Middlesbrough keep finding ways not to win games they should. This time they threw away a three-goal lead to only draw 3-3 with Sheffield Wednesday.

In control and looking back to their best in the first half, an early Ben Doak goal was followed by a Finn Azaz double as Michael Carrick’s side raced into a commanding lead. But their mental frailties struck again in a shambolic start to the second half.

Within 16 minutes of the restart, a shock capitulation saw Boro pegged back to 3-3, with Rav van den Berg sent off and Sol Brynn injured. Here’s how the Boro players rated after a game that’s hard to comprehend.

Sol Brynn - 7

Brynn was having a really commanding and composed game, with little but catching crosses to do in the first half. The second goal sneaked past him at the front post, albeit after two deflections on the way. He then made a huge double-save that ultimately resulted in injury, and proved in vain in the end. He could be a big miss.

Anfernee Dijksteel - 5

Like Boro in general, he was really solid in the first half, but lost a grip of the game in the second half. Couldn’t keep up with Ingelsson for the first,though he was a little unfortunate with the deflection for the second.

Rav van den Berg - 5

Was having a solid game before the second half capitulation. Already on a yellow, it looked soft when he fouled Gassama on the way through and was given his marching orders at a time Boro were needing to regain control after a poor start to the second half.

Dael Fry - 6

Battled hard to help grind out a point for his side. On his return to the side, he’d been rarely tested in the first half, but looked edgy at the start of the second as Boro collapsed.

Neto Borges - 6

Was having one of his best games in a Boro shirt first half, interestingly inverting into a central position often. He set up the second goal too. But the first goal comes as he’s caught out of position and then he was initially beaten by the Van den Berg red.

Dan Barlaser - 5

Was solid without being spectacular in the first half, as he just kept it simple and allowed others to shine around him. When Boro lose control in games, he’s not a player who will help wrestle it back. He’s too easy to bypass.

Hayden Hackney - 6

Hackney was one of Boro’s most positive players throughout and played big hands in Boro’s first and third goals, while his positive driving runs had Boro well in control. But, as Boro struggled for control at the start of the second half, he was guilty of being overly casual and not clearing his lines for Sheffield Wednesday’s second goal.

Ben Doak - 7

Sacrificed as Boro went down to ten men, in order to get the more defensively-minded Isaiah Jones on. In the first half, he looked back to his incisive best - scoring the first and playing a big role in the third.

Finn Azaz - 8

Sacrificed after the red card to get Matt Clarke on, Azaz enjoyed a brilliant first half as he grabbed an assist and two goals. He has an impressive eight goals and nine assists now this season.

Delano Burgzorg - 7

It was a really bright return to the side for Burgzorg, who was a big threat throughout with his excellent dribbling. Even when down to ten men, he helped Boro have a big counter-attacking threat and worked hard throughout.

Tommy Conway - 6

Lasted only eight minutes before picking up a concerning injury. It was long enough to have an impact in the game as his clever run off the last shoulder ultimately opened things up for Boro.

Substitutions

Emmanuel Latte Lath (For Conway, 8’) - 7 - One of the hardest performances to analyse because Latte Lath came of the bench and was lively to play a big hand in Boro’s second and third goals. But he wasted a great opportunity at the start of the second half to play in Doak for 4-0 before Sheffield Wednesday then broke for their first. Having said that, at 3-3, he chased all the back from one box to the other to make a huge last-ditch tackle after he miss-hit a shot to set off the counter.

Tom Glover (For Brynn, 59’) - 6 - First action was to pick the ball out of his net. Otherwise did what was required to help Boro seal the win, though there were a couple of time he might have showed more intent with quicker or better distribution to set off counters.

Matt Clarke (For Azaz, 59’) - 6 - Coming on in difficult circumstances, he helped Boro re-solidify after the equaliser as he the visitors had limited chances to win the game despite the man advantage.

Isaiah Jones (For Doak, 59’) - 6 - Brought on for his extra defensive awareness after Boro went to ten men and he did his job. He also almost got in behind for a Boro winner but just couldn’t find enough pace to race clear before his shot from distance lacked the power to beat the keeper.

Lukas Engel (For Borges, 90’) - N/A