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We watched the action unfold at the Riverside Stadium tonight, keeping an eye on both sides to offer Middlesbrough vs Leeds United player ratings for every man on the pitch.
Things got off to a blistering start, with Leeds United opening the scoring after just two minutes thanks to yet another successful combination between Manor Solomon and Dan James.
The ball was in the back of the net another two times in the first half, but neither goal stood, with Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway definitely offside when he poked home, and Ao Tanaka’s back-post tap-in wrongfully ruled out.
If the first half was tight and cagey, the second 45 minutes opened up massively, with both teams pushing for a goal in an end-to-end affair. Boro went close a number of times as they took the game to the Whites, but to no avail.
Leeds now return to the top of the table after getting back on track and silencing their many critics with a hugely important win. Boro, meanwhile, cling onto their spot in the top six, but it’s getting incredibly tense around those play-off places.
After an eventful and very close game, here are our Middlesbrough vs Leeds United player ratings.
Middlesbrough player ratings
Mark Travers – 7
Could have possibly got a bit more on James’ opener but hard to criticise from that range. Made a huge save to deny Piroe in the second half, though.
Anfernee Dijksteel – 5
Struggled to deal with Manor Solomon all game. That left hand side was a source of joy for Leeds throughout the night, with Dijksteel offering nothing.
Jonny Howson – 7
Another strong showing from the veteran at the heart of defence, especially on the ball, playing with composure throughout.
Rav van den Berg – 7
Like his centre-back partner, the young Dutchman was cool on the ball, and kept Joel Piroe quiet all game.
Samuel Iling-Junior – 4
Had a bit of a nightmare down that side, with Dan James running him ragged. Could and should have got in front of his man for the opening goal, couldn’t contain the Welshman from then on, and even allowed another goal at the back post which was ruled out to save his blushes.
Aidan Morris – 6
Left gaps in the centre of the park and couldn’t quite get with the rhythm of the game. Grew into the game and started to offer more around the final third with some neat passing.
Hayden Hackney – 6
Did the simple stuff really well, with lots of neat passing and tracking to turnover possession. We know Hackney is capable of great things, and while he was restricted for much of tonight, the young midfielder started to unlock Leeds with his intelligent playmaking and vision.
Delano Burgzorg – 5
Absolutely anonymous in the first half. Popped up early in the second with a golden opportunity but fluffed his lines. Had another minutes later, but thrashed it straight at Karl Darlow. It’s all well and good being there to have so many shots, but he has to be scoring at least one of them. Very poor.
Finn Azaz – 6
A disappointing display from one of Middlesbrough’s top talents. Struggled to assert himself on the game in his central role. Guilty of an awful miss in the second half when Boro needed something to get level.
Tommy Conway – 6
A lively display yet again from Conway, and he was Middlesbrough’s main threat in the first half. Disappeared in the second half, though.
Kelechi Iheanacho – 6
Missed a good opportunity late in the first half. Offered some good hold-up play around the box but needed to be more of a presence in the area.
Morgan Whittaker – 6
On for Iheanacho with 25 minutes to go. Had one decent chance, but little else.
Marcus Forss – N/A
Not enough time to make an impact.
Dael Fry – N/A
Came on too late to get a rating.
Leeds United player ratings
Karl Darlow – 7
Very little to do in the first half, aside from being beaten by an offside effort. Made a big save to deny Burgzorg in the second.
Jayden Bogle – 6
Could probably have dealt with Tommy Conway a little better, but a fairly solid display from the full-back. Some nice link-up play with James down the right-hand side.
Joe Rodon – 6
Like Bogle, Rodon had his hands full with Kelechi Iheanacho, and did a good job without being remarkable.
Ethan Ampadu – 7
Solid at the back, with some smart defending to keep Middlesbrough at bay and take the sting out of the game at times.
Junior Firpo – 7
Broke the lines with a killer pass early on to play in Manor Solomon in the build-up to the opening goal. Did a great job defensively to keep Burgzorg quiet in the first half, but lost control of his man a little in the second.
Ao Tanaka – 8
Should be furious not to have been given the second goal of the game. Another slick, dynamic display from one of the best players in the Championship tonight. We also saw his more combative side, which just proves he is the complete midfielder.
Ilia Gruev – 6
A quiet one from the midfielder. Did the dirty work well enough, but Farke’s decision to throw him in didn’t necessarily end up being a masterstroke.
Dan James – 10
Made a bursting run to get on the end of Solomon’s cross and stick the ball in the net to give Leeds the perfect start. A livewire from start to finish; you could tell he was prepared to drag his team out of this rut singlehandedly. The undoubted man of the match in our Middlesbrough vs Leeds United player ratings.
Brendon Aaronson – 5
It’s hard not to feel like he’s the one player who stops Leeds from being a cohesive unit in attacking areas. Never quite got the final ball right, and always a little too slow in possession.
Manor Solomon – 8
Another brilliant assist for the Spurs loanee early doors. Caused Dijksteel chaos all night. Will have wanted to help put the game beyond doubt, but couldn’t get in the right place at the right time for Dan James to return the favour from earlier.
Joel Piroe – 5
Where has the prolific version of Joel Piroe gone? No goals in seven games now, and without looking at a team sheet, you’d never even know he was playing tonight. Once again, Piroe went missing.
Sam Byram – 5
Replaced Junior Firpo with just under 25 to go. Picked up a booking not long after. Looked shaky as Burgzorg grew into the game.
Willy Gnonto – 7
Came on for Manor Solomon on the 67-minute mark. Instantly added energy to the Leeds attack. His fresh legs could have helped Leeds see out the game.
Isaac Schmidt – 7
Replaced Dan James who had to leave the game due to injury. Played a role in a slick attacking move that ended in a goal which was wrongfully chalked off for offside. Like Gnonto, his energy was crucial to those final stages of the game.
Patrick Bamford – 7
On for Piroe with 20 minutes to go. Had the ball in the net soon after with a neat finish, but was victim of yet another wrong offside call.
Josuha Guilavogui – N/A
On too late to make an impact.