Middlesbrough 3 Leeds United 0: Calamitous defending costs Rosler’s men

After dominating much of the second half, another appalling pass of defensive play sealed the deal for Boro with Whites captain Sol Bamba slipping in the box, with substitute Diego Fabbrini keeping his composure to round Silvestri and fire home from a narrow angle.

Cristhian Stuani wriggled free inside the area and centred for David Nugent who, after taking one touch to control, slotted home his third of the season from close range.

Leeds came out determined to hit back after the break and Mowatt saw a well struck 25-yard free-kick tipped over.

Leeds still looked threatening, though, and almost found a way through when Konstantopoulos saved smartly from Antenucci’s header.

On 32 minutes Boro doubled their lead, albeit in fortuitous fashion.

It was a ferocious opening beneath the unseasonal September sunshine and temperatures threatened to boil over when Boro skipper Grant Leadbitter thundered through a challenge with Leeds midfielder Alex Mowatt.

Leeds’ defensive deficiencies flared up again when Silvestri was forced to tip away a Bamba header and prevent a second own goal.

“But I think Sam needs peace and talking to, giving reassurance, but also Sam has to compete like everybody else in our team”, the Leeds boss added.

Referee Neil Swarbrick was persuaded to have a word with his assistant and the decision was changed although replays showed the Leeds player had never been in an offside position.

Middlesbrough’s players surrounded the linesman after Antenucci’s goal was initially given – something Rosler’s charges did not do.

With nine minutes to go, a gift from Bamba then enabled Fabbrini to seal the victory.

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Konstantopoulos: Kalas, Ayala, Amorebieta, Friend; Clayton, Leadbitter (Forshaw 87); Stuani (Fabbrini 57), Downing, Adomah (Nsue 77); Nugent.