Brentford 1-1 Middlesbrough: Adama Traore strikes but Lewis MacLeod equalises as Tony Pulis' play-off hopefuls are held and Romaine Sawyers is sent off late on for hosts

  • Adama Traore's strike put Middlesbrough ahead in the 21st minute of the game
  • Lewis MacLeod equalised for Brentford with his first goal of the season
  • Brentford end game with ten men as substitute Romaine Sawyers is dismissed 
  • Middlesbrough continue to occupy the final play-off spot in the Championship

Middlesbrough clung on to sixth spot in the Championship after surviving a late barrage from Brentford. 

Tony Pulis had seen his side take the lead midway through the first half thanks to Barcelona academy product Adama Traore, but were pegged back when Lewis Macleod, making his first start after a long injury absence, levelled for the hosts. 

The North East side were then forced into rear-guard action for the majority of the second half as Dean Smith’s side threatened a winner but striker Neal Maupay was guilty of missing the pick of the chances as they were made to settle for a point. 

Adama Traore opens the scoring for Middlesbrough against Brentford with a neat strike

Adama Traore opens the scoring for Middlesbrough against Brentford with a neat strike

Traore, who has produced some impressive performances of late, celebrates his goal

Traore, who has produced some impressive performances of late, celebrates his goal

Brentford's Lewis MacLeod celebrates after his goal pulled his side level versus Middlesbrough

Brentford's Lewis MacLeod celebrates after his goal pulled his side level versus Middlesbrough

The writing was on the wall for Brentford from the ninth minute, when Neal Maupay should have done better with Lewis Macleod’s inviting cross, but the former Nice striker couldn’t get any meaningful purchase on his header. 


The former France under 21 international was well placed again minutes later when Chris Mepham’s low centre fell at his feet just six yards out, but the No 9 could only spoon his effort into the scrum of Middlesbrough fans packed in behind the goal. 

Traore on the other hand, looked in the mood. The 22-year-old, called up the Spain Under-21 squad for the first time this week, drew a cynical foul from Ryan Woods after 14 minutes, the Brentford midfielder unsurprisingly booked for bringing down the winger in full flight. 

Traore found the net in the first half and offered a frequent attacking threat for Middlesbrough

Traore found the net in the first half and offered a frequent attacking threat for Middlesbrough

There was little the Brentford defence could do on 21 minutes though, when Traore wandered across to the left flank to pick up the ball. 

He feinted and shuffled his away across the 18-yard line before hammering a shot past Darren Bentley into the left hand corner.

Macleod tested the reactions of Randolph with a snapshot from outside the area, the keeper reacting well to beat the ball away from danger with one hand.

There was little Randolph could do however as the same player fired home the equaliser just after the half-hour mark.

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis is quick to congratulate Traore on finding the net

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis is quick to congratulate Traore on finding the net

MATCH STATISTICS 

Brentford (4-1-4-1): Bentley 6; Dalsgaard 6, Egan 6, Mepham 6, Clarke 6; Woods 6.5; Jozefzoon 6, Macleod 7 (Sawyers 74, 6), Mokotjo 6, Watkins 6 (Canos 67, 6.5); Maupay 5. 

Subs not used: Yennaris, Marcondes, Daniels, Barbet.

Bookings: Woods, Sawyers, Mepham

Sent off: Sawyers 

Goal: MacLeod 34 

Middlesbrough (4-1-4-1): Randolph 6.5; Shotton 6, Friend 6 (Fry 60, 6), Gibson 6.5, Ayala 6; Clayton 6, Traore 7, Howson 6 (Leadbitter 64, 6), Besic 5.5 (Assombalonga 74, 6), Downing 6; Bamford 5.5.

Subs not used: Konstantopoulos, Cranie, Harrison, Baker.

Bookings: Clayton, Gibson, Besic, Friend

Goal: Traore 21 

Referee: Simon Hooper

Attendance: 11,134 

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Traore is surrounded by his gleeful Middlesbrough team-mates having opened the scoring

Traore is surrounded by his gleeful Middlesbrough team-mates having opened the scoring

Woods managed to move the ball out to the right and Florian Jozefzoon found Macleod late surge in the box with his cut back. 

Ben Gibson got his body in the way of the first effort but when the ball fell at the midfielder’s feet once more he made no mistake, burying the ball in the bottom left-hand corner.

As the snow swirled that little bit quicker at the beginning of the second half, so the pace of the game did too, with Stewart Downing forcing Henrik Dalsgaard into foul after speeding past him. 

Middlesbrough midfielder Jonny Howson takes on Bentford defender Henrik Dalsgaard

Middlesbrough midfielder Jonny Howson takes on Bentford defender Henrik Dalsgaard

It was the former England international’s delivery from deep free kick moments later that brought around the best opening for Boro to regain their lead, but in-form striker Patrick Bamford fluffed his lines when given the freedom of the back post to volley home.

Next it was Brentford’s turn to misfire, as Maupay reproduced the same party piece of the first half, by leaning back and blazing over after Jozefzoon’s burst into the area. 

The hosts began to seize control as they exploited pockets of space down the right. Dalsgaard slipped into the penalty are unchallenged but his shot-cum-cross was cleared away, before substitute Romaine Sawyers saw his low drive diverted round the post by Randolph’s smart stop.

Sawyers then saw red for two bookable offences after preventing Traore from mounting a counter, before Bentley was forced into a fine stop to deny substitute Grant Leadbitter from securing all three points for Boro with a late chip.