Blackburn Rovers once again proved awkward visitors to the Riverside as they held promotion-chasing Middlesbrough to a goalless draw that continued the home side's festive stumble. Kim Hellberg's team remain second in the Championship but, having failed to score for a second successive game after their 2-0 defeat at Bristol City, they lost further ground on Coventry and stretched their winless run against Rovers on Teesside to 12 home matches in all competitions over a 13-year period.
While Middlesbrough began positively and struck the inside of the post through Morgan Whittaker, it was Valerien Ismael's improving Blackburn who grew stronger as the afternoon wore on. Yuki Ohashi wasted a one-on-one chance before the break and the visitors fashioned the clearer openings in a disjointed second half, but neither side was able to find the necessary composure in front of goal as Boro's defensive injuries mounted and another Riverside meeting between these clubs ended in frustration for the home support.
Whittaker Off Colour as Bright Start Goes Unrewarded
The Teessiders started with the urgency of a side keen to respond to their pre-Christmas reverse, pinning Blackburn back and carving out the first real chances. In the ninth minute Whittaker, usually so clinical since his summer arrival, cut inside and drove goalwards, only for former Middlesbrough goalkeeper Aynsley Pears to make a routine save, and the forward later dragged another effort wide when well placed as the hosts tried to seize control early on.