Burnley vs Middlesbrough

In-form sides collide this afternoon at Turf Moor as Middlesbrough travel to take on Burnley hoping to extend their five-match unbeaten run.

They have had a lot of positive results playing in a certain style. I've a lot of respect for the way Vinny has gone in and changed things around and how much success he has had so quickly. Middlesbrough have got a good squad, and a number of players who, on their day, can do something out of nothing. - Burnley are the only side still unbeaten at home in the Championship this season (W7, D4). The last time either side scored more than once against the other was a 3-2 win to Boro in August 2012 Sitting just above them in joint-first are today's opponents Burnley, who also sit top of the overall table having impressively lost only twice in their 22 games so far.

The former Manchester City icon will be hoping for a win over an in-form Boro managed by his old United adversary this afternoon.

I've a lot of respect for the way Vinny has gone in and changed things around and how much success he has had so quickly. They have had a lot of positive results playing in a certain style. But it’s just another game that we want to go and try and win. Middlesbrough have got a good squad, and a number of players who, on their day, can do something out of nothing. The last time either side scored more than once against the other was a 3-2 win to Boro in August 2012 - Burnley are the only side still unbeaten at home in the Championship this season (W7, D4). “That’s why you win games because you have players who can make the difference. - In our predicted team we didn't go for a formation change but one personnel change. It doesn’t matter who you play, it’s just tough and we will have to turn up on the day.” We'll also be providing updates and analysis throughout the game right here. Winning their last five here, the last time they won more consecutively was in 2009 when they won nine in a row [TeesideLive](https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/burnley-vs-middlesbrough-live-match-25775670), the [revitalised Middlesbrough](https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/burnley-vs-middlesbrough-michael-carrick-25748319) currently sit third in the Championship form table based on their last six results

Video and audio packages are available worldwide for the match from Turf Moor, with the usual broadcast blackout affecting Saturday 3pm kick-offs ...

Burnley supporters piled back into Turf Moor for the first time since the 3-0 win over East Lancashire derby rivals Blackburn Rovers last month.

Manuel Benson scores twice as Burnley beat Middlesbrough and extend their lead at the top of the Championship to six points.

Attempt blocked. - Home4 - Away4 - Shots - Possession "Their first goal was a good finish but was avoidable in terms of knowing what his (Benson's) strength is, as we want to show him away from that area. - Referee: I say 'defended' but I felt we actually controlled a lot of it without the ball. "We put ourselves in a great position because of the way we defended for long spells. On Roberts' red card: "Of course we will appeal next week. We go to Old Trafford now (to play Manchester United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday) to face a different quality of players but with the same goal and ambition. "I knew we would play better if we conceded.

Manuel Benson overcame gifting Middlesbrough the lead to fire his first Burnley brace and take Vincent Kompany's team six points clear at the top of the ...

Any hopes Boro had of a comeback evaporated after 72 minutes. - The win puts Burnley six points clear of Sheffield United at the top of the league Burnley 3-1 Middlesbrough: Vincent Kompany's men rally after Duncan Watmore's opener to an emphatic win thanks to a brace from Manuel Benson to move six points clear at the top of the Championship

Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Burnley and Middlesbrough at Turf Moor as Manuel Benson scored twice to steer ...

Middlesbrough's Michael Carrick: "For me, if you are goal-side of the ball, protecting it like you're told to as a kid, and there is contact and you both fall over then I don't see how you can't give a free-kick or penalty. "He has played at some big clubs in Belgium and he has had to handle pressure and come through that and he did that today. I was told there was minimal contact but, for me, I don't understand how that is not a penalty. He put his hand up and the next ball he received and drove at someone. "We're frustrated and disappointed. I think we're still finding out about each other, I've only worked with him for four months, but I saw him put his hand up and he got his reward.

How did the players fare in Middlesbrough's 3-1 defeat at Burnley? BURNLEY (4-2-3-1):. Muric 6; Roberts 6, Harwood-Bellis 7, Beyer 7, Maatsen 6; Cork 6 (Bastien ...

[Boro](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough)’s counter-attacking in the first half, but dropped out of the game in the second period MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1): BURNLEY (4-2-3-1):

Burnley boss Vincent Kompany paid tribute to countryman Manuel Benson after the Belgian winger had a major influence, at both ends of the field, in…

“The second half was a very complete performance but it is still only halfway,” said Kompany. “This was a reference point for him. “I liked his reaction,” said Kompany.

Only once in the past 14 seasons has the team at the top of the Championship at Christmas failed to finish in the automatic promotion spots.

For me, if you’re in control of the ball and you’re goal side of the defender, and you’re protecting it as you’re told to as a kid, then if there’s contact and you both fall over, I just don’t see how you don’t give a free-kick or a penalty. "I don't think we look at it in a way that people think, but we talk about how we can get in their faces, how we can get the fans behind us. It’s a big moment in the game. If converted, Boro had the chance to force an equaliser against 10 men with six minutes of stoppage time still to play. The home side had suddenly gone from being comfortable to looking vulnerable. "I don't think I've ever played in a club that wasn't extremely good at home throughout my entire career, but it's something I think you have to nurture as well, it doesn't just come. In the second half I think it was a very complete performance." But the final moments weren't without incident. In my head I always reset the clock, I'm sure we'll find things to improve because we'll need to." I'm happy with the goals, but we have to do it." For all their possession, they failed to properly test Boro stopper Zack Steffen, who joined Manchester City just a couple of months after Kompany's departure. "Everything we do is to score goals," claimed Kompany, during his post-match assessment.

A brace from Manuel Benson proved to be the difference in a chaotic game at Turf Moor as Burnley secured a 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough yesterday ...

The first real chance came for the hosts in the 23rd minute when Ian Maatsen put Johann Berg Gudmundsson through on goal – but the Icelander couldn’t make the most of it with Zack Steffen denying him. It looked as though they were going to suffer without the likes of Anass Zaroury and Nathan Tella at their disposal with both shining for them this term – but their strength in depth shone through in the end. However, they showed real mental strength to get themselves back into it and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, something that proved to be crucial in the end. Yesterday, the Clarets dominated possession in the first half despite not having a huge number of chances and would have been hoping to start the second 45 in a similar manner, though they would have wanted to have more substance to accompany their style. These two factors gave the Lancashire outfit the perfect opportunity to strengthen their status as promotion favourites – but after going behind in the way they did – it looked as though they would be coming away with no points. It’s hard to start off on a negative considering their victory – but this is something Kompany will want to focus on because they have gone behind in a few games this term and with that – have given themselves an unnecessary mountain to climb.