Source: Northern_Echo
Boro slump to third home defeat in a row
MIDDLESBROUGH'S miserable Riverside run continued this afternoon as they slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to Watford.
Tom Cleverley's first-half strike condemned the Teessiders to their third home defeat in succession, and piled further pressure on under-fire manager Gareth Southgate who was forced to listen to yet more boos at both the half-time and full-time whistle.
Boro played well enough in patches, but failed to break down a well-organised Watford side who scored with their only shot on target all game.
The hosts started the game the brighter, but fell behind in the 26th minute. Sean St Ledger gave the ball away on the edge of his own area, and Manchester United loanee Cleverley played a neat one-two with former Boro striker Danny Graham before slotting a side-footed finish past Brad Jones.
The Teessiders enjoyed plenty of possession before the interval, but Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach was not called into action until first-half stoppage time when he turned a Leroy Lita header around the post.
Loach made an even better save five minutes after the interval to keep out a fierce Didier Digard drive, and when the Hornets shot-stopper was finally beaten in the 54th minute, referee Scott Mathieson came to his rescue.
St Ledger headed home Mark Yeates corner, but the Irish centre-half was penalised for a push. It looked a particularly harsh decision.
Boro must have thought it was not going to be their day at that stage, a feeling that would only have strengthened five minutes later when Tony McMahons rasping 30-yard drive hit the underside of the crossbar but somehow stayed out.
