Middlesbrough 3 Barnsley 1: How the players rated...

Liam Lindsay showes his frutration as Patrick Bamford scores the third goal.

BORO

Darren Randolph: Maybe could have done better for Barnsley’s goal, parrying the shot straight into path of goalscorer Moore 6

George Friend: Solid afternoon for the full-back, who got forward as often as possible 6

Daniel Ayala: Well-taken goal for the opener and his usual organised self at the heart of defence 7

Ben Gibson: Home skipper marshalled the potentially awkward Moore well all game. 6

Ryan Shotton: His long throws worked a treat, especially in the first minute when it contributed to Ayala’s opener. 7

Adam Clayton: Usual self as he kept possession and put in a firm tackle when required to do so. 7

Mo Besic: Was tough-tackling when he needed to be and kept things ticking over nicely. 6

Jonny Howson: Got forward plenty, and did a shift in terms of his defensive duties. 6

Stewart Downing: Solid and dependable again from the winger. 7

Adama Traore: Scored a well-taken goal and was head and shoulders above every other player. Glimpses of what he is capable of. 8

Patrick Bamford: Another game, another goal for the striker. Won’t get too many easier than this, either. 7

Subs:

Lewis Baker (66 for Besic): Slowly being reintegrated into the squad and showed some tidy touches after his introduction. 6

Martin Crainie (83 for Downing): Brought on too late to make any real impact against one of his former clubs 5

Britt Assombalonga (90 for Bamford): N/A

Subs not used: Dimi, Fry, Johnson, Harrison.

BARNSLEY

Nick Townsend: Had a day to forget especially with the calamitous third goal. Redeemed himself slightly with a good stop to keep out Adama late on. 5

Daniel Pinillos: Couldn’t cope with Adama’s sheer pace. 4

Liam Lindsay: Will be disappointed with some of the goals when he sees them back. 5

Adam Jackson: Shackled Bamford relatively well but again will have concerns over the defending of his side. 5

Dimitri Cavare: Showed some guile but looked out of place at times. 4

Gary Gardner: Got overran in midfield. Not his best day in a Barnsley shirt. 4

Christophe Knasmullner: Found it hard up against the hosts’ razor-sharp and combative midfield trio 5

Ryan Hedges: Offered little going forward and was hooked at the break. 4

Joe Williams: Tried on plenty of occasions to get his side forward, but more often than not they weren’t on his wave-length. Positive performance before being subbed. 6

Kieffer Moore: Cut a frustrated figure first half but was different beast in the second. Took his goal well and hit post afterwards. 6

Oliver McBurnie: Did his best to be a menace but was largely shackled by Boro’s defence. 5

Subs:

Mamadou Thiam (46 for Hedges): Made a big difference after being introduced at the break. 6

Lloyd Isgrove (61 for Knasmullner): Pint-sized winger showed tenacity and whipped a couple of decent crosses in. 5

Stephen Mallan (76 for Williams): Made no real impression on the match, which had pretty much been sealed by time of his introduction. 4

Subs not used: Davies, Moncur, Yiadom, Pearson.