Match Review: Boro 2 Southampton 1

Michael Carrick’s Boro finally got their deserved rewards after coming from behind to beat Southampton at the Riverside.

After conceding early, Boro played some terrific attacking football with goals from Riley McGree and Jonny Howson securing a first win of the season.

Boro started the game with real intent and looked to get at Southampton from the off, but it was the visitors who had the first opportunity. Will Smallbone picked up on a loose pass to release Che Adams, who shot wide from distance.

In possession, the visitors were a threat with their passing and movement, and they opened the scoring on 17 minutes when Adams picked out Adam Armstrong with a great pass and the striker showed great composure in finishing things off.

Boro’s extraordinary bad luck was summed up shortly before the half-hour when Izzy Jones pulled it back for McGree, who was sliding in at the far post, and the ball hit the inside of the upright before being cleared off the line.

Boro had played some excellent football without finding the final killer touch. When McGree led a quick break, a desperate leg intercepted when Josh Coburn was well placed to equalise.

The equaliser did come before the break though, and it was richly deserved. Jones showed great desire to steal position and McGree took it on to create himself the opportunity to shoot before the grasp of Gavin Bazunu.

Indeed, Boro almost took the lead in stoppage time. More good play had the visitors at sixes and sevens, and Darragh Lenihan was just wide of the mark with a header.

Boro started the second period equally brightly and Jones warmed the hands of Bazunu after some good play. McGree also tried his luck with an audacious attempt from distance after Southampton gave the ball away just inside their own half.

McGree also rattled one straight at Bazunu after a stray header by the visiting defence created the chance.

But Boro had a deserved opportunity of a winner when Taylor Haywood-Bellis wrestled Coburn to the ground and Tim Robinson pointed to the spot.

Howson was the man who stepped up to convert the spot-kick to fire Boro into the lead in a league game for the first time this season.

Coburn almost capped off his first Riverside start with a goal for himself, but he was denied by the legs of Bazunu who made a vital save.

The striker also supplied the cross for McGree to rattle the upright as the clock ticked down, while at the other end Seny Dieng made a good save from Sam Edozie.