By Middlesbrough FC

Boro were beaten in Wales as Swansea City edged a tight game 1-0.

A goal midway through the first half proved to be the difference for the hosts.

 

39%

Possession

61%
13

Shots

9
4

Shots On Target

1
5

Corners

6
16

Fouls

12

1

0

Cards

1

0

Boro had the greater share of possession in the first half, but Swansea’s press caused problems and the hosts created the better opportunities.

A deflection made an Eom Jisung header difficult for Mark Travers in the early stages, but the Boro goalkeeper did well to push it away.

Travers also twice saved from the dangerous Jan Vipotnik, who was also denied by a Neto Borges block.

The Swans took the lead on 26 minutes after they won the ball inside Boro’s half and Eom glided forward before guiding an effort in off the post from 20 yards.

A Hayden Hackney strike was blocked late in the first half as Michael Carrick’s side looked for an equaliser, but they headed in at the break a goal behind.

Swansea: Vigouroux, Key, Cabango, Darling (Delcroix 63'), Tymon, Gonçalo Franco, O'Brien, Ronald, Cullen (Fulton 81'), Eom Ji-Sung (Cooper 74'), Vipotnik (Bianchini 74')

Subs: Fulton, Allen, Ginnelly, Bianchini, Christie, Naughton, Delcroix, Cooper, McLaughlin

Middlesbrough: Travers, Dijksteel, Fry (Howson 79'), Neto Borges, Giles (Iling-Junior 45'), Morris, Hackney, Forss (Iheanacho 45'), Whittaker (Burgzorg 69'), Azaz, Conway

Subs: Barlaser, Iheanacho, Burgzorg, Howson, Glover, Iling-Junior, Woolston, McCormick, McCabe

Boro made a double change at half-time, with Sam Iling-Junior and Kelechi Iheanacho introduced to the action.

Both made a positive impact on the game as the away side improved in their search of a leveller.

There was almost an immediate reward in the second half, but Tommy Conway’s shot from the right of the area whistled wide.

Boro needed Neto Borges to superbly block from Eom to keep the deficit at one, before they began to put pressure on the Swansea goal.

We almost pulled back on level terms when substitute Delano Burgzorg released Conway down the left of the area. His low strike was saved by the legs of home goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux.

Finn Azaz had an effort deflected wide from the edge of the box, Iheanacho fired one over and Conway had a shot blocked as Boro continued to probe.

Breaking through for an equaliser proved to be beyond the Teessiders, though, as the home side took all three points.