Ulstermen McNair and Saville help Middlesbrough slide past Forest

Northern Ireland internationals Paddy McNair and George Saville proved instrumental as Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough continued their push for the playoff spots with a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

The away side took the lead after just 15 minutes thanks to former Forest man Britt Assombalonga. Jonny Howson’s drilled cross across the six yard box found the captain in acres of a space for a tap in. The Forest backline seemed to have stopped in expectance of an offside flag – but referee Andy Woolmer waved away the appeals.

Ballyclare-born Paddy McNair was involved in a huge opportunity which should’ve seen Boro enter the interval 2-0 up. His whipped free-kick delivery was headed onto the post by Assombalonga which rebounded back off ‘keeper Brice Samba and out for a corner.

Just four minutes after the restart, George Saville doubled the visitors lead with a textbook close range finish past  a helpless Samba. Marcus Tavernier played Saville through on the left wing who showed class and composure to extend the advantage.

The strike took the midfielder’s goal and assist tally to eight this season – the most of any Middlesbrough player.

The North East side will be disappointed to only have scored two goals on this occasion – full-back Marc Bola struck the woodwork with a vicious strike from the edge of the box in the 70th minute.

The Reds grabbed a consolation in the 93rd minute as substitutes Joe Lolley and Loic Mbe Soh combined to grab one back. Lolley’s fantastic cross was nodded in by the defender for his first Forest goal.

Chris Hughton was disappointed with his side’s first defeat of the new year, telling the club after the game:

“I can’t say we deserved to get a result from the game. I thought we were up against a tough team today, they play to their strengths, but they’ve got quality in the side and I thought in the moments they needed too, they showed that.” 

Boro gaffer Neil Warnock was delighted with his team’s performance, also heaping praise on Jonny Howson.

“The only disappointment was not scoring more goals, really! It’ll be interesting to see how they mark him [Howson] in the papers, I’d give him 11 out of 10 tonight.”

Howson bagged the assist for the away side’s opening goal on the night and recorded four won ground duels and one won aerial duel. The ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’, as named by fans, also left the pitch with three clearances and three interceptions.

The win saw Middlesbrough leapfrog Michael O’Neill’s Stoke City into seventh place, just one off the playoff spots. Their additional game in hand could also see them level on points with sixth placed Bournemouth.

Forest sit just five points clear of the relegation spaces, as they travel to Wales on Saturday for an FA Cup clash against Swansea City.