Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg admitted Lincoln City were the better side during the opening 45 minutes at the Riverside, as he reflected on his side’s narrow 2-1 victory over the Imps.
City made an impressive start to life in the Championship and deservedly led after 12 minutes through former Middlesbrough man Adam Reach. The goal came at the end of a slick Lincoln move, with Freddie Draper and Tendayi Darikwa involved before Reach finished against his former club.
Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw’s side caused Middlesbrough problems throughout the first half with their pressing and aggression, preventing the hosts from settling into the contest and limiting a side expected to challenge towards the top end of the division.
That assessment was shared by Hellberg, who conceded that Lincoln had been the stronger side before the interval.
“First half, they were better than us,” said the Swedish boss. “I think it was a long time ago that the away team was better than us in the first half.
“They deserved to be ahead even if they didn’t create many chances. But they were good in the press, we struggled with our way of playing, we didn’t create much, so that was tough.”
It was significant praise for City given the size of the task facing them. Middlesbrough have invested heavily in their squad and are regarded as one of the stronger Championship sides, but for much of the first period it was the newly-promoted Imps dictating the nature of the contest.
Hellberg also accepted responsibility for the difficulties his side encountered, admitting his initial structure had not given his players the best platform to deal with Lincoln.
“I think, to be fair, I was not happy with my first half. My structure in the first half was not good enough, I should have helped the players better, so I think that’s on me a little bit and how clear I could have been because it also needs even more [clarity] when you have a lot of new players.
“That’s where I’m looking at myself and feeling disappointed, but I have an unbelievable squad of players and coaches that helped me and saved the day and won the game at the end.”
The contest changed after the break as Middlesbrough pushed City deeper and began to build sustained pressure around the visitors’ penalty area. Will Lankshear eventually levelled before producing the decisive moment deep into stoppage time, turning inside the Lincoln defence before finding the far corner for his second of the afternoon.
That second-half shift also mirrored Cohen’s assessment afterwards. The City joint head coach felt his side lost some of the aggression which had made them so effective before the break, allowing Middlesbrough to establish themselves closer to George Wickens’ goal.
Hellberg felt the increased intensity from his players, coupled with a lively Riverside crowd, was crucial in turning the game around.
“In the second half I think it’s more about credit to the players for coming up with the passion and the crowd together with them. This place was electric in the second half and we just ran and chased the ball and got it into play all the time.
“In the second half I just have to say thank you to the players because I think they did it together with the crowd, so that’s what it was about.”
Ultimately, Lincoln travelled home without a point after conceding in the 94th minute, but the comments from the opposition dugout underline just how encouraging their first Championship performance was.
For a side playing their first game at this level following promotion, City did not simply frustrate Middlesbrough or attempt to survive. For 45 minutes they imposed themselves on one of the division’s stronger sides, and even the manager standing in the opposite technical area was prepared to acknowledge they deserved their advantage.
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