Middlesbrough's Championship lead slipped away after a frustrating 0-0 draw at Watford where they dominated the ball but could not find a finish. Kim Hellberg's side had 74 percent possession at Vicarage Road but were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia, a result that sees them drop to second in the league table behind Birmingham on goal difference. The stalemate at Vicarage Road on Saturday 7 November leaves them with a record of eight wins, four draws and two losses from 14 games, but they remain just two points clear at the top of the table.
Middlesbrough had started the day two points clear at the summit with 28 points from 14 games. They created a flurry of early opportunities, with Jeremy Sarmiento's deflected effort sailing wide inside two minutes. Callum Brittain then saw a close-range header brilliantly saved by Ravaglia, and Riley McGree headed Sarmiento's cross narrowly off target. Sam Byram later struck the post with a low drive, one of several near misses.
Hellberg had shaken up his lineup after the midweek defeat at Wrexham, abandoning the 3-4-2-1 formation used in that loss. "He shook up his starting lineup and ditched the 3-4-2-1 formation that simply didn't work in north Wales," the manager said. The changes brought control but not the key goal, with Amario Cozier-Duberry wasting a promising three-on-two break before being substituted at half-time.
The absence of top scorer Will Lankshear, who has 13 goals in 13 appearances this season and is on the injury list, was keenly felt as his deputy David Strelec made little headway. At the other end, the defensive unit stood firm, with Ashley Phillips described as classy and commanding, while Adilson Malanda relished his battle with Watford's striker. Byram was booked, one of two first-half cautions for Boro alongside Brittain.
This was Middlesbrough's second blank in four days, following the 2-0 loss at Wrexham. Their recent form now reads two wins, two draws and a loss from the last five outings, a sequence that includes the 3-0 win over Charlton, a 5-1 victory at Bolton, and a 2-2 draw with Cardiff. They have scored 30 goals and conceded 19 this season for a +11 goal difference.
The visitors currently sit 15th in the table.
More detail at Teesside Live
