Middlesbrough verdict: The Neil Warnock tactics which helped Boro beat Huddersfield and harsh Paddy McNair decision

After Isaac Mbenza opened the scoring for the visitors, goals from Duncan Watmore and Ashley Fletcher turned the match around before half-time.

A late red card for Paddy McNair put Boro under pressure but Neil Warnock’s side held on.

We take a closer look at some of the main talking points.

Summary

Despite changing formation to play with a back three and wing-backs, Boro started slowly and looked low on confidence following a five-match winless run.

After a cheap foul from Marc Bola on Huddersfield full-back Pipa, Mbenza curled home the opener from the subsequent free-kick, yet Boro took charge after that.

The visitors struggled to break out of their own half as Warnock’s side grew in confidence and received more time on the ball.

Eventually, a piece of individual brilliance from Watmore drew Boro level on 31 minutes when the forward cut in from the left, beat two men, and steered his effort home.

The hosts scored again on the stroke of half-time when Darnell Fisher was fouled by Lewis O’Brien and Fletcher converted the penalty. Just.

In the second half it was Boro who retreated and there were some nervy moments as Huddersfield piled men forward.

McNair’s tackle nine minutes from time looked fair but resulted in a red card which infuriated Warnock.

That led to a nervy finale as Huddersfield substitute Kieran Phillips hit the post.

Boro hung on. Just.

Tactics

Warnock’s switch to a 3-5-2 system was praised by fans ahead of kick-off and gave the Teessiders solidity at the back, as well as creativity going forward.

After starting with a 4-3-3 formation, Huddersfield changed shape when Mbenza was forced off with an injury, introducing defensive midfielder Alex Vallejo, who dropped into the visitors’ backline.

The move was made so that Huddersfield could go man to man but only invited more pressure.

Boro wing-backs Bola and Darnell Fisher were able to take up advanced positions on the flanks and pinned the Terriers back.

The new system also appeared to bring the best out of Fulham loanee Kebano in the first half as the playmaker was given freedom to roam and create just behind Fletcher and Watmore.

In the second half, though, Boro’s attacking players faded as Huddersfield forced the hosts back.

After McNair was sent off Warnock’s side defended in 5-3-1 formation and managed to survive by the skin of their teeth

Star man

After falling behind, it looked like it could be another frustrating evening for Boro as Huddersfield sat back and made themselves difficult to break down.

For a spell, the hosts appeared short of ideas but made the breakthrough when Watmore took proceedings into his own hands.

The Boro forward was excellent in the first half, making probing runs off the ball and stretching Huddersfield’s defence.

At the other end, Grant Hall deserves praise after making his first start since September.

The centre-back was commanding in the air and positioned himself well to sweep up danger alongside McNair and Anfernee Dijksteel.

What next?

This result moves Boro to within three points of the play-off places, although sixth-place Bournemouth have a game in hand.

Warnock’s side will now travel to play-off rivals Reading who are eight points ahead of them.

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