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Men's Football Pulis demands Boro be more clinical after narrow win over Bolton

Middlesbrough 2-0 Bolton
by Harry De Cosemo 
at Riverside Stadium 

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Tony Pulis may have watched his side return to winning ways after defeat at Norwich City on Saturday, but he wants his side to be more ruthless in front of goal after a tough night’s work against Bolton Wanderers.

Goals from George Saville and Britt Assombalonga sealed the three points at the Riverside Stadium, but Pulis felt the game could have been wrapped up earlier had his players taken their chances in the second half.

“I thought, first half, we played really well,” Pulis said. “But we need to take our chances in the final third and our decision making needs to be better.

“We had people shooting when they could have played people in. The players really need to be composed and relaxed in that final third.

“I’ve managed in the Championship a long time and I don’t think there are many games where you can relax.

“Credit to Bolton, in the first half they defended really well and had a go in the second. One mistake from us, or a little bit of fortune for them, takes away three points, so you’re always on your toes.”

Boro dominated throughout, with good play on both flanks putting the Bolton defence under pressure early on.

Ryan Shotton was given licence to get forward from right-back, which forced the visitors’ left wing-back Jonathan Grounds, who was facing his former club, to stay deep and helped isolate Josh Magennis up front.

Clear-cut chances were scarce in the opening exchanges, with the hosts’ focal point Jordan Hugill starved of much service as Bolton’s backline continued to hold strong.

Boro were incensed when referee David Coote refused to award a penalty after a coming together between the West Ham loanee and another of their former players, David Wheater, even though there didn’t appear to be much meaningful contact.

Their frustration didn’t last long, though, as Saville opened the scoring 34 minutes into his full debut.

The Trotters’ defence lost its composure when put under pressure by Hugill and the Northern Ireland international was on hand to smash the ball past a helpless Ben Alnwick.

Martin Braithwaite had been buzzing around all evening, the symbol of the home side’s energy and intensity after the goal, and he went close to doubling the lead just before half-time after a driving run into the box.

As so often is the case, the half-time break sucked the energy from the hosts’ play and they were lucky not to concede an equaliser when a shot by Grounds found its way to Josh Vela. Ten yards out and with the goal gaping, he could only scuff his shot into the path of Darren Randolph. 

Aden Flint then thought he’d added a second for Boro, but his close-range finish was chalked off for offside. Moments later, the former Bristol City man headed Stewart Downing’s cross over the bar, before squandering another chance from a Sam McQueen corner. 

Hugill also failed to grab the clincher, shooting weakly at Alnwick after a quick break alongside substitute Assombalonga who, finally, netted in stoppage time, slotting home calmly after another defensive lapse.

The home side climb back up to second in the table. Bolton, who clearly headed to Teesside looking for a draw, drop to 15th place. 

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