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.