Leeds United (4-1-4-1)
13 Kiko Casilla - six
Very little for the Spaniard to do. The hosts had their openings, but poor quality and decision-making meant it rarely led to anything. Drew a few pantomime boos from the hosts when he was put under pressure with passes back from his defence.
2 Luke Ayling - six
Had a torrid time with Hayden Coulson down Middlesbrough's left. Made a lovely run in behind for Helder Costa to find him in the second half for what had to be an assist for Patrick Bamford on the goal line.
28 Gaetano Berardi - seven
Solid evening for the Swiss back at the heart of defence in Kalvin Phillips's absence. One or two challenges which saw him over-reaching, but just about kept his head down for a clean sheet and 90 minutes.
6 Liam Cooper © - eight
Comfortably managed Ashley Fletcher, even if the hosts did have a few too many openings for United's liking. Strong and mopped up a lot of Boro's attacks. Really stood out in the final quarter as unnecessary home pressure poured on.
15 Stuart Dallas - seven
Another evening underlining why it was Berardi and not Ezgjan Alioski or Barry Douglas who came into the side tonight. So tight and assured at left-back. Anticipates, intercepts, attacks, overlaps. Dependable.
5 Ben White - six
Steady, but not comfortable in this position. Has improved, but Phillips's quality just makes any deputy stand out like a sore thumb.
17 Helder Costa - five
Some bright sparks, but still not running games as he should against defences like this. Not the best evening for his tracking back either. Ayling seemed left in the lurch more than once. Tries flicks and tricks when he still seems to be mastering the basics at times.
19 Pablo Hernandez - five
Another disappointing midweek evening for the playmaker. His assist for the opening goal cannot mask a night of heavy first touches and misplaced, sloppy passing. Never seemed relaxed or in his rhythm.
43 Mateusz Klich - seven
A cultured finish for the opener with notes of 2018/19. Up and down, offering options all night, but nobody stood out in attack for the right reasons.
22 Jack Harrison - six
Another night of overplaying the ball and hanging onto it for too long, when first-time, swift passes will do. A frustrating watch at times.
9 Patrick Bamford - five
More chances, more misses. Delightful build-up play from Costa and Ayling down the right served up a pass on the goal line for the striker, who contrived to block it and allow a clearance. Had the six-yard box to himself in the first half to head home, only to provide a cushioned pass for Aynsley Pears.
Substitutes
1 Illan Meslier
3 Barry Douglas
10 Ezgjan Alioski
11 Tyler Roberts
46 Jamie Shackleton (on for Hernandez 73min) - six
Bright and full of running, but Boro were in the ascendancy and United were lacking control or ideas in the final third.
48 Jordan Stevens
49 Oliver Casey
