The Boro striker was an aerial colossus as well as a clinician up front versus Leicester City.
Middlesbrough’s 2-2 result on Saturday versus Leicester City was ‘Boro’s sixth draw already this term.
Leading 2-1 as the game entered stoppage time, the host were awarded a second, controversial spot kick and Islam Slimani stepped to snatch a late point.
Despite being denied a deserved three points at the King Power Stadium, the performance of Álvaro Negredo was hugely encouraging, with the Spaniard dominating the game at both ends of the pitch.
Middlesbrough’s Alvaro Negredo celebrates scoring their second goal
In recent weeks questions have been raised over the Valencia loanee, who has worked tirelessly but ultimately has delivered no finished product in the face of a lack of support, in a lone striking role.
On Saturday however, Negredo was finally able to cast off his shackles to score not only his first brace for Aitor Karanka’s side, but his first goal since the opening day of the season. His stats told the tale of a dominant performance versus the holders.
As per WhoScored, the 31 year-old had 51 touches during the game. His total was more than combined efforts of the host’s front line in Jamie Vardy, Islam Slimani and Shinji Okazaki.
Negredo almost demonstrated his lethal finishing ability. The Spaniard had just two shots during 90 minutes, however both were on target and both found the net; a 100% success rate.
Middlesbrough’s Alvaro Negredo celebrates scoring their second goal
Not only were the strikers cross-hairs finely tuned in Leicester, but Negredo portayed the sort of physical and aerial prowess that any classical Premier League striker would have been proud to boast.
Against Claudio Ranieri’s physical Foxes side, the Spaniard won a phenomenal 10 aerial duels for the visitors and made a trio of clearances also.
Alvaro Negredo was recruited by Karanka to be the bullish, hard-work and uncompromising centre-forward that Middlesbrough needed to stay in the English top-flight this term. At the King Power on Saturday, we saw his best.
Middlesbrough’s Alvaro Negredo with Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka
The performance of ‘Boro’s number ten should have been enough alone to garner all three points, so for eleven men who had not won in the month of November, their last minute misfortune will be a cruel blow to Karanka.
Before this weekend, there were few who doubted Negredo’s hunger. After this latest outing also, the Spaniard has made a statement of which he, his manager and the fans will be hoping to see more of this campaign.
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