Middlesbrough turned over Accrington Stanley in a workmanlike performance on Saturday, winning their FA Cup fourth-round tie by a score of 1-0. Ultimately, the gap between the Premier League and League Two sides showed, with the style and class of Stewart Downing's goal making the difference on the day.
Positives
Boro continued the attractive playmaking style that they persisted with in the 3-1 defeat against West Ham last time out. The team held their own despite a number of changes in the lineup and were not particularly troubled by a nervous Stanley side.
Negatives
Boro had defensive worries going into the game, such as the month-long sidelining of Calum Chambers and the suspension of Daniel Ayala. Their fears increased after left-back George Friend came off on just 10 minutes and then centre-back Ben Gibson appeared to be struggling with a tight hamstring towards the end of the game.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- Aitor Karanka controlled the outcome of the match with some canny substitutions. Realising that a new creative outlet was required midway through the second half, he introduced Adama Traore and used the game to give runouts to some of the club's second-string players. He switched from his usual formation to try a more positive 4-4-2 setup too.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, 7 -- A welcome return for Boro's former No. 1 in order to give Victor Valdes a rest. Controlled his area with his usual presence and was barely troubled by the League Two side's attackers.
DF George Friend, 5 -- Started brightly, but had to leave the field after just 10 minutes with what appeared to be a muscle injury.
DF Ben Gibson, 6 -- Did well, especially given his unexpected shift over to left-back after just 10 minutes to replace the injured Friend.
DF Bernardo Espinosa, 6 -- Continued his decent run of form and kept Stanley's pair of strikers very quiet, dealing with long balls forward with relative ease.
DF Fabio, 6 -- Controlled the right wing with power and style. Boro are becoming increasingly reliant on his pace.
MF Viktor Fischer, 6 -- Took his chance to impress Karanka with a rare place in the starting lineup. Worked hard and linked well with the two front men. Also came close on goal on a couple of occasions.
MF Adam Clayton, 6 -- Was as solid as ever and instrumental in pulling Boro through what was a laboured last third of the match.
MF Grant Leadbitter, 6 -- Was tenacious to the last, helping Boro to keep up the pace and pressure as they turned up the dial on a battling Stanley.
MF Stewart Downing, 7 -- The Teessiders' prodigal son made a welcome return to the side and contributed a peach of a goal from the edge of the box on 69 minutes.
FW Patrick Bamford, 7 -- Worked hard in his first Boro start of this season and used his turn of pace to good effect, but a lack of match fitness made him the obvious candidate for substitution on the hour mark.
FW Rudy Gestede, 6 -- Got a good 90 minutes under his belt that will leave him in good stead, as Karanka is likely to call on him regularly for the rest of the Premier League campaign. Used his strength to good effect, but was less than clinical on the end of attacking movements.
Substitutes
DF Dael Fry, 6 -- Was a safe option from the bench for Karanka's injury-ravaged backline after making some key contributions to Boro's promotion season last year. Remains an exciting prospect for the future.
MF Adama Traore, 6 -- Is the natural choice for an injection of pace, which is what Boro were looking for with the game at a stalemate after an hour. His introduction spurred his side on and helped to get them over the line.
FW Cristhian Stuani, N/R -- Brought fresh legs to a tiring Boro side, especially in the dying minutes of the fixture.