REPORT: BURNLEY 3 - 1 MIDDLESBROUGH

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Comeback victory sees Clarets top the table for Christmas

2022-12-17T18:15:24.960Z

REPORT: BURNLEY 3 - 1 MIDDLESBROUGH

Comeback victory sees Clarets top the table for Christmas

2022-12-17T18:15:24.960Z

An in-depth look back at a previous encounter between the Clarets & Boro

Manuel Benson was the star of the show on Saturday, as the Clarets continued their fine form in the Sky Bet Championship, coming from behind to win 3-1 against Middlesbrough at Turf Moor.

The Belgian winger played an unfortunate part in Boro’s opener, before grabbing a brace in seven minutes in the second half, captain Jonny Howson then added salt to the wounds for the away side, glancing home an own goal late on.

Manager Vincent Kompany made two changes from the side that beat QPR last weekend, as Nathan Tella and Vitinho missed out, with Manuel Benson and Connor Roberts coming into the XI.

First Half

It was a quiet opening 20 minutes on a wintery afternoon in East Lancashire, with neither side able to carve open any opportunities on goal, with the Clarets enjoying plenty of the ball.

CLARETS CALENDAR: YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEK AHEAD - Image 4

Kompany’s men had plenty of possession throughout the first 45 and constantly looked to unlock the stubborn Boro defence, as Ian Maatsen picked up the ball and drove towards the box, picking out Benson, who could only fire well over the bar from outside the area.

Just before the break, Carrick’s side broke on the counter attack three-on-two, with Isaiah Jones racing down the right with Chuba Akpom and Riley McGree to his left, but the full-back saw his attempted low cross blocked by Taylor Harwood-Bellis and away for a corner.

But there was a chance for the Clarets just before the break, as the ball fell to Josh Brownhill inside the box from a clearance, but the midfielder’s effort sailed off target.

Second Half

It only took the visitors four minutes into the second half to take the lead, as Benson’s attempt at keeping the ball in play was latched onto by Watmore, who made no mistake of slotting home past Muric.

REPORT: BURNLEY 3 - 1 MIDDLESBROUGH - Image 2

But on the hour mark, the Clarets had their equaliser, as Jordan Beyer picked out Benson out wide with a wonderful pass, with the Belgian then cutting inside and finding the bottom corner to pull the scores level.

And just seven minutes later, Kompany’s men had their deserved second, Benson involved once again, as this time his looping cross found the far corner beating a stranded Zack Steffen.

Things then went from bad to worse for Boro, as skipper Howson headed home an own goal from a cross, as the Clarets doubled their advantage.

Middlesbrough were then awarded a penalty in stoppage time and defender Connor Roberts was sent off for an adjudged handball, but Akpom's spot-kick was denied by Muric.

REPORT: BURNLEY 3 - 1 MIDDLESBROUGH - Image 3

Burnley: Muric, Roberts, Harwood-Bellis, Beyer, Maatsen, Cork © (Bastien 88), Cullen, Brownhill, Gudmundsson (Churlinov 88), Benson (Barnes 77), Rodriguez (Twine 88)

Unused Subs: Peacock-Farrell, Taylor, Dervişoğlu

Middlesbrough: Steffen, McGree, Smith, Howson, Fry ©, Akpom, Lenihan, Giles, Hackney, Jones, Forss

Unused Subs: Roberts, Mowatt, Muniz, Dijksteel, McNair, Watmore, Willis

Goals: Watmore 49’, Benson 60, Benson 67’, Howson OG 72’