Gary Speed's first game as Sheffield United manager ended in defeat as Middlesbrough clinched their first league win of the season.
Kris Boyd capitalised on an error by United defender Chris Morgan to score the only goal - his first for Boro.
Barring this incident, it was a dire encounter showcasing little in terms of creativity or goalscoring chances.
The only two of note were a saved Ched Evans shot for United and a wayward 35-yard drive from Boro's Tarmo Kink.
So far this season, Middlesbrough's results have belied their tag as pre-season promotion favourites, given to them as a result of heavy investment on players largely from Old Firm clubs Celtic and Rangers.
But if this match is representative of their performances so far this season it is clear to see why their start has proved so underwhelming.
As the home side, particularly in the first half, they lacked both the drive and creativity required to force the game with their only effort a speculative long-range drive from Kink that failed to dip enough to prevent it going inches over the bar.
The Blades offered little themselves - barring Evans' 12-yard low drive which was saved by the legs of Jason Steele - but then they didn't have to, content as they seemingly were to take a point from such fancied foes in what is the earliest stages of new manager Speed's regime at the club.
However, Boro's expensive summer outlay has recruited individuals - particularly Scottish Premier League record goalscorer Boyd - with the ability to make the most of the few opportunities afforded to them.
When the mistake came - Morgan air-kicking an attempted clearance - Boyd was able to collect, run on goal and finish well into the far corner.
Speed made changes to try to get something from the game, but the closest they came was a deflected Jamie Ward shot that flew inches ahead of well-placed substitute striker Daniel Bogdanovic.
Live text and stats
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Npower Championship
Home Team
Score
Away Team
Time
Middlesbrough
1-0
Sheff Utd
FT
(HT 0-0)
Boyd 52
Middlesbrough
30 Steele
04 Bates yellow card
05 Wheater yellow card
06 McManus
36 Kilgallon
10 Bailey
17 Robson
19 Halliday (Taylor 78)
07 McDonald
09 Boyd (Lita 69)
11 Kink (Arca 46)
Substitutes
21 Coyne,
02 Hoyte,
26 Taylor,
20 Arca,
15 Lita,
16 Miller,
22 Williams
Sheff Utd
01 Simonsen
03 Nosworthy (Quinn 76)
05 Morgan
06 Ertl
16 Taylor
23 Bartley
04 Montgomery
08 Britton
09 Evans (Bogdanovic 66)
17 Cresswell
18 Ward
Substitutes
13 Aksalu,
22 Kozluk,
11 Yeates,
28 Quinn,
10 Bogdanovic,
30 James,
31 Chapell
Ref: WhitestoneAtt: 14,633
MIDDLESBROUGH
SHEFF UTD
Possession
Middlesbrough47%
Sheff Utd53%
Attempts on target
Middlesbrough3
Sheff Utd3
Attempts off target
Middlesbrough4
Sheff Utd3
Corners
Middlesbrough2
Sheff Utd7
Fouls
Middlesbrough12
Sheff Utd12
Final Result
94:48 The referee gets the match started.
Full Time
90:00+4:28 Defending throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
90:00+4:15 Foul by Johnny Ertl on Leroy Lita, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Nicky Bailey.
90:00+3:27 Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
90:00+3:18 Daniel Bogdanovic takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar.
90:00+2:22 Unfair challenge on Nick Montgomery by Leroy Lita results in a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Andy Taylor.
90:00+0:54 Strike on goal comes in from Jamie Ward from the free kick, save made by Jason Steele.
90:00+0:54 Booking David Wheater is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
90:00+0:33 David Wheater is adjudged to have handled the ball.
90:00 The referee brings the game to a close.
89:41 Attacking throw-in by Nick Montgomery (Sheff Utd).
89:02 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
88:22 Leon Britton is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Jason Steele.
87:07 Defending throw-in by Kyle Bartley (Sheff Utd).
86:47 Defending throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
86:19 Defending throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
85:30 Attacking throw-in by Nick Montgomery (Sheff Utd).
84:51 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Andy Taylor from the left by-line, Matthew Bates manages to make a clearance.
83:57 Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Barry Robson, clearance by Kyle Bartley.
83:50 Scott McDonald sends in a cross, blocked by Kyle Bartley.
