The Birmingham City change which highlighted Middlesbrough strength as Neil Warnock call pays off

When Birmingham defender Maxime Colin struck the ball into the top corner of Marcus Bettinelli’s net, it looked set to be a frustrating afternoon for Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough side.

It’s not often that Boro come from behind to win, while Teessiders will have known just how difficult Aitor Karanka’s sides can be to break down.

Karanka took charge of Birmingham back in the summer and, despite some early struggles, he’s managed to tighten things up at the back.

That was until Boro visited St Andrew’s and put four past a sorry Blues side. It’s the first time Boro have scored four times in a league game away from home since a 5-1 win at Millwall in December 2014. Karanka was in charge that day.

Even an away win will have seemed unlikely when Colin’s effort in the 15th minute opened the scoring in this Championship fixture. Boro started slowly and looked vulnerable on the right flank, where Birmingham winger Jeremie Bela was causing problems in the early exchanges.

Yet after two goals in a five-minute spell from Britt Assombalonga and George Saville put Boro 2-1 up before half-time, a Lewis Wing corner was turned into his own net by Birmingham keeper Neil Etheridge after the break.

Warnock's Boro have been praised for their defensive solidity during their impressive start to the campaign, yet this was also evidence of what they are capable of at the other end of the pitch.

A swift counter attack led to the visitors’ fourth goal ten minutes from time, as Marcus Tavernier laid the ball back to Wing who completed the scoring with a low effort from the edge of the area.

Team selection justified

Wing was one of two changes from the Boro side which beat Luton 1-0 on Wednesday, as Assombalonga was also recalled to the starting XI.

Chuba Akpom and Duncan Watmore had scored three goals in Boro’s last two games between them, yet both dropped to the bench at St Andrew’s.

“I just thought Chuba and Duncan looked a bit tired in training and when they came off,” explained Warnock after the game.

During a run of nine games in 29 days, rotation was inevitable given how thin Boro’s thin squad has become.

But with limited options in other areas of the pitch, Warnock appeared to get his team selection just right.

Assombalonga, Boro’s captain, had endured a difficult start to the campaign after scoring just three goals in 17 league appearances.

The fact the striker’s contract will expire at the end of the season cast more doubt over the player’s future, yet this was a reminder of what he can offer.

Assomblaonga had the beating of Birmingham's defence in what was his best performance of the season so far.

The striker showed his strength and goalscoring prowess to spin away from Jon Toral and score Boro’s equaliser in the 27th minute. He was a handful throughout.

It was also a big afternoon for Wing, who had made just one league start before the trip to St Andrew’s.

The midfielder’s best performances in a Boro shirt have come when he’s operated in the No 10 position, posing a goal threat from the edge of the area and supporting attacks.

After Warnock gathered his players on the pitch at full-time, Wing was given a round of applause by his team-mates.

The Boro boss’ man-management skills have been clear to see.

Midfield duo crucial

While Warnock made changes in some areas, one player who was always likely to start was Boro midfielder Saville.

This time last year, the Northern Ireland international was still struggling to establish himself as a first-team regular at the Riverside, following a big-money move from Millwall.

Yet the 27-year-old is one of the players who has improved significantly under Warnock and is now one of the first names on the team sheet.

As well as his goal, which was converted first time after a low Marvin Johnson cross, Saville helped Boro stay on the front foot as he challenged for headers and snapped into challenges in a box-to-box midfield role.

“I thought Saville was outstanding,” said Warnock after the game.

Savilles’s energy and drive was complemented by the attributes of midfield partner Sam Morsy, who was allowed to play after his red card against Luton was overturned on Friday.

Morsy’s ability to sit in front of Boro’s back four and position himself to sweep up loose passes was key, allowing Saville to break further forward and score his third goal of the season.

It also spoke volumes that Birmingham’s midfield duo, former Boro man Adam Clayton and Mikel San Jose, were both substituted at half-time.

Despite a slow start, where Marcus Bettinelli made a sharp save to prevent Scott Hogan making it 2-0, Boro soon took control of proceedings, particularly in the middle of the park.

Time to recharge the batteries

Boro now have a full week to recover before their next game – perhaps even longer due to the situation at their scheduled Boxing Day opponents Rotherham.

The Millers’ game against Derby was postponed just 90 minutes before kick-off after a Covid-19 outbreak in the Rotherham squad.

Players and first-team staff have been required to self-isolate, yet no announcement was made about next week’s match.

It means Boro may not play again until a trip to Sheffield Wednesday on December 29.

Whatever happens, the freedom of not having a mid-week game will provide a welcome break for Warnock’s thin squad.

The Boro boss had expressed concerns about defenders Dael Fry and Paddy McNair, who have played repeatedly this season, while admitting Jonny Howson’s hamstring injury was caused by fatigue.

Warnock will hope to bolster his squad by bringing in two or three more players in January.

Yet, after this performance, Warnock smiled while saying: “they’ll struggle to get in the team.”

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