Middlesbrough 1-1 Blackburn Rovers: Both sides down to 10 men in draw

Jonny HowsonImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Jonny Howson has now scored six goals in 176 league games for Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers both finished with 10 men as they shared the points at the Riverside Stadium.

Sam Gallagher put the visitors in front after 17 minutes, before Boro captain Jonny Howson equalised before half-time.

Blackburn defender Hayden Carter was sent off late on for two bookings, and he was quickly joined by home midfielder Samy Morsy, who was shown a straight red for a late challenge.

The result keeps both teams mid-table in the Championship, with one defeat apiece from their five games.

The match pitched together the Championship's oldest manager in Neil Warnock and the longest-serving in Tony Mowbray, but the latter is more likely to be happy with a point.

Blackburn have not found a replacement for last season's top scorer Adam Armstrong and are having to ask for more from players like Gallagher.

He grabbed his second of the season when he rifled in after being set up by debutant Ian Poveda-Ocampo, who has signed on a season's loan from Leeds.

But Boro struck back when Howson rounded off an excellent counter attack, finishing off an excellent pass from Anfernee Dijksteel.

They threatened a winner and there was almost a dream goal on debut for Tayosi Olusanya, who had been preparing for the season at National League South Billericay Town. He looked set for a tap-in but for a crucial block from Rovers captain Darragh Lenihan.

Carter picked up a second yellow for a foul on Paddy McNair before Morsy's challenge on substitute Tyler Magloire was deemed worthy of a red by referee Michael Salisbury.

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock told BBC Radio Tees:

"We played some good stuff today, probably as good as since I've been here. But we didn't have that clinical finishing.

"We had very little on the bench today to change so I suppose in the end you don't want to lose the game. But if this had been a boxing match, the referee would have stopped it.

"I thought Jonny Howson was 10 out of 10 today, that's the best game I've seen him have since I've been here."

Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"It wasn't very nice. It takes two teams to play a football match and Middlesbrough really deny you from playing.

"They're very combative and man-for-man in midfield. It was a real eye-opener for young Leighton Clarkson and Ian Poveda-Ocampo to play against that today.

"I thought Boro were good. They were at it and on the front foot, so we'll take the point, put it in the bag and move on to the next game."

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