6 Brynn: Very little to do, with Swansea only managing one shot on target, but this was still a composed and confident first outing of the season for the Teessider.
7 Ayling: A surprise selection but Ayling took his chance with an assured showing on the right of the back three.
8 Fry: Captain for the day, Fry was key to Boro’s clean sheet and headed what proved to be the winner. The perfect start to what Fry will be hoping is a big season.
7 Jones: Moved from the right to the left of the back three with little fuss. Solid full debut for the new recruit.
7 Brittain: Unsurprisingly selected, despite only arriving five days before the new season. Displayed some promising flashes of why he’ll be the ideal fit for Edwards’ system this season.
7 Morris: Tenacious throughout and helped Boro gain and keep control in the second half. Good display.
7 Hackney: Back in the side and showed no signs of any recent transfer uncertainty affecting him. Final product wasn’t always up to scratch but positive throughout and crunched into a couple of challenges.
8 Silvera: Another really bright showing down the left side from the surprise package of the summer. Full of energy and positive intent throughout. Deserved his starting spot and will keep it for next week’s game at Millwall.
7 Whittaker: Spoke ahead of the game about how this season feels like a fresh start at Boro, and showed why there’s a feeling he’ll play a starring role. Crunched the bar with first half strike and delivered the cross that led to winner.
6 Burgzorg: Worked hard on the left side of the attack without anything falling for him in the box. Linked up well with Silvera.
6 Conway: Worked hard up-front without really having any opportunity to get off the mark for the season.
Substitutes:
Kante 7 (for Burgzorg, 71): Boro’s new fan favourite. Only played 20 minutes but made his mark. His every touch was cheered by supporters.
Borges (for Brittain, 82): N/A
Forss (for Conway, 88): N/A
Subs not used: Glover, Barlaser, Gilbert, McCabe, Finch, McCormick
SWANSEA: Vigouroux; Key, Cabango (Casey, 75) Burgess, Tymon; Fulton, Galbraith (Vipotnik, 63), Franco; Ronald (Widell, 71), Eom (Inoussa, 63), Cullen.
SUBS NOT USED: Fisher, Wales, Cooper, Parker, Congreve.
Man of the Match: Fry. Key to the cleansheet and the matchwinner, all while wearing the captain’s armband.
