Middlesbrough vs Luton Town FC (15th Feb 2020)

MIDDLESBROUGH 0-1 LUTON TOWN

Ryan Tunnicliffe strike secures the Hatters back-to-back victories.

The Hatters secured back-to-back victories and a first away win in 2020 as Ryan Tunnicliffe scored the only goal of the game at Middlesbrough this afternoon – moving Graeme Jones’ side within four points of safety.

Tunnicliffe grabbed his first goal in a Luton shirt as he curled in on the volley from Dan Potts’ left-wing cross, with the Town the better side for a majority of the 90 minutes.

Hatters boss Jones made four changes from Wednesday night’s victory over Sheffield Wednesday, with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Martin Cranie, Luke Berry and Kazenga LuaLua coming in for James Bree, Glen Rea, Izzy Brown and Harry Cornick.

With 17 minutes on the clock, Town took the lead as LuaLua made a dangerous run forward, before picking out Potts out on the left – he swung in a decent ball, it flew over Collins’ head, but Ryan Tunnicliffe was there to volley it into the bottom left corner sending the away end into pandemonium.

Seven minutes later and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu came close to doubling the lead as LuaLua whipped in an inviting ball, but goalkeeper Aynsley Pears got to it just before the midfielder.

Simon Sluga was forced into tipping the ball over his own crossbar when Paddy McNair’s corner drifted towards goal, with the Croatian international going onto keep his second consecutive clean sheet.

Mpanzu smashed an effort into Row Z from a LuaLua pass just after the restart, but that didn’t stop the former West Ham man having a dig from the same distance ten minutes into the second half, hammering it on the volley towards the top left corner – Djed Spence blocked the ball with his arm, but the referee waved away the appeals for a penalty.

Substitute Britt Assombalonga should have equalised for the hosts with Jonathan Woodgate’s team’s first real chance of the game after 73 minutes, as he got on the end of Hayden Coulson’s cross, but somehow nodded high and wide at the back-stick.

A head injury sustained by Potts meant the full-back had to be taken off after initially being able to carry on, leading to six minutes of added time. But the visitors saw the game out with an air of confidence, securing their first away win on the road since September, when Matty Pearson’s header earned a 2-1 victory at Blackburn Rovers.

Boro: Pears, Friend ©, Fletcher, Howson, McNair, Moukoudi, Nmecha, Saville (Assombalonga 59), Wing, Spence (Gestede 69), Coulson.

Subs not used: Meijas, Shotton, Tavernier, Morrison, Johnson.

Town: Sluga, Cranie (Rea 76), Potts (Bree 71), Tunnicliffe, Bradley ©, Pearson, Berry, Mpanzu, Carter-Vickers, Collins, LuaLua (Brown .

Subs not used: Shea, McManaman, Hylton, Shinnie.

Goal: Tunnicliffe

Yellows: Cranie, Berry, Mpanzu

Attendance: 19,734

Away: 800

Referee: Jarred Gillett

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRcBtOdBq_c – Graeme Jones interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVovSdgwjFM – match highlights

GRAEME JONES ON THE WIN OVER MIDDLESBROUGH

"We're right in the ball game," says Hatters boss of fight for survival

Graeme Jones believes his side’s ability to bring the 12-match winless away run to end was born from an improvement in performances in the two most recent defeats - and that the Hatters are "right in the ball game" for survival in the Sky Bet Championship.

The Hatters had been beaten in 11 successive league matches, plus the FA Cup third round tie at Bournemouth, but gave their survival hopes a massive shot in the arm this afternoon with Ryan Tunnicliffe’s solitary goal proving enough to secure a second 1-0 win in four days.

Speaking to the press, the former Boro youth coach said: “I feel like it’s been coming. I think I look an absolute idiot sometimes when I speak at Nottingham Forest after a 3-1 defeat and 2-0 at West Brom and say I’m pleased with the level of performance, pleased with the control off and on the ball. I think we saw a result of those performances today at Middlesbrough.”

Jones made four changes to his starting line-up, bringing back Cameron Carter-Vickers, Martin Cranie, Luke Berry and Kazenga LuaLua in place of James Bree, Glen Rea, Izzy Brown and the injured Harry Cornick.

