Middlesbrough 1 Sheffield United 0: Defeat on Speed's managerial debut

Chris Morgan will not be shown the door by Sheffield United for his unfortunate slip at the Riverside Stadium yesterday afternoon but it did cost new manager Gary Speed a point in his first game in charge.

Captain Morgan allowed a ball coming out of the air to squeeze under his foot and the mistake was punished by Middlesbrough striker Kris Boyd.

The Scottish international striker, snapped up by Boro as a free agent from Rangers this summer, took full advantage of the blunder to score his first goal in English football and secure his side's first victory of the season.

Defeat left the Blades bottom of the Championship table with only one point from three games but it is, of course, early days.

Former Leeds United midfielder Speed, 40, had been working as coach under Blackwell for two and a half years prior to last week's shock events.

No one could have guessed that Blackwell would be the first managerial sacrifice of the new season, especially after his side finished in the top eight last season despite injuries hitting hard on a regular basis.

But when Queens Park Rangers scored three goals in less than 23 minutes at Bramall Lane nine days ago, it sent chairman Kevin McCabe reaching for the panic button.

With only five days to prepare for his first game in charge, it would have been unfair to expect a great deal of difference from the Blades yesterday under Speed. It will take time for this rookie to put his fingerprints on the Blades and defeat yesterday was all about bad luck not bad management.

Speed introduced subtle changes to the pre-game routine with players 'foam rolling' during the warm-up and then forming a huddle to show team spirit.

His selection options were strengthened by the return to fitness of full-back Nyron Nosworthy who had missed the first three games of the season under Blackwell due to a knee problem.

With Nosworthy at right-back, Speed pushed Johannes Ertl into the centre of the park alongside Nick Montgomery and the pair attempted to form a protective barrier in front of defence.

Winger Stephen Quinn dropped to the bench as the Blades adapted a new 4-2-3-1 system. Former Blades defender Matthew Kilgallon made his debut for Boro at left-back following Friday's loan switch from Sunderland and replaced Justin Hoyte, who was a substitute.

The game started at a slow tempo and there had been little goalmouth action until the 17th minute when Boro's Nicky Bailey got caught in possession which allowed Ched Evans a shot which goalkeeper Jason Steele blocked with his legs.

Both sides were chasing a first league victory and under pressure to climb the table after inauspicious starts.

Boro manager Gordon Strachan has pinned his faith in a mainly Scottish set of players who have cost substantially more to assemble than the current Blades side.

But it was the visitors who played the better football in the first half and Boro – who will improve when midfielders Willo Flood, Gary O'Neil and Kevin Thomson are available – struggled to even get out of first gear. Large numbers of supporters from both camps stayed at home to watch the game on TV and, by half-time, it was looking a sensible option.

The attendance of just 14,633 was over 7,000 down on that which watched Boro's opening-day defeat to Ipswich Town.

At times, the first half resembled a pre-season fixture with little in the way of either passion or aggression.

Speed cut a relaxed figure in his shorts and training top, occasionally strolling to the technical area to get messages across to his players.

Estonian international Tarmo Kink's long-range drive fizzed narrowly over the bar after 33 minutes and injected a rare moment of excitement into a dull contest.

Speed would have been far more content than Strachan at the interval, knowing his side had quietened the home crowd, and were looking good for a point away from home. But Morgan's slip, soon after the re-start, gave Boro the winner.

The Blades captain misjudged a flick-on from Steele's kick and allowed the ball to slip under his foot 30 yards out. That allowed Boyd to pull clear and neatly tuck a shot past Steve Simonsen.

Morgan, who will be 33 in three months, was handed a new three -year deal by Blackwell this summer. His head-in-hands reaction to the goal highlighted his sense of disappointment and his new manager will be hoping that the mistake is a one-off.

Boro grew in stature as a result of the goal and gave the ball away less cheaply.

The Blades had to wait until five minutes before time for an opportunity to equalise and substitute Daniel Bogdanovic should have done better.

Jamie Ward's deflected cross evaded a Boro defender yet Bogdanovic failed to react at the far post and the ball bounced into touch.

Bogdanovic skied the Blades' only other chance deep in stoppage time after substitute Leroy Lita put Boro under pressure with a needless foul.

Full-back Jean Calves, still in talks with Blades over a proposed free transfer from Nancy, watched the game from the stands.

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Kris Boyd

Summer signing Kris Boyd opened his account for Middlesbrough with the only goal of the game, a neat piece of finishing after a defensive slip.

Villain: Chris Morgan

The Blades' captain allowed the ball to squeeze under his foot which presented Kris Boyd with the space to score.

Key moment

53rd minute: Kris Boyd scores after Scott McDonald flicks on a long clearance from goalkeeper Jason Steele and the ball eludes Chris Morgan.

Ref watch

Dean Whitestone: Solid display by the official from Northamptonshire but a relatively easy game to handle.

Verdict

The outcome was tough on the Blades who had looked the better side prior to gifting Boro the only goal of the game. Both sides were edgy and will need to improve on early performances.

Quote of the day

The secret is getting good players under you, then you become a good manager.

– Gordon Strachan offers a word of advice to Gary Speed.

Next game

Boro v Barnsley, away; Blades v Preston, home – both Saturday August 28; Championship.