Socceroo Riley McGree scored a spectacular goal for Middlesbrough to sign off for the World Cup in style, while Harry Souttar was rested and Kye Rowles red carded in Saturday’s action.
Riley McGree rifled home a stunner in the 64th minute to equalize for Middlesbrough in a 2-1 away win over Norwich City in the English Championship on Saturday.
The Socceroo executed a leaping left-footed volley on a bouncing ball from outside the box with the shot flying into the top corner.
McGree started and played 89 minutes, earning a 7/10 rating from Teesside Live who wrote: “McGree in equal measure can frustrate and delight. For the most part he’d had a frustrating first half but linked well with Giles second half and then scored that superb equaliser to sign off in style for the World Cup.”
Boro boss Michael Carrick told reporters: “It’s a special time for him and to score a goal like that at any moment in your career is certainly one you’ll remember. It was one of them where the ground falls silent for a second because everyone has almost taken a deep breath to appreciate what they’ve witnessed.
“It was a hell of a goal. I’m pleased for him because he’s done a lot of work over the last few games; really good work for the team in terms of his defensive positioning and making things happen for us.
“To get that goal is really deserved, and then to obviously be going away to a World Cup, what a time for him.”
Elsewhere in the Championship, Stoke City confirmed Harry Souttar was “rested” for their 2-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion for whom Tom Rogic was an 80th minute substitute.
Harry Souttar is rested. https://t.co/VneLwCyebQ
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) November 12, 2022
Dean Bouzanis made a rare start and got a 5.5/10 rating from Berkshire Live in Reading’s 2-1 win at Hull City, who had Callum Elder back on the bench after a hamstring injury.
Berkshire Live wrote: “A rare start for the Australian owing to Lumley’s injury at Watford on Tuesday. Got away with one big time midway through the first half when he came steaming out of his goal and missed the ball.”
Kenny Dougall put in a full shift as Blackpool lost 2-1 at Wigan. Lancashire Live rated Dougall 6/10 and wrote: “Solid performance in an unfamiliar centre half role after Ekpiteta’s red card.”
Bailey Wright played a full game in Sunderland’s 2-1 win at Birmingham City on Friday. Sunderland Echo rated him 5/10 and wrote: “Battled tenaciously against a powerful forward line but will be frustrated that his missed clearance allowed Birmingham to get back into the game. Defended his box well after that.”
Ajdin Hrustic was unable to gain any much-needed game-time prior to the World Cup, despite returning to the Hellas Verona squad after an ankle injury. He was an unused sub in Verona’s 2-1 home loss to Spezia in Italy’s Serie A on Sunday.
Cristian Volpato played the first half as AS Roma drew 1-1 with Torino on Sunday.
Awer Mabil earned his second start for Cadiz, getting through 77 minutes in Cadiz’s 3-2 loss at Real Union in Spain’s Copa del Rey.
Mat Ryan was an unused sub as FC Copenhagen won 2-0 at AFC in Denmark’s Superliga on Sunday, while Joel King was left on the bench for OB’s 3-3 draw at Horsens.
Gianni Stensness was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 57th minute as Viking drew 1-1 with Odd in Norway’s Eliteserien on Sunday.
Kye Rowles started a second straight game but was given a straight red card in Hearts’ 1-1 home draw with Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.
Rowles was dismissed after VAR review for tugging the shirt of Joel Nouble who had turned him inside the box, leading to a penalty which was saved.
Hearts boss Robbie Neilsen disputed the decision when he said: “I asked the fourth official the rules on it and he didn’t know. Rowles pulls him back, 100 per cent.
“But then he goes on and gets a shot away. Are you denying a goalscoring opportunity? You’ve still got a goalscoring opportunity. The play goes on and there’s three or four phases. I don’t know but the problem is I don’t think anyone knows. If the officials don’t even know what chances have we got?”
Rowles, who played a full game in midweek for Hearts after his broken foot, still earned a 6/10 rating from the Edinburgh Evening News who wrote: “Flicked a header off of the bar before being turned inside out by Nouble in the box and giving away a penalty for a shirt tug. Played well up to then.”
Nathaniel Atkinson was an unused sub while Cameron Devlin started and played 62 minutes, earning a 6/10 rating. Edinburgh Evening News wrote: “Starting because Halliday picked up an injury in the warm-up, the Australian did enough for pass marks before getting a well-earned rest.”
Aaron Mooy was an unused sub for Celtic’s 2-1 win over Ross County, while Ryan McGowan put in a full shift as St Johnstone drew 1-1 with Motherwell. Aziz Behich and Mark Birighitti both played full games as Dundee United lost 1-0 at Aberdeen.
Keanu Baccus was a 78th minute substitute for St Mirren while Ryan Strain started and played 94 minutes as St Mirren drew 1-1 with Rangers.
Others
Full games
Jason Davidson (Eupen), Alex Gersbach (Grenoble), Jackson Irvine (St Pauli)
Minutes
Jimmy Jeggo – SB 67 (Eupen), Connor Metcalfe – SB 81 (St Pauli), Alou Kuol – ST 46 (Stuttgart II), Caleb Watts – ST 75 (Morecambe), Cam Burgess – SB 90 (Ipswich), Jack Iredale – ST 78 (Bolton)
Unused subs
Alessandro Circati (Parma), Denis Genreau (Toulouse), John Iredale (Wehen Wiesbaden)
Notable absentees
Fran Karacic (Brescia)
