Akpom earns Boro a point against Bristol City

Chuba Akpom’s second-half equalizer gave Middlesbrough a point in a 1-1 draw with Bristol City at the Riverside Stadium.

Akpom equalized for Boro shortly after half-time, sweeping the ball under Max O’Leary after good work from Riley McGree.

The result sees Middlesbrough drop one place to 20th, with Bristol City falling to 16th in the Championship table.

There was a sense of anticipation around the stadium for Michael Carrick’s first home game in charge of Middlesbrough and the hosts could have taken the lead after eight minutes but for a superb double save by O’Leary to deny first McGree and then Akpom.

Weimann started and finished the move that gave the Robins the lead, playing the ball out to Conway before continuing his run and slotting home from just inside the box.

Middlesbrough pressed for a first-half equalizer and Marcus Forss was unlucky to see his low effort from the edge of the area cannon off the post.

However, it wasn’t long after half-time for the hosts to equalize when McGree’s deflected left-footed cross fell perfectly at the feet of Akpom to slide home his third goal in as many games under his new manager.

Carrick’s side dominated for long periods, enjoying the lion’s share of possession and had 23 shots, but found Robins keeper O’Leary in inspired form to parry their efforts.

The industrious McGree came closest to scoring a winner for Boro but his late long-range effort was again well taken up by O’Leary as the points were shared.

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick told BBC Radio Tees:

“The result is not what we wanted and probably not what we deserved, but I’m really pleased with the lads.

“I was really pleased with the way we went about having control and possession but actually looked dangerous with it at times. If it wasn’t for their goalkeeping we’d be sitting here with more goals and more points.

“The reception the fans gave me at the start was brilliant and I thank them for that.

“We didn’t send them home with the three points, but hopefully there’s enough encouragement and positivity that we can all be happy going forward.”

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol:

“We had to work hard for the points but we showed a real attacking threat, especially in the first half.

“We set it up for that type of game, to make the most of our pace going forward with our attacking options.

“We have received criticism recently and rightly so at times, but our players showed a determination to defend our goal.

“We just needed to have more of the ball and control possession a little more, but it turned into a lot of counter-attacking for us. It’s a struggle point.”