot was blocked by Ryan Shotton, and the Ivory Coast international faltered again later in the first half, drilling a low shot straight at Randolph after exploiting some hesitancy from Marc Bola.

Randolph also made a first-half save from John Swift, but it was not one-way traffic before the break with Middlesbrough creating chances of their own.

The best fell to Paddy McNair but while the Northern Irishman did well to break into the box from the right, his low shot was directed too close to Rafael Cabral, with the Reading goalkeeper getting down well to save.

It was a day when both keepers impressed and Randolph made another important intervention at the start of the second half.

Liverpool loanee Ovie Ejaria fired in a crisp drive from the edge of the area but Randolph highlighted why he is regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers outside of the Premier League as he saved to his left.

It proved a key moment as 10 minutes later Middlesbrough claimed the lead. Michael Morrison fouled Ashley Fletcher close to the right touchline, enabling Johnson to whip in a free-kick.

Fletcher lunged at the ball in the six-yard box and while he failed to make any contact, he unsighted Cabral, who could only watch on as the ball nestled in the corner of the net.

Boro almost claimed a second moments later but as Lewis Wing fashioned a shooting opportunity as he dribbled past two men into the box, his effort was blocked by a fine sliding challenge from Andy Yiadom.

Johnson also threatened to extend the home side's lead as he fired in a shot that Cabral turned around the post, but Reading came close to an equaliser with nine minutes left. Swift's chipped free-kick was heading in until Randolph tipped the ball over the top.

Boro's goalkeeper was the key figure in the closing stages, with two dramatic late saves securing his side all three points.

Displaying superb agility, Randolph turned Lucas Joao's front-post header around the post before clawing away another goal-bound effort from Liam Moore.

ID:371440: cacheID:371440:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5903:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Jose Gomes pictured on August 3, 2019
Read Next:
Gomes planning to reshuffle Royals pack for visit of Cardiff
>

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Premier League
Championship
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Primeira Liga
Supercopa de Espana
Copa del Rey
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Liga MX
Australian A-League
Premier League 2 - Div 2
International Friendlies
Women's Super League
Africa Cup of Nations
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Fulham25156464214351
2Bournemouth26147543232049
3Blackburn RoversBlackburn26147544281649
4Queens Park RangersQPR2513573830844
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom26119631201142
6Middlesbrough2612683125642
7Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2711883330341
8Coventry CityCoventry2410773328537
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2610793328537
10Stoke CityStoke2410592825335
11Millwall258982728-133
12Blackpool2696112732-533
13Luton TownLuton238873429532
14Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd239592930-132
15Preston North EndPreston248882730-332
16Bristol City2686123245-1330
17Swansea CitySwansea237792732-528
18Birmingham CityBirmingham2577112433-928
19Hull City2465132029-923
20Cardiff CityCardiff2565142644-1823
21Reading2584133045-1522
22Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2454152148-2719
23Derby CountyDerby2681172524114
24Barnsley2428141636-2014

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Match previews - Daily
Transfer Talk Daily
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!