Middlesbrough 1-0 Swansea City: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ game week one post-match review of Middlesbrough 1-0 Swansea City in the Championship on Saturday, 09 August 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Middlesbrough secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Swansea City at home, a result that snapped their recent inconsistent form. The decisive moment came in the 51st minute when Dael Fry scored the only goal of the game, capitalising on a well-executed set piece. This win was particularly significant for Middlesbrough, as it ended a run of three games without a victory, including a loss to Coventry City and draws against Rangers and Norwich City. Swansea, on the other hand, continued their struggle, extending their winless streak to four games across all competitions, with their last victory coming against Stevenage in a friendly.

The match was characterised by a disciplined performance from Middlesbrough, who managed to keep Swansea at bay despite the visitors' efforts to equalise. Swansea's frustration was evident as they received five yellow cards throughout the game, indicating their struggle to break down Middlesbrough's defence. For Middlesbrough, this result was not entirely surprising given their home advantage and the recent form of both teams. Dael Fry's goal proved to be the difference, highlighting his importance to the team's defensive solidity and their ability to capitalise on set-piece opportunities.

The statistics from the match reflect Middlesbrough's dominance and control over the game. With 54% possession and seven corners compared to Swansea's two, Middlesbrough clearly dictated the tempo and created more scoring opportunities. The home side's ability to convert one of these chances into a goal was crucial, while Swansea's higher successful dribble percentage of 44% did not translate into meaningful attacks. The five yellow cards received by Swansea players further underscore their difficulty in penetrating Middlesbrough's defense and their growing frustration as the game progressed.

The disparity in yellow cards, with Middlesbrough receiving only two, suggests a more composed and disciplined approach from the home team. Swansea's four substitutions compared to Middlesbrough's three indicate a more desperate attempt to change the game's dynamics, but to no avail. Overall, the statistics align well with the result, showcasing Middlesbrough's superior performance and tactical execution on the day.

The turning point of the match came in the 51st minute when Dael Fry scored the only goal of the game, heading in from a well-taken set piece. This goal not only gave Middlesbrough the lead but also shifted the momentum firmly in their favour, as Swansea struggled to find a response. Fry's goal was a testament to Middlesbrough's set-piece prowess and their ability to capitalise on crucial moments.

The game was also marked by a series of yellow cards, with Swansea receiving five compared to Middlesbrough's two. This disciplinary disparity highlighted Swansea's growing frustration and their inability to break down Middlesbrough's defence. Substitutions were made by both teams, with Middlesbrough bringing on Abdoulaye Raslan Kanté, Vivaldo Borges dos Santos Neto, and Marcus Forss in the latter stages to help see out the game. These changes helped Middlesbrough maintain their lead and secure the three points.

Middlesbrough lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Sol Brynn in goal and a back three of Luke Ayling, Dael Fry, and Alfie Jones. The midfield was anchored by Aidan Morris and Hayden Hackney, with Callum Brittain and Sam Silvera providing width. Up front, Morgan Whittaker and Delano Burgzorg supported Tommy Conway. The lineup was largely expected, with no major surprises.

Dael Fry's performance was particularly noteworthy, as he not only scored the winning goal but also played a crucial role in Middlesbrough's defensive solidity. The substitutions of Abdoulaye Raslan Kanté, Vivaldo Borges dos Santos Neto, and Marcus Forss in the latter stages helped Middlesbrough maintain their lead and see out the game. Overall, the lineup and formation worked well, contributing to a well-deserved victory.

Swansea City opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lawrence Vigouroux in goal and a back four of Josh Key, Ben Cabango, Cameron Burgess, and Josh Tymon. The midfield was controlled by Gonçalo Franco and Jay Fulton, with Ronald, Ethan Galbraith, and Ji-sung Eom supporting striker Liam Cullen. The line-up was typical for Swansea, with no significant surprises.

Despite their efforts, Swansea struggled to break down Middlesbrough's defence, as evidenced by their five yellow cards. The substitutions of Žan Vipotnik, Zeidane Inoussa, Melker Widell, and Kaelan Casey were made in an attempt to change the game's dynamics, but they were unable to find an equaliser. Overall, the line-up and formation did not yield the desired result, as Swansea failed to capitalise on their opportunities.

Dael Fry is Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match for his standout performance against Swansea City. Scoring the decisive goal in the 51st minute, Fry demonstrated his importance to Middlesbrough's set-piece strategy and defensive solidity. His goal was the difference in a tightly contested match, and his overall contribution helped Middlesbrough secure a crucial victory.

Recent matches:

• Win: 1-0 vs Swansea City (H) - Championship

Recent matches:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Middlesbrough (A) - Championship

Middlesbrough sit in 7th place with 3 points after their 1-0 win over Swansea City. They face Millwall, in 3rd place with 3 points, on August 16, 2025, at 15:00. The victory, driven by Emmanuel Latte Lath’s goal and a clean sheet, boosts their confidence, and they’ll aim to maintain their attacking efficiency and defensive solidity to stay in the Championship’s top tier.

Millwall V Middlesbrough - Game Week 2 Championship

Swansea City are in 21st place with 0 points after their 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough. They take on Sheffield United, in 24th place with 0 points, on August 16, 2025, at 15:00. The defeat highlights the need to improve attacking efficiency and defensive solidity to secure their first points against a struggling Sheffield United side.

Swansea V Sheffield United - Championship Game Week 2

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