“There is always a plan and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” said the manager. “I’ve got a group of players that I believe in. I’ve got a group of players that understand that in these three-game weeks, everyone wants to play but you need everybody.

“I don’t care about making decisions. That’s what I’m paid to do. I think I work hard enough to make a measured decision. If you’re guessing, then you won’t get football results. It’s the first time I’ve had everybody available, apart from losing Harry Cornick a little bit with his hamstring.

“So I’m really satisfied, but remember that the players have to come in and perform and you think about Cameron coming in. I know I got heavily criticised for leaving him out and we got a clean sheet on Wednesday night.

“Then you think about Matty Pearson playing right-back, think about Martin Cranie’s level – I’ve said for a long, long time, how much we miss Martin. Glen’s contribution over recent weeks has been magnificent.

“Then you think about Luke Berry, Kaz and that’s the definition of a team. That’s the definition of a squad. People are coming in, prepared to contribute. That’s all I spoke about at this football club at the beginning, and that’s where we are at the minute.”

Asked about the goalscorer’s improvement in the last two games, Jones said: “I believe in Ryan. You get to know people and he’s certainly got the talent. He’s certainly got the mentality. He’s got the experience for this level.

“For me, he’s been there from minute one. Not always great, not always bad, but he gives us a level. His performances have probably mirrored the team’s performance at times, in terms of getting to know the league, getting experience in the league, because you can’t do it on your own. But I believe in him and it was another really solid performance from him today.”

Ending the winless away run just before what would have been a club record-equalling 13th game in all competitions hadn’t entered Jones head.

“I don’t think like that,” he replied. “I just think, ‘Next game, let’s win it’. I don’t care where it is. I don’t believe in all those hoodoos.

“I think if we are measuring today, I tried to go a little bit more solid with Matty Pearson – a centre-half – at right-back. Matty’s somebody I know can play three games a week, like Pelly-Ruddock, like Ryan Tunnicliffe. Sonny played two, Cam played two. Dan Potts was a bit of a gamble at three. Couldn’t risk Glen, couldn’t risk Izzy, so it’s getting the balance of your squad right.

“But it’s about people contributing. James Collins is robust. The satisfaction with the level of performance, effort and the mentality, is really satisfying today.”

And finally, on the Town’s chances of staying up having moved to within four points of safety with 13 matches to go, Jones believes his side are “right in the ball game”.

He added: “Somebody came in and said ‘What did Wigan do? What did so-and-so do?’ I’m not interested. It’s about us winning football matches and it’s game on.

“It’s very different when the momentum is going that way (gesturing upwards) than when it’s coming that way (downwards). I said to you that when we had everybody fit, we’d be competitive, and that’s what’s happened.

“Brentford away has hurt us a lot. But we’ve kept level-headed as a club. We’ve recovered from it, and let’s see where it takes us.”

Tunnicliffe** scores as Hatters finally end away day misery with superb Boro win**

Championship: Middlesbrough 0 Luton Town 1

What a difference a week makes.

This time last Saturday, the Hatters were suffering, unluckily so it must be said, their 21st defeat out of 31 this season, beaten 1-0 at home by Cardiff, dropping 10 points from safety, with many predicting a swift return to League One.

Wednesday night saw sparks of a revival, Sheffield Wednesday defeated 1-0 at Kenilworth Road, as the victory saw Town move off the bottom.

The main question remained though – could Town do it away from home, as they headed to one of the toughest grounds in the division to do so, the Riverside, where hosts Middlesbrough, although not pulling up any trees this term, were unbeaten since October 19, only losing three all term.

Defeat would have made it a club record 13 straight losses in all competitions on the road, with Town losing every single match in league and cup since beating Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on September 28.

However, 90 minutes later, then those fears were no longer, as Hatters fans and players were toasting a second successive victory and clean sheet, as their survival hopes are now seriously alive and kicking, just four points from the dotted line.

It was also a turnaround for match-winner Ryan Tunnicliffe, who was substituted to cheers from the home fans last weekend, but responded with a fine display in midweek and then popped up with the only goal of the contest on 17 minutes.

Town didn't just hang on from there either, as although stats will show they had 42 per cent of possession, Boro never seriously tested keeper Simon Sluga, failing to register a shot on target as he followed up his first clean sheet on Wednesday with a maiden shut out on the road.

