Middlesbrough under-18s slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat against their Manchester City counterparts in the Premier League Cup final on Thursday night.
City took the lead just after half time and held on to secure the silverware, but the Boro youngsters acquitted themselves brilliantly and were perhaps the better side over the course of the 90 minutes.
A strong attendance turned out at the Riverside Stadium to cheer on the youth outfit and Middlesbrough responded to this support with some confident and aggressive attacking play. Ultimately, though, they couldn’t break the deadlock and the visitors prevailed.
First-team manager Tony Pulis may well have been impressed with a number of the young prospects’ displays and the match indicated that Boro have some exciting talents currently rising through the ranks.
They may have missed out on this trophy but the under-18s can be proud of what they achieved in the tournament.
After the match, plenty of Boro fans took to Twitter to react to the game…
Some of the lads playing were decent. Some could break into the first team. They did well to get there. UTB
— JosephCoombs2 (@Coombs2Joseph) 14 March 2019
Well done lads UTB
— Nigel Baker (@NigelBa06173187) 14 March 2019
Boro under 18s should be very proud well done lads pic.twitter.com/ehNeDGsWC9
— Elizabeth Bowes (@BowesElizabeth1) 14 March 2019
All the lads should be proud of their accomplishments, it’s no easy feat getting to the final of the cup, losing to a team like Man City isn’t the end, they are a great side and our lads will come back fighting again #UTB
— Danny Reed (@reedoishere) 14 March 2019
The lads can hold their heads up, they put on a fine show and did the club proud !
— Allan Green (@AllanJGreen) 14 March 2019
All the lads should be proud off their selfs UTB
— Leo (@Leo_Broadley104) 14 March 2019
Totally mate agree with you well done lads
— wllow (@nmw1964) 14 March 2019