Match ends, Middlesbrough 1, Derby County 0.
MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough1DerbyDerby County0
Former Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren's first return to the Riverside ended in defeat for his promotion-chasing Derby County side.
McClaren was warmly welcomed by Boro fans as recognition for a five-year spell which brought League Cup success and a Uefa Cup final appearance.
But a well-taken second-half goal from Nathaniel Chalobah, his first for the home side, proved decisive.
The defeat leaves Derby fourth, 11 points adrift of second-placed Burnley.
But they have the same points advantage over Nottingham Forest in seventh and, with six games remaining, a play-off spot looks relatively secure.
After a cagey start, Danny Graham had Boro's first real chance, but fired over from inside the box.
Lee Tomlin then squandered a great opportunity for the hosts, firing straight at Lee Grant, but McClaren's side finished the half strongly with Lee Martin blocked by Kenneth Omeruo and Dimi Konstantopoulos palming away George Thorne's follow-up.
As Derby continued to press after the break, Craig Bryson drilled a 20-yard effort straight at Konstantopoulos, Patrick Bamford headed a cross over and Andre Wisdom curled a shot just wide.
Boro went close as a Chalobah through-ball sent Albert Adomah racing into the box, but he poked wide under pressure from defender Jake Buxton.
The deadlock was finally broken on 69 minutes as Emmanuel Ledesma cut in from the right and threaded a ball in for on-loan Chelsea midfielder Chalobah to rifle a low shot inside the far post.
Derby had a chance to level five minutes from time as Conor Sammon floated a free-kick to the far post, but a stretching Buxton poked wide.
Steve McClaren, Derby manager:
"That wasn't us today. We were below-par and that's been very rare.
"We played at a low tempo and, although I thought we bossed that game in terms of possession, we lacked the urgency, penetration and ruthlessness we usually show and we got punished for it. And you could see it coming."
Aitor Karanka, Middlesbrough manager:
"We played very well against a good side who are trying to get into the play-offs. It shows everybody that when we play like a team we can beat any team in this league.
"We played well to beat Brighton last week and now to beat Derby too. We worked very hard and we took one chance.
"The last four or five games at home we have played well but now we are scoring goals and that means you can get positive results."
Line-ups
Middlesbrough
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 13Konstantopoulos
- 8Varga
- 3FriendBooked at 77mins
- 7LeadbitterBooked at 35mins
- 25Omeruo
- 22Gibson
- 14WilliamsSubstituted forButterfieldat 79'minutes
- 24Chalobah
- 9Graham
- 10TomlinSubstituted forLedesmaat 59'minutes
- 27AdomahSubstituted forMainat 90+3'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Steele
- 6Butterfield
- 11Ledesma
- 23Main
- 29Kamara
- 36Atkinson
- 37Kitching
Derby
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Grant
- 33Wisdom
- 3Forsyth
- 34ThorneBooked at 82minsSubstituted forNaylorat 86'minutes
- 6Keogh
- 25Buxton
- 4Bryson
- 8Hendrick
- 9Martin
- 35BamfordBooked at 58minsSubstituted forHughesat 78'minutes
- 11RussellSubstituted forSammonat 61'minutes
Substitutes
- 12Naylor
- 14Eustace
- 15O'Brien
- 18Sammon
- 19Hughes
- 26Legzdins
- 27Whitbread
- Referee:
- Andy Haines
- Attendance:
- 15,234
Match Stats
Home TeamMiddlesbroughAway TeamDerby
- Possession
- Home47%
- Away53%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away3
- Corners
- Home7
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Middlesbrough 1, Derby County 0.
Post update
Jake Buxton (Derby County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Danny Graham (Middlesbrough).
Post update
Corner, Derby County. Conceded by George Friend.
Post update
Foul by Conor Sammon (Derby County).
Post update
Nathaniel Chalobah (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Middlesbrough. Curtis Main replaces Albert Adomah.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jeff Hendrick (Derby County) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Post update
Attempt missed. Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Jacob Butterfield.
Post update
Attempt missed. Conor Sammon (Derby County) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Will Hughes.
Substitution
Substitution, Derby County. Lee Naylor replaces George Thorne.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jake Buxton (Derby County) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by Craig Bryson following a set piece situation.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma (Middlesbrough) because of an injury.
Post update
Chris Martin (Derby County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma (Middlesbrough).
Booking
George Thorne (Derby County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by George Thorne (Derby County).
Post update
Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.
