DAILY MIRROR 19.08.2019
(^16) mirror.co.uk/sport/football
DM1ST
GRADY
POURS
IT ON
BLACKBURN 1
Graham 25 pen
MIDDLESBROUGH 0
BY ELIZABETH BYRNES
GREG CUNNINGHAM hopes this
victory can kickstart both his and
Blackburn’s seasons.
A 25th-minute penalty from
Danny Graham (above) separated
the sides in a game of few chances
which saw Marcus Browne hit a
post for Middlesbrough as Rovers
claimed their first points this term.
It was Cunningham’s league
debut – after he made his first
appearance in the midweek
League Cup win over Oldham –
following his season-long loan
from Cardiff on deadline day.
The defender said: “You just
want to get off the mark as soon
as possible. The longer it goes on
the tougher it gets. We showed
what class we have and we look
forward to Tuesday against Hull
and getting another win.
“It has been a frustrating last
year for me and I just want to play
football. I’ve come to play games
and do what I can for this club.
“I just have to keep my
performances high and it’s
important now I get my recovery
in and get some good food into
me and be ready for Tuesday.”
The left-back added: “It just
shows what is in that dressing
room. As much as talent everyone
has got heart, grit and fight and
that is needed in this league –
especially when the games come
think and fast.”
Boro have just one point after
three games ahead of tomorrow’s
home clash with Wigan.
Boss Jonathan Woodgate said:
“It’s about being brave and getting
on the ball and if you give it away
can you get back on them?
“Can you go again after making
a mistake? How brave are my
players under intense pressure?”
GREG’S HAPPY
TO FINALLY BE
IN THE BLACK
MOTM DANNY GRAHAM (BLACKBURN)
BLACKBURN: Walton 7, Bennett 7,
Lenihan 7, Williams 7, Cunningham 7,
Travis 7, Johnson 6, Gallagher 8,
Dack 7 (Buckley 76, 6), Downing 7
(Rothwell 76, 6), Graham 8
(Armstrong 71, 6)
BORO: Randolph 6, Dijksteel 5
(Tavernier 61, 6), Ayala 6, Shotton 6,
Friend 6 (Walker 83, 5), Howson 6,
McNair 6, Wing 6, Johnson 6
(Browne 70, 6), Assombalonga 6,
Fletcher 6
REFEREE: Jarred Gillett: AT T: 14,012
IN ASSOCIATION
WITH
BAG MAN
Diangana smashes
home the first of
his two goals
been in the Premier League
very recently, and for spells in
each game we have been the
better team,” said the 29-year-
old.
“We have shown enough in
three very tough games with
some of the football and our
performances that we have
absolutely nothing to fear in
this league.”
current West Ham chief, the
England Under-20 interna-
tional is also benefitting from
previous Hammers boss Bilic
(inset with Diangana).
“For me it’s important he
believes in me. To give back to
him is massive for me,” he said.
“He’s a very nice person and
a very good coach. He’s always
helping me with my game.”
Luton, meanwhile, have
taken just one point from a
possible nine as they adapt to
their first year in the Champi-
onship since 2006-07.
But midfielder Jacob Butter-
field is convinced the Hatters
have enough to cope.
“In all three league games
we’ve played against some big
clubs (Middlesbrough, Cardiff
and West Brom) who have all
come true playing in the Pre-
mier League. It was my first
season, so I learned a lot.
“Now, with that experience,
I want to show what I can do
and hopefully one day break
into that team.
“But first I want to
win as many games
as possible here,
and hopefully
promotion.”
Harry Cor-
nick headed
the Hatters into
a 15th-minute
lead, but Dian-
gana equalised with
a low drive three min-
utes after the break, then
headed in Filip Krovinovic’s
deflected shot on 51 minutes.
After being guided by the
gaining a regular place at the
London Stadium.
And he will wow the Chil-
ean if his Championship debut
is anything to go by.
Diangana came off the
bench to score twice in four
minutes with his first
senior goals.
“Pellegrini said
he wants me to
do well and
that he’s watch-
ing me and
monitoring me,”
said Diangana.
“He’s an amaz-
ing coach and his
one-to-ones are very
good. He gets into detail, tells
you where to go and is a very
good manager.
“For me it was a dream
I’ll Hammer in goals to impress Pellegrini, says Diangana
BY TIM NASH
ON-LOAN West Ham
whizzkid Grady Diangana
has been to Pel and back.
The 21-year-old wideman
made 17 Premier League
appearances for the Hammers
last season but was sent on a
season-long loan to West
Brom to get experience.
Now he wants to repay
Hammers chief Manuel Pel-
legrini, and his predecessor,
new Baggies boss Slaven Bilic,
by winning promotion and
LUTON 1
Cornick 15
WEST BROM 2
Diangana 48, 51
MOTM GRADY DIANGANA (WEST BROM)
LUTON: Sluga 7, Cranie 7, Pearson
6, Bradley 6, Potts 6, Mpanzu 6
(Shinnie 75, 5), Butterfield 7,
Tunnicliffe 6, Cornick 7 (Brown 53,
6), Collins 6, McManaman 6
(LuaLua 53, 6)
WEST BROM: Johnstone 7,
Ferguson 6, Bartley 6, Ajayi 6,
Gibbs 6, Livermore 7, Sawyers 7,
Phillips 5 (Pereira 74, 5),
Krovinovic 6, Edwards 7
(Diangana 46, 8), Zohore 5
(Austin 80, 5)
into that tea
“But
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twice in four
isfirst
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o
az-
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re very
49% POSSESSION 51%
4 SHOTS ON TARGET 3
1 SHOTS OFF TARGET 9
(^4) CORNERS 8
1 OFFSIDE 1
10 FOULS 6
0 2 CARDS 0 0
MATCH STATS
REF: Andy Woolmer ATT: 10,059