With it being Luton's third game in seven days, boss Graeme Jones rung the changes, dropping both Izzy Brown and Glen Rea to the bench, the pair still only just returning from lengthy spells out with injuries.

Joining the duo was right back James Bree, with Harry Cornick missing out completely, as Cameron Carter-Vickers, Luke Berry, Kazenga LuaLua and Martin Cranie came in.

The alterations saw Matty Pearson move out to right back, with Sonny Bradley and the returning Carter-Vickers in the middle, as it was Pearson who delivered an early cross for Berry to glance wide inside the opening five minutes.

Lewis Wing tried to replicate his strike on the opening night of the season back in August, firing well over, before Town had the lead on 17 minutes.

LuaLua found Dan Potts on the left, whose first time cross was met at the back post by Tunnicliffe with a fine angled left-footed volley back across Aynsley Pears for his maiden goal for the club and a first strike since April 6, 2019 when at Millwall.

The midfielder tried for ambitious second on the half hour, scuffing his first time 25-yarder from a corner wide, as Carter-Vickers couldn't quite connect with another Berry corner to make it 2-0.

Although Luton ended the first period under a slight modicum of pressure, they dealt with it expertly, Sluga showing good handling from one cross, while the back-line cleared their lines effectively when called upon.

After the break, Collins had a go from 20 yards after LuaLua pulled a free kick back to him, his effort charged down, but importantly, Town started on the front foot.

LuaLua then beat Hayden Coulson, putting the home full back on the deck and found the unmarked Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu loitering just outside the box, who skied his effort disappointingly over the top.

Mpanzu almost had far better luck with his next attempt, volleying goalwards from almost an identical position, the ball cannoning into Djed Spence's arm and away, referee Jarred Gillett not awarding the penalty.

Collins, who was proving a vital barrier inside his own area, followed up two blocks in the first half, by managing to deflect behind Wing's curling attempt that appeared destined for the top corner.

Town were dealt a blow with 20 to go, Potts forced off after an aerial collision, Bree on to cover at left back.

The hosts started to finally manage a continued spell in the ascendancy, bringing on the experienced front pair of Britt Assombalonga and Rudy Gestede to bolster their attacking power.

Boro should have levelled on 72 minutes, Coulson wriggling his way into the area and crossing, but Assombolanga got in front of his fellow sub to nod tamely over the bar from close range.

Jones beefed up Luton's midfield with both Rea and Brown on for the final 10 minutes and the pair helped Town assume a real air of authority during those closing stages, keeping the ball away from Sluga's goal for lengthy periods and pressing for a second themselves.

They might have made the advantage even great, Mpanzu firing well over from 25 yards after an excellent turn, but one was to prove enough on this occasion for Jones' side.

To make matters even better, results went for the visitors as well, Stoke City and next weeks' opponents Charlton both losing, while although Wigan and Huddersfield drew, it means Town are now just four points away and with momentum potentially shifting their way in the run-in.

Boro: Aynsley Pears, George Friend (C), Ashley Fletcher, Jonny Howson, Paddy McNair, Harold Moukoudi, Lukas Nmecha, George Saville (Britt Assombalonga 58), Lewis Wing, Djed Spence (Rudy Gestede 68), Hayden Coulson.

Subs not used: Tomas Mejias, Ryan Shotton, Marcus Tavernier, Ravel Morrison, Marvin Johnson.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Dan Potts (James Bree 71), Sonny Bradley (C), Matty Pearson, Martin Cranie (Glen Rea 76), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Luke Berry, Kazenga LuaLua (Izzy Brown 83), James Collins.

Subs not used: James Shea, Callum McManaman, Danny Hylton, Andrew Shinnie.

Booked: Cranie 38, Berry 42, Mpanzu 78.

Referee: Jarred Gillett.

Attendance: 19,734

Jones: It's game on in Town's battle to stay up

Town chief thrilled to see his side winners at Middlesbrough

Luton boss Graeme Jones insisted it’s ‘game on’ in the battle to stay in the Championship this season after the Hatters made it two wins in a row by winning 1-0 at Middlesbrough this afternoon.

