Source: Northern_Echo
Swansea 0 Middlesbrough 3
A stunning second half strike by Marvin Emnes was the highlight of a thoroughly professional Middlesbrough performance at the Liberty Stadium.
Adam Johnson's 20-yard shot and a close-range header from Tuncay Sanli capped a convincing victory for Gareth Southgate's side who quashed concerns over their lack of goal threat.
Emnes' strike was a contender for goal of the month. Controlling a cute pass from Mark Yeates, the striker, who partnered Leroy Lita in attack, let fly from eighteen yards to send the 600 Boro fans into ecstasy.
Earlier, Adam Johnson cracked a low drive from the left wing that skimmed past Swans defender Garry Monk to give Boro a deserved lead after 32 minutes. The ball appeared to take a slight deflection on its way into the net but Johnson was credited with the goal. Tuncay wrapped up the points with a close-range header to mark his late cameo appearance.
The visitors dominated from the start and should have taken sixth minute lead when David Wheater cannoned his header against the upright from Johnson's left wing corner. Robert Huth blasted the rebound into a crowded penalty area but Swansea were relieved to clear the danger. Just before Johnson's opener, Yeates should have done better when good work from Emnes gave the Irish winger a clear run on goal but he fired over the bar from eighteen yards.
Rhys Williams was booked on the half hour mark for his clumsy challenge on Mark Gower. It was the youngster's only action of note in the first half as he struggled to make an impact on the game. Gary O'Neil on the other hand, worked his socks off; winning the ball for Boro and breaking up the Swans forward movement. O'Neil had replaced Didier Digard in the centre of midfield in the starting line-up and Lita was given his first Boro start after Jeremie Aliadiere was forced to withdraw from the squad on Friday after he picked up a hamstring strain.
Swans' fans favourite Leon Britton made his 300th appearance for the club and worked Boro hard in the opening half hour. But as he and his colleagues ran out of steam, Southgate's side took control of the game. A couple of scuffed efforts from Swansea striker Stephen Dobbie were the most dangerous threats to Danny Coyne's goal.
Yeates was his usual lively self, his neat pass set up Emnes' wonder goal and he almost created a second for the Dutch forward.
Tuncay came on for the final 25 minutes of the game as Boro enjoyed a comfortable period of possession when their passing and movement exposed the defeciencies of Paulo Sosa's side.
The Turkey forward grabbed his first Boro goal since May's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa when he flicked a header past Dorus de Vries from Johnson's corner.
Southgate will be very satisfied with an impressive performance that suggests Boro possess far too much quality for the majority of teams in this division.
Goals: A Johnson 32, Emnes 52, Tuncay 80
Attendance: 16,201
Referee: Paul Taylor (Herts)
Boro: (4-4-2): Coyne,McMahon,Wheater,Huth(c),Grounds,Yeates (Arca 85),O'Neil,Williams,A Johnson,Lita (Franks 79),Emnes (Tuncay 67)
Subs (not used): Steele,Hoyte,Taylor,Hines
Swansea:(4-5-1): de Vries,Rangel,Monk,Williams,Tate,McDonald (Richards 63),Britton,Gower (Thomas 63),Dyer,Orlandi(Pintado 76),Dobbie
Subs (not used): Painter,Cornell,Bessone,Bond
