Will Lankshear comes to Middlesbrough & Kim Hellberg rescue after bold calls backfire

Substitute Will Lankshear inspired Middlesbrough to a 2-2 draw against Cardiff City after manager Kim Hellberg's initial team selection backfired. Boro trailed 2-0 at halftime following goals from Jack Moylan and Ollie Tanner after Hellberg chose to rest Lankshear and Sebastian Berhalter. Both players were introduced at the break, sparking an immediate revival as Tommy Conway pulled a goal back before Lankshear scored the equalizing goal.

Dominic Shaw argues that Hellberg's tactical setup and squad rotation over-complicated the contest and exposed Middlesbrough defensively. Cardiff were reduced to 10 men late in the match when Gabriel Osho received a straight red card for a foul on Lankshear, but the visitors held on for a point. Despite defensive concerns, the result extended Middlesbrough's unbeaten streak to nine matches.