One Middlesbrough regret as they're forced to settle for a point away at Burnley

The verdict after Middlesbrough drew 1-1 at Burnley

Middlesbrough had to settle for a point away at Burnley, as they failed to take advantage of a dominant first half, and a vulnerable home side.

Aidan Morris’ first goal for Boro gave them a 23rd minute lead at Turf Moor. But Boro will regret not making their first half dominance count for more - with more than enough chances to extend their lead.

Then came a 15-minute second-half onslaught from the much-improved home side, with Ugo Raghouber capitalising on poor defending from Boro to score what, in the end, earned Burnley just their second point of the season.

Kim Hellberg made three changes from the side that beat West Brom, all of which were enforced. Jeremy Sarmiento and Myles Peart-Harris missed out with knocks, while Morgan Whittaker dropped out as he completes a move to Colorado Rapids. It was Alfie Jones, Sebastian Berhalter and Kyle Joseph into the Boro team.

With the Boro boss seeking more control than his side have so far been able to muster in games this season, the lineup saw Adilson Malanda put into a three-man midfield.

It had the desired effect, with Boro’s first-half performance their most complete of the season so far. They were worth more than their one-goal lead at the interval.

That goal came through Morris in the 23rd minute. Will Lankshear slipped as the ball came through to him in the box, but Boro kept it alive and Berhalter eventually teed his best friend up to score his first goal for Boro in style. A viscous left-footed strike from 20 yards out, curling away into the far corner.

Boro’s only complaints would have not been more than 1-0 up at half-time. After not getting their press right in the first half against West Brom, it was perfect at Turf Moor, forcing the home side into errors, and keeping Boro on the front foot.

Lankshear was so close to opening the scoring in just the third minute. Radek Vitek’s long ball over the top went straight through for the Boro striker, but bounced awkwardly up, forcing him to knee it beyond Max Weiss, but wide of the target.

After Boro’s goal, they continue to craft good chances and nearly moments. Morris clearly brought his shooting boots. Presented with a second chance to shoot later in the half, he hit a peach again, and was only denied from five yards further out than his goal by the post.

Boro were so close to a second with their last attack of the first half too. An example of the liquid football they played, Joseph flicked in behind for Lankshear and Riley McGree ran onto his drilled ball across goal. It just had a bit too much on, with McGree diving in but only able to touch it wide of the far post.

It was little surprise then that Burnley were booed off at the interval by home fans. At the other end, Vitek made one routine save and, crucially, stayed alert for the one time Hjalmar Ekdal ran off the shoulder of Jones. Vitek was out of his box quickly and sweeping well.

Making two changes at the interval, there was far more purpose to the hosts, with Boro needing to try and ride the early storm.

They didn’t manage to though. Burnley were level eight minutes after the restart. And from a Boro perspective it was far too easy.

Raghouber given the freedom of Burnley to drive at the Boro box, with Jones following the runner left, leaving a huge gap for the Burnley man to pick his spot. He curled beyond Vitek, in off the post.

Boro were suddenly looking vulnerable. The pace introduced was causing problems and Burnley were slicing straight through the middle of Boro with ease.

Vitek was required to make a big save just moments after the equaliser, with Dastan Satpaev running in behind off the shoulder of Jones with ease.

Boro did well in the end to come through the storm having only conceded an equaliser. With Tommy Conway and Leo Castledine introduced, they slowly regained a grip on Burnley and settled into the half.

Boro were slowly starting to build their way back into it as an attacking force, with Conway causing problems with his direct driving.

At the other end though, Burnley still had that pace for the counter, and it almost told with ten minutes remaining. Former Boro loan man Aaron Ramsey was off the bench and bending one just wide of the post.

In the end, neither side could find a third goal in the game. As much as Boro did well to come through the uncomfortable 15 minutes or so at the start of the second half, they never really threatened a goal in the second half.

And so, an away point tinged with a hint of frustration for Boro. Their first half deserved more than the one goal lead it gained them.

Their start to the second half miles off, as their early struggles to find a complete performance continue. Burnley felt vulnerable coming in and for 45 minutes. Boro not ruthless enough to take full advantage.

Boro team: Vitek, Brittain, Jones (Phillips 73’), Ayling, Borges, Malanda, Morris, Berhalter, Joseph (Conway 61’), McGree (Castledine 61’), Lankshear (Strelec 87').

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