Mowbray bemoans absence of finishing quality as Boro fall

Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray believes his side were the architects of their own downfall in a damaging defeat at home to Watford.

Boro dominated the first half but spurned some good chances then gifted Watford an opener seconds before the break as captain Rhys Williams chested down a cross in the area for Matej Vydra to pounce and stab home.

In the second half, as Boro chased the game, the lively Czech striker scored another on the break before Scott McDonald clawed back a stoppage-time consolation.

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“We beat ourselves really, ” said Mowbray. “We were well on top in the first half and our game plan was working just as we planned but we just couldn’t score the goal we needed and then found ourselves behind.

“We dominated the first 45 minutes in terms of possession and maybe 90 per cent of the game was played in their half – and we had some really good chances but didn’t make them count.

“But then they scored and that changed the game completely. We had to throw caution to the wind and commit men forward and empty the midfield and against Watford that is always a risk.

“They are the best team in this division in that situation and as we pushed forward they punished us. We learned a lesson today.”

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Watford chief Gianfranco Zola admitted the opening goal had come against the run of play but praised his side’s second-half display. “The first goal was a present from them,” he confessed. “We probably didn’t deserve to be leading at that point.

“They were the better side in the first half. They had a lot of chances but didn’t take them. But in the second half we were excellent, as a team and as individuals. ”

Middlesbrough: Steele, Friend, Bailey, Hines, Rhys Williams, Haroun, Leadbitter, McEachran (Reach 57), Ledesma (Zemmama 71), McDonald, Jutkiewicz (Miller 69). Unused substitutes: Leutwiler, Thomson, Parnaby, Smallwood.

Watford: Almunia, Doyley, Ekstrand, Nosworthy, Cassetti, Abdi, Battocchio, Chalobah (Eustace 84), Pudil, Deeney, Vydra (Yeates 89). Unused substitutes: Bond, Forsyth, Anya, Geijo, Forestieri.

Referee: M Brown (East Yorkshire).

Man of the match: Matej Vydra.