83:33 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
83:00 Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
82:33 David Wheater concedes a free kick for a foul on Richard Cresswell. Free kick crossed left-footed by Andy Taylor from left channel.
81:46 Jamie Ward gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Julio Arca. Direct free kick taken by Nicky Bailey.
79:32 Inswinging corner taken by Jamie Ward from the left by-line.
77:36 Matthew Bates takes the direct free kick.
77:36 Substitution Andrew Taylor comes on in place of Andy Halliday.
77:36 Jamie Ward challenges Matthew Bates unfairly and gives away a free kick.
76:46 Stephen Quinn fouled by Barry Robson, the ref awards a free kick. Stephen Quinn takes the free kick.
76:09 Nicky Bailey fouled by Richard Cresswell, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Matthew Kilgallon.
75:27 Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
75:02 Substitution Stephen Quinn on for Nyron Nosworthy.
74:56 Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
74:46 Shot by Jamie Ward from just outside the area goes over the net.
74:15 A cross is delivered by Leon Britton, Matthew Bates manages to make a clearance.
71:46 Defending throw-in by Nyron Nosworthy (Sheff Utd).
70:54 Shot by Barry Robson. Kyle Bartley gets a block in.
70:21 Jamie Ward challenges Matthew Bates unfairly and gives away a free kick. Matthew Bates takes the direct free kick.
69:30 Shot by Nick Montgomery from just outside the area goes over the net.
68:59 Substitution Leroy Lita on for Kris Boyd.
68:49 Daniel Bogdanovic sends in a cross, Andy Halliday gets a block in.
67:54 Unfair challenge on Leon Britton by Scott McDonald results in a free kick. Leon Britton takes the free kick.
65:22 Substitution Ched Evans goes off and Daniel Bogdanovic comes on.
65:05 A cross is delivered by Matthew Kilgallon, save by Kyle Bartley.
64:26 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
63:01 Richard Cresswell restarts play with the free kick.
63:01 Booking Matthew Bates is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
62:37 Foul by Matthew Bates on Richard Cresswell, free kick awarded.
62:17 The ball is delivered by Nyron Nosworthy.
62:00 Attacking throw-in by Nyron Nosworthy (Sheff Utd).
61:10 Attacking throw-in by Andy Taylor (Sheff Utd).
59:52 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
59:31 Defending throw-in by Nyron Nosworthy (Sheff Utd).
58:27 Corner taken by Nick Montgomery, save by Jason Steele.
58:16 Short corner taken by Ched Evans.
57:03 Jamie Ward takes a outswinging corner.
56:52 Nick Montgomery produces a cross, brilliant save by Jason Steele.
56:09 Kris Boyd challenges Johnny Ertl unfairly and gives away a free kick. Steve Simonsen takes the direct free kick.
55:33 The ball is sent over by Andy Taylor.
54:57 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nick Montgomery by Nicky Bailey. Free kick taken by Jamie Ward.
53:24 Nyron Nosworthy challenges Andy Halliday unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Nicky Bailey.
51:52 Assist by Scott McDonald.
51:52 GOAL - Kris Boyd:Middlesbrough 1 - 0 Sheff Utd Kris Boyd scores a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Middlesbrough 1-0 Sheff Utd.
51:14 A cross is delivered by Matthew Kilgallon.
51:00 Foul by Nick Montgomery on Barry Robson, free kick awarded. Barry Robson restarts play with the free kick.
50:20 Goal kick taken long by Steve Simonsen (Sheff Utd).
49:22 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
48:12 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
47:16 Andy Halliday crosses the ball, Kyle Bartley makes a clearance.
45:14 Chris Morgan challenges Scott McDonald unfairly and gives away a free kick. Stephen McManus restarts play with the free kick.
45:01 Substitution Julio Arca joins the action as a substitute, replacing Tarmo Kink.
45:01 The second half kicks off.
Half Time
45:00+0:44 Richard Cresswell fouled by Kris Boyd, the ref awards a free kick. Andy Taylor takes the direct free kick.
45:00+0:12 Defending throw-in by Nyron Nosworthy (Sheff Utd).
45:00 The players leave the pitch at half time.
44:25 Defending throw-in by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
44:01 A cross is delivered by Nyron Nosworthy.
43:45 Goal kick taken long by Steve Simonsen (Sheff Utd).
42:50 Defending throw-in by Andy Taylor (Sheff Utd).
42:46 Barry Robson delivers the ball.
42:26 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
42:20 Matthew Kilgallon sends in a cross, clearance by Kyle Bartley.
39:09 Shot on goal by Scott McDonald from just inside the area goes over the target.
38:44 Defending throw-in by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
37:49 Defending throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
36:42 Centre by Nick Montgomery, save by Jason Steele.
36:21 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Jamie Ward from the left by-line, save by Jason Steele.
36:08 Richard Cresswell takes a shot. Blocked by Matthew Bates.
35:26 Inswinging corner taken by Jamie Ward, Kris Boyd manages to make a clearance.
35:16 Jamie Ward delivers the ball, save by Jason Steele.
34:44 Defending throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
34:01 Goal kick taken long by Steve Simonsen (Sheff Utd).
33:06 Goal kick taken long by Steve Simonsen (Sheff Utd).
32:50 Tarmo Kink takes a shot from a long way out clearing the bar.
32:30 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
32:11 The ball is sent over by Matthew Kilgallon, Kyle Bartley manages to make a clearance.
31:41 Richard Cresswell concedes a free kick for a foul on Matthew Bates. David Wheater restarts play with the free kick.
30:51 The offside flag is raised against Andy Halliday. Indirect free kick taken by Steve Simonsen.
30:17 A cross is delivered by Matthew Kilgallon, Kyle Bartley manages to make a clearance.
29:30 Effort on goal by Nicky Bailey from outside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.
29:22 The ball is sent over by Matthew Kilgallon, Kyle Bartley manages to make a clearance.
28:51 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
24:20 Unfair challenge on Barry Robson by Richard Cresswell results in a free kick. Strike comes in from Barry Robson from the free kick.
23:11 Defending throw-in by Nyron Nosworthy (Sheff Utd).
22:52 Defending throw-in by Nyron Nosworthy (Sheff Utd).
22:28 Attacking throw-in by Nyron Nosworthy (Sheff Utd).
22:10 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
20:58 Defending throw-in by Nyron Nosworthy (Sheff Utd).
19:53 Attacking throw-in by Barry Robson (Middlesbrough).
19:26 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Barry Robson from the left by-line, Chris Morgan manages to make a clearance.
19:19 The ball is crossed by Andy Halliday, Ched Evans makes a clearance.
18:12 Attacking throw-in by Leon Britton (Sheff Utd).
17:22 Free kick awarded for a foul by Tarmo Kink on Richard Cresswell. Andy Taylor takes the direct free kick.
16:33 Ched Evans takes a shot. Save by Jason Steele.
15:26 Defending throw-in by Nicky Bailey (Middlesbrough).
14:35 Free kick awarded for a foul by Richard Cresswell on Barry Robson. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Barry Robson from right channel, Richard Cresswell gets a block in.
13:44 Unfair challenge on Kris Boyd by Nick Montgomery results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Barry Robson.
12:53 Goal kick taken long by Jason Steele (Middlesbrough).
12:21 Richard Cresswell fouled by Tarmo Kink, the ref awards a free kick. Andy Taylor restarts play with the free kick.
11:17 The ball is delivered by Nyron Nosworthy, clearance made by Stephen McManus.
10:53 Attacking throw-in by Nyron Nosworthy (Sheff Utd).
10:13 Defending throw-in by Matthew Bates (Middlesbrough).
9:13 Free kick awarded for a foul by Andy Halliday on Nyron Nosworthy. Andy Taylor crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance by Stephen McManus.
9:01 Attacking throw-in by Ched Evans (Sheff Utd).
8:16 Defending throw-in by Nyron Nosworthy (Sheff Utd).
7:37 Shot from 20 yards by Scott McDonald. Save by Steve Simonsen.
7:13 Matthew Kilgallon produces a cross, save by Steve Simonsen.
7:00 Attacking throw-in by Matthew Kilgallon (Middlesbrough).
4:36 Matthew Bates challenges Richard Cresswell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Nick Montgomery.
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