Middlesbrough 0-0 Leicester: Honours even in bore draw at the Riverside
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Claudio Raniei saw Leicester's struggles on the road continue as they were forced to settle for a point in a bore draw at the Riverside Stadium.
Not for the first time this season, the reigning Premier League Champions lacked a cutting edge, and badly missed Jamie Vardy as their joint league top scorer served the last of a three-match ban.
Middlesbrough weren't much better going forward in a New Year's non-event where neither side deserved to come out on top. Gaston Ramirez should have won it for the Teessiders with eight minutes left when he latched onto a weak clearing header from Foxes skipper Wes Morgan, only for the Uruguayan forward to pull his left-foot shot wide from close range.
Boro made most of the running, especially after the break when Leicester seemed to settle for a draw in their battle to avoid following a title success with relegation. Leonardo Ulloa should have done better with a late close range header straight at Brad Guzan, and it's now just three points from 30 on their travels this term, with their last away win in the league having arrived at Sunderland in April.
George Friend cut in from the left to shoot narrowly over as Middlesbrough dominated. The substitute impressed after replacing the hamstrung Antoio Barragan, and provided an inviting cross which Adam Forshaw was unable to convert from close range. Aitor Karanka's side had early penalty claims turned down when Adama Traore tangled with Robert Huth on the edge of the box but it proved to be a rare moment of excitement in a contest that will not live long in the memory and one which did little to ease the two sides' relegation fears.
1) Guzan in titfer-tat move
(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)
There have been many times down the years when a striker has spurned a hat-trick, but when was the last time a keeper did the same? Step forward, Brad Guzan. A lunchtime kick-off and a low winter sun gave the United States stopper a perfect chance to take us back to the 70s when custodians regularly sported all kinds of weird and wonderful headgear to protect their eyes from the glare. Despite plenty of advice from the stands to follow suit, the 32-year-old simply used his arm to do the job until the Teesside sun eventually took its leave.
2) On the road to hell with Leicester
(Photo: PA)
It's now 267 days and counting since Leicester won away in the Premier League, and this was the 10th time they have failed to take maximum points on their travels this term. Little can they have imagined that, when winning 2-0 at Sunnderland on April 10 last year thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy on their way to the Premier League title, that they would head into 2017 looking for their next road trip success.
3) On the Road to Hell with Bob
(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)
Whatever Middlesbrough's result, you can always count on celebrity supporter Bob Mortimer to raise a smile among fans. Vic Reeves' comedy sidekick is a regular at the Riverside Stadium, and name-checked another famous son of the town with perhaps the most Teesside' gag of the day prior to kick-off, when he revealed to his Twitter followers: "On way to Middlesbrough for the match... Just passed Chris Rea driving the other way... Wonder where he's been?"
4) Rest can be bad for you
(Photo: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty)
Amidst all the bleating from managers regarding the swift turn around required for teams playing on Saturday and Monday - Middlesbrough and Leicester kicked-off just 43 hours after the end of their previous game - it was interesting to see Boro defender Antonio Barragan limp off with hamstring trouble before half-time. Not the same Antonio Barragan who was suspended for the defeat at Manchester United, and who unlike the majority of the other players on show at the Riverside came into the game on the back of week's rest and recuperation? Just for balance, this was Leicester captain Wes Morgan's 81st consecutive Premier League appearance.
5) Would you Adam and Eve it? Clayton has come a long way
(Photo: Plumb Images)
Four years ago almost to the day, Adam Clayton was part of the Huddersfield Town side hammered 6-1 at the King Power Stadium. This Middlesbrough midfielder continues to prove he's more than capable of making the step up to the top flight after last season's promotion-winning campaign, and he can now boast that he has twice finished unbeaten against the reigning Premier League Champions this term.