Middlesbrough 1-0 Birmingham: Morgan Rogers nets late for the hosts to spoil Wayne Rooney’s return to English football in his first game as Blues boss
- Wayne Rooney took charge of first game as Birmingham boss at the Riverside
- Game appeared destined to end in a goalless draw heading into final minutes
- But Morgan Rogers netted late at near post to secure three points for the hosts
Just when it seemed as though Wayne Rooney’s good fortune would hold on his return to management, his old Manchester United team-mate Michael Carrick reminded him how harsh their current job can be.
In his first game in charge of Birmingham, Rooney’s men had ridden their luck but with two minutes of normal time remaining, Middlesbrough sub Morgan Rogers turned home Matt Crooks’ return pass to seal a fifth straight win.
As Carrick embraced his staff, Rooney’s shoulders sagged as he gazed to the sky.
Both men had applauded along with the rest of Riverside Stadium at half-time when the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton was announced, before focusing again on the action.
When Birmingham sacked John Eustace – who had led them to sixth – and brought in Rooney, they promised a ‘no-fear’ style of football.
Wayne Rooney’s return to English football ended in defeat courtesy of a late Middlesbrough goal
Boro had the better of the chances in the early going but were unable to take the lead
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That is exactly what Blues attempted here but whether these players are equipped to deliver it is another matter.
MIDDLESBROUGH VS BIRMINGHAM MATCH FACTS AND RATINGS
Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Dieng 6; Smith 6.5 (Forss 81), Fry 7, McNair 6, Engel 7; Barlaser 7 (Howson 76, 6), Hackney 7.5; Jones 7, Crooks 7, Greenwood 6.5 (Rogers 76, 7); Coburn 5 (Latte Lath 66, 6). Subs not used: Glover, Van den Berg, Dijksteel, Silvera, Bangura.
Scorers: Rogers 89
Booked: Crooks, Engel, Hackney, Longelo
Manager: Michael Carrick 7
Birmingham (4-3-3): Ruddy 8; Drameh 6, Sanderson 7, Long 7, Longelo 5.5; Sunjic 7.5 (James 83), Bielik 6.5, Gardner 5 (Bacuna 62, 6); Stansfield 6 (Jutkiewicz 83), Hogan 5 (Miyoshi 70, 6), Dembele 6 (Burke 62, 6). Subs not used: Etheridge, Roberts, Aiwu, Donovan.
Booked: Bielik, Ruddy
Manager: Wayne Rooney 6
Referee: Rebecca Welch 6
Attendance: 28,449
Middlesbrough should have won comfortably and if there was no fear in the dugout, there were certainly jitters among the travelling fans. If this game is a guide, Birmingham’s season will certainly not be dull.
If Rooney is to persist with this style, his players will have to adapt quickly or move on. Krystian Bielik had a good chance for the visitors in the 11th minute but the teething problems had been apparent from an early stage.
Dion Sanderson conceded a corner from what should have been a simple backpass to John Ruddy, then Gary Gardner hit a bizarre crossfield pass that could have resulted in a Boro goal had the home side been more ruthless.
That set the pattern for the half, with Boro failing to take their chances.
Crooks was denied a penalty following a rash challenge from Sanderson, and Josh Coburn headed Dan Barlaser’s free-kick wide when unmarked six yards out.
Blues’ high defensive line continued to look vulnerable though they did catch Boro offside three times before the break.
Isaiah Jones had a goal ruled out because he moved too early and when the game was paused for a clash of heads between Lukas Engel and Cody Drameh, Rooney called over his players and spoke animatedly to centre-backs Sanderson and Kevin Long – but there was no change to the plan.
Coburn shot wide when he really should have scored after Hayden Hackney and Sam Greenwood combined cleverly to release him before Jones also had a penalty appeal turned down when he tumbled under Manny Longelo’s challenge.
Birmingham stuck to their high wire act as in first-half stoppage time, John Ruddy hared from goal, beating two players and then losing the ball. He was relieved only to be booked for conceding a free-kick – nearer the halfway line than his own goal.
Rooney was joined on the touchline by Blues first team coach and Ashley Cole
The hosts had a goal ruled out in the first half after Isiah Jones was judged offside
But Carrick’s side persisted, and substitute Morgan Rodgers poked home from close range to give them a lead two minutes from time
The result marks Middlesbrough’s fifth-straight league win, as they move to 13th in the table
As news of Sir Bobby’s passing was announced, both sets of supporters applauded and Carrick and Rooney joined in.
With the action underway again, Boro kept pushing and Ruddy made impressive saves to keep out efforts from Hayden Hackney and Dael Fry.
He maintained that form with several more key stops as Boro continued to push but could not find that elusive goal. With time ticking down, Blues sub Jordan James nearly turned Crooks’ cross into his own net and when Ruddy palmed it upwards, Rogers could not head in the rebound.
But there was joy for Rogers late on when he stole in front of Ruddy to guide in Crooks’ low ball.
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