Preston 2 Middlesbrough 2 (3-4 on penalties): Marcus Tavernier hits the spot for Tony Pulis in Carabao Cup
Ashley Fletcher and Marcus Tavernier's stunning strike drew Boro level after Callum Robinson and Dan Barkhuizen had given the hosts the lead
THE kids were alright for Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis — and especially Marcus Tavernier in this shootout thriller.
England Under-20 star Tavernier coolly slotted home what turned out to be the clinching penalty as Alex Neil’s men blew their chance of progress.
Getty Images
Getty Images
Tavernier had earlier delivered a screamer that drew the sides level to force the spot-kick drama.
Then he kept his nerve to get Middlesbrough’s fourth and deciding strike after Callum Robinson and Graham Burke fired their efforts high over the bar.
Pulis fielded a completely different team to the one that drew 0-0 at Swansea at the weekend and moved behind Championship leaders Leeds on goal difference.
NINE players who came through the Teessiders’ academy were named in the squad. Four of them started, including defender Nathan Wood, 16, who became the club’s youngest-ever player when he made his debut in the first-round victory over Notts County. The other six were all teenagers bar Harry Chapman, 20.
Getty
Rex Features
At a club that has spent over £60million in the past two years, it was testament to Pulis’ desire to build a bright future with home-grown talent.
What did not change was the playing style at the ground where, on New Year’s Day, he registered his first win as Riverside boss after replacing Garry Monk.
NO WAY JOSE Pogba set for January exit after latest Mourinho row
As direct as every Pulis side ever is, they were knocking at Preston’s door less than five minutes in. Tavernier, delivered from wide left and Paddy McNair forced a desperate parry from keeper Chris Maxwell.
Preston boss Neil did not have the luxury of being able to treat the tie as work experience for kids or to give fringe players some game time.
His Lilywhites sit at the opposite end of the table after three successive defeats so he fielded a strong side knowing a win would lift the mood.
Neil got the positive response he was looking for after that early scare.
Alan Browne darted clear to fire over the 27th-minute cross which was buried by Robinson.
Seven minutes later Boro were level as Ashley Fletcher claimed his third goal of his three Carabao Cup appearances this season. The ex-Manchester United academy player strode onto Lewis Wing’s clever through ball and rounded Maxwell before tucking away.
Preston picked themselves up as Ben Pearson forced keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos into a desperate block.
Tom Barkhuizen went closer still, slamming a fine right-footer onto the Greek’s right post.
At the other end, Fletcher’s weak header from six yards out was finger-tipped away by Maxwell. But only as far as Rudy Gestede, who had the goal at his mercy but still managed to head against the bar.
They were made to pay when Barkhuizen put Neil’s men ahead in the 66th minute.
The wide man let fly from fully 30 yards out on the left but Boro’s No 2 keeper failed to react until too late, the shot flying in off the inside of a post.
Once again, however, Pulis’ makeshift side fought back hard — and Tavernier produced the equaliser with the goal of the night on 69 minutes.
The youngster moved forward to blast into the net in front of his club’s 700 travelling fans.
And Tavernier, not that long later, was going to make sure that would happen again as he claimed spot-kick glory.