Middlesbrough hit the top after defeating Sheffield Wednesday as good times come back to the Riverside
Middlesbrough 3 Sheffield Wednesday 1
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Friday night, the Riverside Stadium almost full, Middlesbrough top of the division. It all worked last night.
Middlesbrough were too good and too clever for a Sheffield Wednesday side for whom this season will most likely be long and testing. Promoted last season, they need to survive to build, and in their hosts was a reminder that it can take time.
Middlesbrough have been out of the Premier League for almost three-and-a-half seasons now. Much can happen in that time, supporters find new hobbies, but last night was a reminder of what following a local football club can mean. The 28,229 who gave Mowbray – one of their own – and his players full backing will have reminded themselves as much as anyone as to how it feels.
There was too much quality for Dave Jones’ side, too much spirit. In Josh McCeachran they had the game’s outstanding player. The 19-year-old, on loan from Chelsea, has subtlety and deftness in his left foot. The home side took the lead when Emmanuel Ledesma fed Justin Hoyte on the right, and with one swing of his right foot, he arrowed the ball from 20 yards beyond the Wednesday goalkeeper.
The visitors equalised four minutes into the second-half. Gary Madine appeared off-side to everyone bar the man that mattered, the referee’s assistant, and at that point Jones and his men had a lifeline.
It had gone by the hour, when Scott McDonald prodded his shot goal wards and near the goal-line, and again seemingly in an off-side position Ishmael Miller put his side back in front. They needed a third, and it came with 14 minutes remaining, substitute Lukas Jutkiewicz heading home.
Middlesbrough: Steele; Hoyte, Woodgate (Hines 46), Bikey, Friend; Leadbitter, McCeachran; Ledesma, Emnes (Haroun 74), McDonald; Miller (Jutkiewicz 74)
Sheffield Wednesday Kirkland; Buxton, Llera, Gardner, Jones; Semedo, Corry (O’Grady 83); Bothroyd (Johnson 73), Barkley (McCeachran 83), Antonio; Madine
Referee: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments