Blackburn 0-1 Middlesbrough: Promotion-chasing Boro see off 10-man Rovers

Blackburn 0-1 Middlesbrough: Promotion-chasing Boro see off 10-man Rovers
Middlesbrough moved up to fifth in the Championship after a routine 1-0 win at 10-man Blackburn.Britt Assombalonga’s close range header in the 19th minute – his 12th strike of the season – was ultimately enough for Tony Pulis and his side, who produced a dominant first-half performance to provide the platform to victory.3

Assombalonga continued his fine run of goal scoring form

Their task was helped by Derrick Williams, who was sent off just before half-time, and Boro would have added to the scoreline but for the woodwork and superb goalkeeping.Rovers registered one shot on target – but an excellent Darren Randolph save denied Bradley Dack.Boro’s third victory in their last four away games puts them firmly in the play-off picture – and they won’t be giving up on automatic promotion any time soon.Their victory heaped the misery on former player and manager, Tony Mowbray, whose side are now firmly mid-table after a fourth consecutive league defeat – the first time this has happened under his stewardship.Former Boro striker Danny Graham made his 100th league start for Blackburn, one of four changes after the defeat at Reading. Middlesbrough were forced into a defensive reshuffle following injury to Aden Flint and Daniel Ayala’s suspension and Assombalonga was restored to the starting XI after the loss at Sheffield United.The visitors started brightly, with Ashley Fletcher heading straight at David Raya, and he was involved in the 19th minute as Boro took a deserved lead.Fletcher latched onto a long ball and although his low drive was deflected – seemingly wide – Assombalonga was following in and had the simple job of heading into an empty net.Lewis Wing curled narrowly over soon after, but Rovers did not help their own cause on the stroke of half-time, when Williams was sent off for bringing down Fletcher on the edge of the area when he was clean through.3

Rovers had to play the entire second half with just 10 men due to Williams’ dismissal

Rovers tried to freshen things up at half-time but were almost further behind within minutes of the restart through Wing’s dipping 25-yard shot, which clattered the crossbar with Raya beaten.Boro went even closer 20 minutes from time when Jonny Howson’s effort from out wide looked to be heading in but Raya did magnificently well to tip the ball over.The game became stretched as time wore on, with Graham blazing over an excellent chance from eight yards, before Fletcher shot meekly at Raya.3

Pulis’ side move up into fifth, jumping ahead of Bristol City

Dack thought he had equalised seven minutes from the end when he caught the ball crisply on the half-volley from close range but Randolph produced a stunning save to deny him.The visitors responded on the break and Assombalonga’s fine low strike was thwarted through Raya, who showed excellent reflexes to get a hand on the shot and tip over the loose ball.However, one goal proved enough for Pulis and his team.

---

Paris Saint-Germain will use Liverpool's Champions League visit to open transfer talks with the Reds, according to reports. Fabinho, the Brazil midfielder, is believed to be a target of PSG's
Paris Saint-Germain 'to open talks with Liverpool midfielder

---

Tottenham's crucial third goal DID hit Fernando Llorente on the arm before going into the net during their thrilling Champions League quarter-final victory over Manchester City. A replay has

---

Welcome to the Evening Standard's LIVE blog dedicated to the latest transfer news and rumours. Transfer news, rumours and today's football gossip | January 5, 2019. Chelsea are said to be close to sealing a complicated loan agreement which will bring Gonzalo Higuain to Stamford Bridge.
Latest Chelsea transfer rumours: Higuain 'done', Paredes

---

Alan Shearer scores the third goal for England against Netherlands The second-half saw a surge from the hosts at Wembley and they swept their opponents aside with another three goals, including THAT Alan Shearer strike, where he, Teddy Sheringham, and Paul Gascoigne appeared to operate on a telepathic level.
NewsNow: Ajax news | Breaking News & Search 24/7

---

Manchester City vs Hoffenheim team news: Phil Foden starts his third Champions League clash. The 18-year-old starts just two days after signing his new six-year contract with the Premier League
Manchester City vs Hoffenheim team news: Phil Foden starts

---

Neymar has been ruled out for up to 10 weeks and will miss both legs of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League round of 16 tie against Manchester United, the Ligue 1 club have confirmed. The
Neymar to miss United matches due to injury with star out for

---

Arsenal are believed to be in talks to sign Paris-Saint Germain's Christopher Nkunku, according to reports from France. The Gunners haven't managed to bring in a single player so far this month and time is running out before next Thursday's deadline.

---

0 - Luis Suarez has failed to score (or deliver an assist) in his last 1,418 minutes of play away from home in the Champions League, that's 23 hours and 38 minutes.
Lewandowski chasing record, Suarez out to end away rut

---

Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic and the Europa League Team of the Tournament as selected by talkSPORT The Europa League hasn't failed to excite this season. For the first time since the UEFA Cup became the Europa League in the 2009/10 season, the final will be talkSPORT 3 days ago Also reported by •Football.london •Daily Star •WorldNews
LIVE Luka Jovic News | One News Page

---

Liverpool team news: Virgil van Dijk hopefully fit to play Leicester, says Jurgen Klopp. Van Dijk returned to training on Monday after falling ill after Liverpool's warm-weather training camp
Liverpool team news: Virgil van Dijk hopefully fit to play

---

Chelsea vs Arsenal: Petr Cech insists focus is on winning Europa League with Gunners after reports of Stamford Bridge return was set to take up an off-field role at Stamford Bridge. Later
Petr Cech insists focus is on winning Europa League with

---

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN'S clash against Montpellier set to take place this weekend has been postponed due to the deadly riots rocking the country. An 80-year-old woman was killed in Marseille and masked protesters in the capital have run riot as people fight back against fuel tax. The Ligue 1 clash has been postponed at the request […]
Monaco vs Nice becomes latest Ligue 1 game to be postponed

---

GRAEME SOUNESS has hailed Fernandinho as the best midfielder in the Premier League. The Brazilian barely put a foot wrong as Manchester City blew the title race wide open with a vital 2-1 victory over Liverpool last night.
Souness hails Fernandinho as best midfielder in England after

---

Former West Ham and England player Stuart Pearce believes there's no reason why Declan Rice can't become Three Lions captain one day. Rice, 20, was called up to Gareth Southgate's squad for their Euro 2020 qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro later this month, just weeks after the Hammers midfielder switched allegiance from the Republic of Ireland.
Stuart Pearce - talkSPORT

---

'I thought it was brilliant': Cardiff boss Neil Warnock defends Jose Mourinho's bottle-throwing antics in Manchester United's late win over Young Boys. Jose Mourinho threw a crate of bottles to
Jose Mourinho and Brian Clough are cut from the same cloth

---