Ryan Tunnicliffe’s 17th minute winner at the Riverside ensured Town ended a miserable run of 12 straight defeats on the road and are now just four points behind fourth bottom Stoke City with 13 games still to play.

Jones said: “We’re right in the ball game.

“Somebody came in and said ‘what did Wigan do? What did so-and-so do?’ I’m not interested.

“It’s about us winning football matches and it’s game on.

“It’s very different when the momentum is going that way (upwards) than when it’s coming that way (downwards).

“I said to you that when we had everybody fit, we’d be competitive, and that’s what’s happened.

“Brentford away (7-0 defeat) has hurt us a lot, it hurt us a lot.

“But we’ve kept level-headed as a club, we’ve recovered from it, and let’s see where it takes us.”

Although the win was Luton’s first on the road since September 28, well over four months ago, Jones thought the end to that run had been in sight during recent performances away from home.

He continued: “I feel like it’s been coming.

"I think I look an absolute idiot sometimes when I speak at Nottingham Forest after a 3-1 defeat and 2-0 at West Brom and say I’m pleased with the level of performance, pleased with the control off and on the ball, but I think we saw a result of those performances today.”

Jones had made four changes for the contest, the influential duo Izzy Brown and Glen Rea dropping to the bench, with it being Town’s third game in seven days.

James Bree was also among the substitutes, with Harry Cornick not included due to a slight knock, meaning Cameron Carter-Vickers, Luke Berry, Kazenga LuaLua and Martin Cranie came in.

On his decision to freshen up the side, Jones said: “There is always a plan and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

“I’ve got a group of players that I believe in. I’ve got a group of players that understand that in these three-game weeks, everyone wants to play but you need everybody.

“I don’t care about making decisions. That’s what I’m paid to do.

“I think I work hard enough to make a measured decision, as if you’re guessing, then you won’t get football results.

“It’s the first time I’ve had everybody available, apart from losing Harry Cornick a little bit with his hamstring.

“So I’m really satisfied, but remember that the players have to come in and perform.

“You think about Cameron coming in, I know I got heavily criticised for leaving him out and we got a clean sheet on Wednesday night.

“Then you think about Matty (Pearson) playing right-back, think about Martin Cranie’s level – I’ve said for a long, long time, how much we miss Martin.

“Glen’s contribution over recent weeks has been magnificent, then you think about Luke Berry, Kaz and that’s the definition of a team, that’s the definition of a squad.

“People are coming in, prepared to contribute, that’s all I spoke about at this football club at the beginning, and that’s where we are at the minute.”

Despite Town's woeful form on the road ahead of the contest, Jones denied it had been playing on his mind, adding: "I don’t think like that.

"I just think, ‘next game, let’s win it,’ I don’t care where it is, I don’t believe in all those hoodoos.

"I think if we are measuring today, I tried to go a little bit more solid with Matty Pearson – a centre-half – at right-back.

“Matty’s somebody I know can play three games a week, like Pelly-Ruddock, like Ryan Tunnicliffe.

“Sonny (Bradley) played two, Cam played two. Dan Potts was a bit of a gamble at three, I couldn’t risk Glen, couldn’t risk Izzy, so it’s getting the balance of your squad right.

“But it’s about people contributing, James Collins is robust.

“The satisfaction with the level of performance, effort and the mentality, is really satisfying."

Belief pays off for Luton chief as Tunnicliffe pops up with winner at the Riverside

Midfielder scores his first goal as Hatters defeat Middlesbrough

Luton chief Graeme Jones felt his belief in Ryan Tunnicliffe paid off as the midfielder scored the winner with his first goal for the club at Middlesbrough this afternoon.

The summer signing from Millwall had been criticised by some sections of the home support for his performance during last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at home to Cardiff City.

However, he retained his place for Wednesday night’s 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, staying in the side at the Riverside as well, where his left footed volley on 17 minutes separated the two teams.

Jones said: “I believe in Ryan, you get to know people and he’s certainly got the talent.

"He’s certainly got the mentality, he’s got the experience for this level.

"For me, he’s been there from minute one, not always great, not always bad, but he gives us a level.

"His performances have probably mirrored the team’s performance at times, in terms of getting to know the league, getting experience in the league, because you can’t do it on your own.

"But I believe in him and it was another really solid performance from him today."