North East | Rob Edwards starts Middlesbrough reign with a win

Middlesbrough 1 - 0 Swansea City

Rob Edwards began his Middlesbrough tenure with victory as a rare Dael Fry goal proved enough to edge past Swansea City.

Author | Ryan Gates

Stadium | Riverside Stadium

The Middlesbrough players try to score

The centre-back, captaining his side on the 10th anniversary of his debut, powered home a header from Morgan Whittaker’s corner early in the second half, outmuscling Josh Tymon and beating Lawrence Vigouroux from close range. It was just the third goal of Fry’s senior career in more than 270 appearances.

His strike decided a contest short on attacking quality, as Swansea suffered an opening-day defeat at the Riverside for the second successive season. Both sides worked hard but chances were scarce, with much of the match played in congested midfield areas.

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Before the breakthrough, Whittaker, facing his former club, came closest when his crisp 25-yard drive clipped the crossbar after a fingertip save from Vigouroux. Swansea’s best first-half opening saw Liam Cullen head straight at Sol Brynn, while Ronald’s curling effort drifted narrowly wide.

The main discussion points after the match

A fantastic display from the home fans

The match underlined how light both squads appear with just over three weeks left in the summer transfer window. Edwards and his opposite number Alan Sheehan are each seeking attacking reinforcements, and this display offered further proof of the need.

It was not a case of missed chances, more of chances never arriving. Defences dominated, and the match was ultimately decided by a single lapse at a set piece, leaving Sheehan frustrated in his first full season as head coach after his successful caretaker spell.

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For Edwards, who replaced Michael Carrick after Boro’s 10th-place finish last season, it was an ideal start. He acknowledged the home crowd at the final whistle, marking a winning opening to his time on Teesside.

Boro have signed only three players so far this summer, while Swansea have brought in six, plus Melker Widell whose arrival was agreed in January, but both clubs still appear to have significant business ahead.