Middlesbrough secured a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

It was the Teessiders who enjoyed the brighter start as the high-press of Duncan Watmore and Marcus Tavernier put the hosts under immediate pressure.

Middlesbrough threatened Bryce Samba's goal when Tavernier's ball was cleared away before George Saville's effort was deflected wide.

Tavernier broke free again moments later but his low effort was well saved by Samba in the Forest goal.

Chris Hughton's side didn't know what had hit them and were punished further when Britt Assombalonga converted from close range after some good work from Jonny Howson.

Forest settled into the game after the goal and had their first real opportunity as Lewis Grabban dragged an effort across the face of goal.

Ryan Yates then went close with a header, before a thumping header from Assombalonga threatened to double Middlesbrough's lead.

Paddy McNair was getting plenty of opportunities to test the Forest defence with his set pieces and the home side really struggled to handle them as they clung on for long spells of the first half.

Forest had the lad opportunity of the first period as Sammy Ameobi went close but some excellent defending from Marc Bola cleared the ball to safety and preserved the lead.

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Middlesbrough's second half got off the a perfect start as well, when a counter attack set Saville free who had the simple task of slotting home to make it 2-0.

Warnock's side were quicker, sharper and more accurate in their play and looked the more likely to add to their tally in the second half and nearly did so when Bola clipped the crossbar with an excellent second-half effort.

As the clock ticked down Morsy let fly with an effort from range that was saved by Samba, before substitute Marvin Johnson fizzed an effort across the face of goal.

Loic Mbe Soh did pull one back in the dying moments but it was Middlesbrough who took a valuable three points from the City Ground.

Who was Middlesbrough's MOTM against Forest?

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