Middlesbrough verdict: Why Neil Warnock was frustrated at the officials against Brentford as Thomas Frank's overcome tactical test

After taking an early lead in the third minute, Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough side appeared well organised, hard to break down and posed a threat on the counter attack during an evenly-contested meeting at the Riverside.

In the end, the 4-1 scoreline felt slightly harsh on the Teessiders as the Bees’ potent forward line clicked into gear. Boro had their chances, yet a lack of cutting edge proved costly.

Here are the main talking points:

Summary

After taking the lead through an own goal from Brentford goalkeeper David Raya in the third minute, Boro looked like a well-drilled unit.

Yes, the visitors were dominating possession but Boro keeper Marcus Bettinelli wasn’t called into action as Warnock’s side kept Brentford at arm’s length.

Ivan Toney’s equaliser in the 38th minute was a massive blow, yet Boro still had chances before half-time and at the start of the second half.

When Vitaly Janelt volleyed the visitors ahead in the 58th minute, it always looked like an uphill task for Warnock’s men.

Goals from Mathias Jensen and another from Toney put more gloss on the scoreline to make it 20 league games unbeaten for Thomas Frank’s team.

Key moments

Middlesbrough 1 (Raya, OG) Brentford 0 – Boro took the lead in unlikely circumstances after a mix-up at the back for the visitors.

Boro debutant Neeskens Kebano exchanged passes with Marc Bola from a corner and delivered an in-swinging cross.

Britt Assombalonga and George Saville went up for a header with Brentford goalkeeper David Raya and defender Ethan Pinnock.

The ball hit Pinnock then Raya before bouncing into the net. Brentford players were appealing for a foul but nothing was given. No-one in a black shirt really took charge of the situation and they paid the price.

Middlesbrough 1 Brentford 1 (Toney) – Warnock was shouting at the linesman after Brentford equalised for not flagging for a foul against Britt Assombalonga in the Bees half.

The Boro striker was brought down after getting sandwiched between two Brentford players, before the visitors quickly switched the play and broke forward.

A forward pass towards Tarique Fosu dragged both Boro centre-backs Anfernee Dijksteel and Paddy McNair to the ball before the Brentford forward cut the ball back for Toney for a tap in.

Warnock was still angry at the officials before half-time, claiming they hadn’t awarded anything in Assombalonga’s favour.

The Boro boss’ frustrations started when George Saville was penalised for making minimal contact with a Brentford player.

Middlesbrough 1 Brentford 2 (Janelt) – The visitors’ second was a swift attacking move after Boro had made a bright start to the second half.

Defender Mads Sorensen was allowed time on the ball to step out from the back and cross for Toney who headed the ball into the path of Janelt who was free on the edge of the area and volleyed home.

Middlesbrough 1 Brentford 3 (Jensen) – A rare mistake from Paddy McNair after the Boro defender slipped on the ball in his own half, allowing Jensen to run through on goal.

The Brentford midfielder then took the ball around Bettinelli before making it 3-1.

Middlesbrough 1 Brentford 4 (Toney) – Bettinelli did well to tip Henry’s effort onto the bar after the Bees defender spun away from substitute Djed Spence.

Toney reacted quickest to the rebound and headed home from close range to make it four.

Star man

After a shaky start, Brentford keeper Raya played a key part in the victory.

The Spanish stopper made a crucial save to tip Assombalonga’s effort onto the post before half-time when the score was 1-1, and denied the forward again from close range after the interval.

George Saville was then denied by Raya at 3-1 as Boro paid the price for missing their chances.

As for Boro, Warnock will be pleased with the effort and work rate his side showed.

Jonny Howson was quick to latch onto loose balls in the middle of the park and helped keep the visitors at bay when Boro were still in the contest.

Yannick Bolasie also showed flashes of his ability in the first half after starting on the left and helped Boro relieve some pressure.

The tactics

Warnock stuck with his tried and trusted 4-3-3 system, like the one he deployed at Norwich last week, yet Boro’s forward line posed more of an attacking threat.

New signing Kebano was handed his debut on the right while Yannick Bolasie moved to the left and Britt Assombalonga returned up front.

Brentford still saw most of the ball, though, and had recorded a sizable 71 per cent possession by half-time.

The hosts looked typically solid and hard to break down, though, after adopting a man-to-man marking approach with full-backs Marc Bola and Darnell Fisher sticking tight to Brentford wide men Sergi Canos and Fosu.

Boro started brightly after half-time and saw more of the ball but failed to take their chances. In the end, both sides registered six shots on target.

Warnock’s decision to bring on Djed Spence for Kebano on 69 minutes was slightly surprising when Boro were trying to get back in the game at 3-1.

As the hosts pushed forward, space opened up at the back and Brentford’s potent forward line made them pay.

What’s next?

Boro stayed seventh after this result but have now drifted five points away from a play-off place.

The Teessiders have at least navigated two tough fixtures against the top two sides in the Championship in the shape of Norwich and Brentford.

Warnock’s side will now travel to Derby next week before hosting Huddersfield at the Riverside

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