SHEFF WED (4-3-3): Price 5, Hunt 5, Sasso 4, Lees 3, Wiggins 5, Hutchinson 5 (Semedo 21, 5), Lee 4, LOPEZ 7 (Sougou 75), Wallace 4 (Nuhui 46, 6), Joao 4, Matias 6.
Subs (not used): Wildsmith, Palmer, Turner, McGugan.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):
6 Konstantopoulos: Was unlucky to be beaten by a deflection for Wednesday’s goal and made a good save from Lopez’s free-kick
7 Nsue: Kept Kalas out of the starting line-up and provided plenty of energy surging up and down the right flank
7 Gibson: Couldn’t have done anything about the deflection to Matias’ shot and was a steadying influence throughout
8 Ayala: Refused to be bullied by Nuhui in the second half and made a sensational interception to deny Lee
7 Friend: Mr Consistent in terms of the level of his performance and was typically impressive on the left-hand side
6 Leadbitter: Boasted boundless reserves of energy as he drove Boro on, but might feel he should have closed down Matias for the Owls’ goal
7 Clayton: Was an important factor at the heart of midfield as he recycled possession effectively and dictated the tempo of the game
7 Downing: The best player on the field for most of the first half, with his eye for a pass causing Wednesday a succession of problems
8 FABBRINI: Pulled the Sheff Wed defence all over the place as he created pockets of space and converted the crucial second goal superbly
7 Reach: Threatened repeatedly before the interval and drilled home the opening goal with a crisp low strike
6 Kike: Displayed plenty of enthusiasm, but didn’t link the play as effectively as Nugent did in the final half hour
Subs:
Nugent (for Kike, 58): Set up Boro’s final two goals with excellent touches and can expect to start against MK Dons 7
Stuani (for Downing, 68): Produced another eye-catching substitute cameo, which was capped by a fine late goal 7
Forshaw (for Fabbrini, 84)
(not used): Mejias (gk), Kalas, Stephens, Woodgate.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Diego Fabbrini – It says everything about his early-season performances that he is deservedly keeping Stewart Downing out of the pivotal ‘number ten’ role.
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