Last seen: January 17, 2026 4:47 pm
We're approaching the 75-minute mark. That seems to be when MC starts making substitutions...
Also from the Beeb commentary: A remarkable stat for you as we hit a mini-lull in this second-half... Michael Carrick is the longest serving Champ...
Comment at half-time from the former Blackburn midfielder, Mark Atkins, quoted in the Beeb's live match commentary: The fans have just said it all w...
Borges off injured in the 32nd minute. 🙁 Replaced by RvdB.
And six minutes later, Iling-Junior makes it 0-2 with further assistance from Iheanacho! 🙂 CJ: Good work from Burgzorg down the right. Waits pat...
Blimey! Tommy Conway finds the back of the net after only two minutes - CJ: Boro ahead! How's that for a fast start! Iheanacho volley into Conway's...
That, it seems, was CJ'a thinking, too: Carrick has ultimately opted to keep his faith in Borges and Howson, which feels warranted, given how well t...
This evening's starting XI - no changes:
I doubt it, given that Boro's now 7th in the league, level on points with WBA, but with an inferior GD (three goals fewer).
Borges (!) bags a second in the 80th minute, the assistance again coming from Iling-Junior. CJ: Boro lead! A naughty finish from the Brazilian! Lov...
Interesting comment by CJ in the 71st minute: Oxford want the draw and the dark arts are starting. Vaulks sits down off the ball with an 'injury' an...
Forss replaces Iheanacho in the 75th minute.
I'd given up the will to live until that Iheanacho equaliser in the 48th minute! CJ: Boro level! Boro get the restart they needed. Iling-Junior rec...
So, Boro somehow held out for 0-0. 0 shots on target, seven off compared with 19-5 for the Hatters...
Forss on for Conway in the 75th minute...
No changes at half-time, which is a bit of a surprise, as Borges seemed to suffer a worrying knee injury just before the whistle. Iling-Junior booke...
CJ agrees: That was really poor from Boro. They've been battered here. They could quite easily be five or six down here. No shots on target, they ha...
This comment after 21 minutes doesn't bode well: Another huge let-off Aidan Morris with a blind backpass straight into Adebayo's path who can com...
CJ comments on the starting line-up, including an update on Dede's fitness: It's an unchanged XI then. One defensive injury boost in the form of Jos...
No changes - Dede in the squad:
Hartlepool Mail player ratings = 8s for Dijksteel & HH: & the Gazette's:
Phew!
Thank God for that Dijksteel goal!
Forss & Whittaker on for Conway & Iheanacho in the 77th minute.
Dijksteel increases the Boro lead in the 58th minute, assisted by Morris. 🙂
Still only 1-0 at half-time. Several decent chances to increase the lead spurned, if CJ is to be believed.
Boro takeS the lead: Conway in the 11th minute, assisted by Azaz. 🙂 (I'll come back to that "S" later... 😉 ) CJ: Superb from Hackney. He wi...
Starting XI - four changes, with Howson, Iling-Junior, Burgzorg & Iheanacho in for Fry, Giles, Whittaker & Forss:
For what? I know I haven't visited the blog much since the shambles in Swansea on Saturday, but have I missed something? *puzzled*
I see that Big Josh put Millwall 1-2 up at Watford a few minutes ago... From the Beeb's live match commentary: Great header! Ra'ees Bangura-Willi...