Leeds United 2 - 1 Middlesbrough: Player Ratings and Match Stats

With some sides around us dropping points, today's win against the Boro is turning out to be a very good one. Since the announcement of the takeover, Leeds have gone on to pick up 15 points with just one defeat.

The win today was hard fought and required the players to be on top of their game. In all honesty Boro deserved a point from the game and will feel aggrieved to be going home without a point. They had their chances but at the end of the day didn't take them.

Here's my ratings from the game today, if you don't agree then let us know why below.

Paddy Kenny - 7 - Made one or two good saves and was commanding with his punches. His kicking was vital and allowed us to counter-attack on several occasions.

Sam Byram - 9 - Could literally watch him play football all day long. Brave, skillful, pacey and never stops trying. Today caused problems from both right-back and right-midfield. Can see him making it at the highest level and really hope he stays with us.

Tom Lees - 7 - Looked solid and worked hard to compete against the Boro strikers. Showing he's improving under Warnock and hard to see where the impressive Pearce will fit in if Tate stays.

Alan Tate - 7 - Worked well with Lees and did well at the end to help keep the score at 2-1. Looked composed on the ball as usual and hopefully we can keep him.

Lee Peltier - 5 - Still out of position at LB and wasn't helped by Thomas. But every ball was misplaced and for me has to be dropped. Don't want him to fail but it's only fair with McCormack and Pearce missing out each week.

Paul Green - 6 - Looked tired and out of the game in the first half. As always ran his nuts off and played a small part in the goal.

Micheal Tonge - 7 - Played a pivotal role in the final 25 minutes and worked hard. His performance was summed up by his pass to himself before throwing himself into a tackle and being covered in mud.

David Norris - 6 - Will always run himself into the ground but seemed a little lost in the middle. He put in a good tackle now and again and tried to play football but didn't come off for him today.

Jerome Thomas - 6 - Never got going today but in fairness didn't get much service. Boro marked him out of the game for most of it and he looked a little moody coming off - which of course is good to see. Can't see him staying in January but would be nice.

El-Hadji Diouf - 7 - Held the ball up brilliantly. Even made a few tackles which isn't the norm. Set-pieces were deadly and created the second goal.

Luciano Becchio - 9 - For a lump of wood (as some fans describe him) he isn't doing too bad is he? 17 goals this season and deadly in the box. His first goal was sublime today. Keep it Luciano.

Subs:

Aidy White - 6 - Used his pace and made some attacking runs which is must better than he did against Chelsea.

Davide Somma - 6 - Looked a little rusty but did play on the wing which is not his best position. When he did have the ball he made some neat passes and tried a few tricks so clearly confident in his own ability again. Looking forward to his first goal in a long long time.

Jason Pearce - 6 - Made some big headers but only featured for the final 15 minutes. Still played massive part in us holding on for three points.

Match stats