Assessment 3

Barnsley 2-0 Middlesbrough

Barnsley breezed past Middlesbrough to maintain their unlikely play off push and condemn Boro to a fourth game without a win.

In what was an uneventful first half, Middlesbrough had the best chance of the half as Toby Sibbick’s header back to goalkeeper Brad Collins fell short, however George Saville could not capitalise for the away side.

The second half was much more eventful, the game sprang into life in the 62^nd minute as an Alex Mowatt corner deceived everyone and ended up in the back of the Boro net.

13 minutes later, the Tykes wrapped up victory after Mowatt’s snapshot effort found it’s way to the head of Carlton Morris who’s header was saved and cleared, only for Callum Brittain to whip in an inch perfect ball for Daryl Dike to net his eighth goal since joining on loan from Orlando in January.

Victory for Barnsley leaves them fifth in the table, five points ahead of seventh placed Reading, while defeat for Boro practically ends any chance of a late play off push.

Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael: "At the end of the day, this is what matters - to get the job done. The first half was a sleepy game without intensity and the opponent was very organised and tried to pick the time from the clock to take out the intensity of the game.

"It was our purpose to win as we knew the three points meant we crossed the 70-point line and for the psychological effects for the guys, it was very important to get the job done.

"We are capable of scoring at any time and the big focus from the guys was to stay in the game and avoid the mistakes and continue to put the pressure on the opponent to score at the right moment."

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock: "We should have been two goals up, two good chances really.

"And you know you're not going to get many in a game like that because the ball is never on the floor.

"If we're two goals up I think we win the game, then to concede when we did is ridiculous really."

Barnsley’s next challenge is an away trip to the St Andrew’s stadium to take on Coventry City and will be looking to make it seven away wins on the bounce, while Middlesbrough take on QPR in an end of the season mid table clash.

story link: https://youtu.be/V3Rhb4xn5UA

 (The story looked miles better on the phone view, but you will still understand the story).