Michael Carrick expressed his satisfaction with Middlesbrough’s ruthless performance in exploiting Dan Neil’s dismissal, emphasizing that he urged his players to step up their efforts after Sunderland was reduced to 10 men. Neil received a red card for dissent just before halftime during the Wear-Tees derby on Saturday. Following the break, Boro dominated the game, with goals from Sam Greenwood, Matt Crooks, Isaiah Jones, and Marcus Forss, securing their fourth consecutive victory.
Carrick was naturally pleased with the win, highlighting the effectiveness of his halftime message to his team. He stressed the importance of maintaining a strong mentality when playing with a numerical advantage, as it can be easy to become complacent. Carrick noted that his players embraced the challenge and worked even harder with the extra man, resulting in a commanding performance.
He commended their ability to keep possession, win back the ball quickly, and relieve pressure.
Regarding the red card decision, Carrick admitted he had no knowledge of the specific incident or what was said, but he acknowledged that they had to capitalize on the situation. Overall, Carrick was delighted with the outcome and praised his team’s performance against a strong opponent, acknowledging the challenges posed by playing against 10 men.