Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray defends Everton loanee Jarrad Branthwaite after tackle on Middlesbrough's Dael Fry

Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray was quick to defend teenager Jarrad Branthwaite after the centre-back’s challenge on Dael Fry led to a touchline clash at the Riverside.

Rovers beat Middlesbrough 1-0 after Joe Rothwell’s low finish in the second half, yet the main talking point was the injury to Fry.

The Boro defender was caught in the face by Everton loanee Branthwaite, 18, which left a nasty cut just below Fry’s eye and forced him to leave the field.

Home manager Neil Warnock was left furious by the incident and made his feelings known to referee Dean Whitestone after the match.

The Boro boss could also be heard telling Branthwaite: "You should be ashamed."

Yet Mowbray didn’t believe the challenge was intentional and played it down during his post-match press conference.

"I didn’t see it but football is an emotional game and nobody is more emotional than me,” said Mowbray.

“You try to keep your emotions in. Neil’s an extraordinarily emotional manager. I have managed a lot of times against Neil and he’s a wonderful guy away from the pitch and the emotion and passion of football. An amazing human being who has done amazing things in football.

"I am not sure he should be facing an 18-year-old boy up who is just starting his career. I know the boy after working with him for 10 days.

"He’s just a shy boy on a journey who probably can’t believe he’s left Carlisle to go to Everton. He’s played four times in the Premier League and now he’s at Blackburn trying to learn his trade. He’s got no edges to him. He’s not angry.

"Neil will be really hurting I am pretty sure and that’s reflecting in his emotion and passion for his football club. That’s how I see it."

When asked if the first-half incident overshadowed the game, Mowbray replied: “Did it overshadow the game? I don’t think so, it was still blood and thunder for the rest of the game, every challenge and header was contested.

"I’m proud that our young team stood up to it and saw the game out.”

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