Championship leaders Leicester suffered their second successive 1-0 defeat after Sam Greenwood settled a tight game with a late stunner to send Middlesbrough into the international break on a high.
Enzo Maresca’s side lost to Leeds last week and Greenwood – on loan at Boro from Elland Road – hit a brilliant free-kick seven minutes from time to lift Michael Carrick’s Boro up to 10th in the table, just two points outside the top six.
Leicester are now only top on goal difference following Ipswich’s win over Swansea.
The Foxes had looked the more likely winners for long spells at the Riverside but could not force a way through Middlesbrough’s organised backline.
There was not much to separate the sides in a hard-fought first half, with both keepers making brilliant saves.
Leicester dominated possession in the opening stages but it was Boro who created the better of the early chances, with Josh Coburn – who bagged a brace in last week’s 3-3 draw at Plymouth – twice going close.
Although the home side did a good job of restricting Leicester, the Foxes did have two good first-half opportunities to break the deadlock.
Maresca’s side were almost gifted an opener when Isaiah Jones’ attempted backpass was intercepted by Kelechi Iheanacho, who stung the hands of home goalkeeper Seny Dieng.
And just after the half-hour mark, Dieng again denied the leaders, making a superb one-handed save to keep out Jannik Vestergaard’s header after a corner from the left.
In the dying seconds of the opening period, it was the turn of Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen. First he got down to his left to tip a low Matt Crooks shot around a post. And from the resulting corner, he clawed out a Dael Fry header that looked destined for the top corner.
Leicester tried to turn the screw in the second half and substitute Abdul Fatawu bounced over a volley from close in after good work down the left from Stephy Mavididi.
Mavididi then had a chance of his own but dragged his left-footed shot wide of the far post, before Iheanacho was gifted an opportunity after a Dieng mistake, only for the keeper to make amends with a fine stop.
Iheanacho beat Dieng with his next chance with just over 10 minutes to play, only to see his delicate chip bounce back off the near post. And moments later, against the run of play, Boro scored what proved to be the winner.
There was initially some anger inside the Riverside when referee Oliver Langford pulled back play for a foul on Greenwood instead of playing the advantage with the home side in the attack and with men over.
But Greenwood lifted himself off the deck to curl home a beautiful free-kick into Hermansen’s top corner.
[(Hamrun Spartans F.C.) Strength]: 1. Hamrun Spartans F.C. were eliminated by FC Dynamo Kyiv in the previous stage of the Champions League qualifiers and can only compete for a Europa League spot at present. Facing Israeli giants Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C., Hamrun Spartans F.C. hope to strive for a win to lay a solid foundation for the second leg and are highly motivated.[(Hamrun Spartans F.C.) Weaknes...
[(Houston Dynamo) Strength]: 1. Starting forward Ezequiel Ponce scored 9 goals across all competitions this season, the top scorer of the team.[(Houston Dynamo) Neutral]: 1. The two teams met only once in the last 10 years, where Houston Dynamo drew 0-0 with Pachuca in the 2023 Leagues Cup.[(Houston Dynamo) Weakness]: 1. Houston Dynamo lost two games in the Leagues Cup, ranking at the bottom of th...
[(Malmo FF) Strength]: 1. As the traditional giants in the Allsvenskan, Malmo FF are now 4th in the league with stable performances this season. In this Champions League qualifier against F.C. Copenhagen, they will take home advantage to go all out.2. Malmo FF performed well in the league and the Champions League qualification lately. They have remained unbeaten since July, receiving 7 wins and 2 ...
[(PFC Ludogorets Razgrad) Strength]: 1. PFC Ludogorets Razgrad striker Ivaylo Chochev has scored in the last two matches. The player is in good form and is expected to start in this game.2. PFC Ludogorets Razgrad defeated FC Dobrudzha 2-1 in the last First Professional Football League (Bulgaria) match and have remained unbeaten in regular time in the last five games, with a commendable performance...
[(KF Shkendija) Strength]: 1. KF Shkendija's goals in the last round of the UEFA Champions League were scored by different players.2. KF Shkendija advanced after winning 3-1 on aggregate against FCSB in the last round of the UEFA Champions League.3. KF Shkendija are good in form at home, winning both of their last 2 home games.4. KF Shkendija have conceded only three goals in their last five match...
[(FC Kairat Almaty) Strength]: 1. FC Kairat Almaty's young player Dastan Satpaev scored one goal and provided one assist in the last European competition match. He is expected to play the role of a surprise weapon in this upcoming game.2. FC Kairat Almaty won 1-0 against Ulytau Zhezkazgan in their last game, achieving a 3-game winning streak in all competitions and showing a clear improvement in t...
[(Rangers F.C.) Strength]: 1. Playing at home this time, Rangers F.C. will do their utmost to win and gain an advantage in advancing, so their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. James Tavernier performed outstandingly in the last game. He scored a goal shortly after the game started, helping his team take the lead over their opponents for a while.3. In a recent domestic league match, Rangers F.C. ...
[(FC Machida Zelvia) Strength]: 1. FC Machida Zelvia are on a 7-game winning streak, showing strong recent form.2. FC Machida Zelvia scored 12 goals in the last 5 games, averaging over 2 goals per game, which revealed full attack.3. FC Machida Zelvia conceded 2 goals in the last 5 games, with an average of less than 1 goal per game, indicating outstanding defense.[(FC Machida Zelvia) Neutral]: 1. ...
[(FC Dynamo Kyiv) Strength]: 1. Mykola Shaparenko and Vladyslav Vanat both notched 1 goal and 1 assist in the last 2 games, showing their good shape.2. FC Dynamo Kyiv won 1-0 over Veres Rivne in the last Ukrainian Premier League game, starting the new season's league with a win.3. FC Dynamo Kyiv won 6-0 over Hamrun Spartans F.C. in two legs in the last Champions League round, advancing smoothly.4....
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. On this Day Football Klopp is currently Red Bull's Head of Global Football,And He advises RB Leipzig Man Utd are prepared to let Hojlund go for £30m 367 out of 368 players who played in EURO 2004 have retired.Only ONE is still playing, and his name is Cristiano Ronaldo.RESPECT! Just a REMINDER that the RELEASE of GTA VI, Champions League FINAL, and st...
- 1 Phil Parkinson breaks silence on Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's shock bid to bring ex-Man Utd star Christian Eriksen to Wrexham
- 2 TIPS - Real Salt Lake VS Atletico San Luis
- 3 Arsenal legend backs Premier League rivals to become next invincibles and take prestigious title from Gunners
- 4 Go Ahead Eagles star duo linked to Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers
- 5 Daily Laugh - Raya nair
- 6 Man Utd, Newcastle turn to Stuttgart striker Woltemade
- 7 Bayern Munich confirm Palhinha "transfer negotiations" as Spurs move closer
- 8 Transfer rumors, news: Chelsea face dilemma over Simons
- 9 Liverpool ready "to go big" for wantaway Newcastle striker Isak
- 10 Real Madrid Willing to Sell Rodrygo — But Only If Two Key Conditions Are Met