What Jonathan Woodgate said about Middlesbrough's two red cards after Swansea defeat

Boro lost 3-1 at the Liberty Stadium but had recovered from a goal down after Marcus Tavernier cancelled out Andre Ayew’s first-half penalty.

The key moment came at 1-1 when substitute Browne, who had only been on the pitch for 12 minutes, was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Mike van der Hoorn.

Second-half goals from Ayew and Sam Surridge then sealed Boro’s fate before Paddy McNair was also sent off for appearaing to elbow Matt Grimes.

After the game Woodgate said: “When we get to 1-1 there's only one team that's going to win the game in my view.

“I think the referee gave a penalty in the first half which I didn't think was a penalty, Dael Fry gets the ball through the legs of Ayew, you can see it clearly. He makes a bad decision.

“I said at half-time if we get the next goal there's only one team that's going to win the game. We get that situation, we're looking good, the place is quiet, we're thinking, 'We've got this'.

On Browne’s red card, he added: “Then the decision from Marcus Browne to make an horrific, an horrific tackle on the Swansea player, I can't condone that, it's a terrible tackle that deserves a straight red.

“I don't condone those types of tackles and he's let his team down. I've watched it back it's a straight red all day long.

“But the ill-discipline from Marcus Browne really cost us that game. He'll definitely get fined.

Browne and McNair are now set to serve three-game suspensions which would rule the pair out of crucial home games against Stoke City and Huddersfield, as well as a trip to West Brom.

McNair, who has arguably been Boro’s best performer this season, will certainly be a big loss, yet Woodgate says the club will appeal the midfielder’s red card.

“Paddy's is not a red in my view,” added Woodgate. “We'll definitely be appealing Paddy's, but not Marcus Browne's, not a chance. Paddy McNair's is a yellow card in my view.”