Middlesbrough vs Huddersfield

The unusual format — two 60-minute halves, a structure common in behind-closed-doors pre-season fixtures — gave both managers scope to rotate heavily.

Middlesbrough fielded a strong first XI in the opening period. Sol Brynn started in goal behind a back four of Luke Ayling, Adilson Malanda, Neto Borges and Callum Brittain. Aidan Morris and Leo Castledine anchored midfield, with Jeremy Sarmiento and Morgan Whittaker wide of David Strelec. New signing Will Lankshear made his first appearance in a Boro shirt, adding an attacking focal point.

The early balance was even. Huddersfield, despite fatigue from a week that included wins over Oldham Athletic and Fleetwood Town, competed well. David Kasumu opened the scoring for the visitors — his drive from midfield catching out the Boro backline.

Middlesbrough responded before the break. Morgan Whittaker, lively on the right flank, scored his first goal of pre-season to level the scores at 1-1. The Swansea City loanee has been one of the brighter performers in Boro's attacking unit this summer.

The second 60-minute period saw wholesale changes. Carrick introduced fringe senior players and U21s, while Huddersfield's depth — and their match sharpness from five games in quick succession — began to show.

Trialist Jahkyah Ebanks-Blake put Huddersfield ahead, capitalising on the disjointed rhythm of a much-changed Boro defence. Jamie Spencer added a third late on, sealing a 3-1 win that looked comfortable on the balance of the second half.

The switch between the two 60-minute halves was decisive. Middlesbrough's first XI had competed on level terms; the second-string XI struggled to find the same cohesion. Huddersfield, already conditioned by a gruelling schedule, adapted more quickly to the change in personnel and took control. The Terriers won the second period 2-0, and the game was effectively settled by the hour mark of the second half.

David Kasumu (Huddersfield) — Player of the match. The midfielder's goal set the tone and his energy in the middle of the park stood out against a Boro midfield that included the technically gifted Castledine and Morris. Kasumu's pressing and transitional work gave Huddersfield a platform.

Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough). The winger's equaliser was his first of pre-season. He looked the most likely Boro player to create something in the final third, showing sharp movement off the right flank.

Will Lankshear (Middlesbrough). The new signing got his first minutes in a Boro shirt. Limited service in the second half made it a quiet debut, but involvement in pre-season minutes is a positive step ahead of the competitive opener.

Jahkyah Ebanks-Blake (Huddersfield trialist). The academy trialist scored what proved to be the winner. A name to monitor for Huddersfield supporters ahead of the League One campaign.

Pre-season friendly stats are rarely published, but the 2x60-minute format tells a clear story. Both sides shared the first period evenly at 1-1. The second period was Huddersfield's 2-0. Middlesbrough's winless pre-season run now stands at three games (draws with SC Farense and Celtic, followed by this defeat). Huddersfield, by contrast, have won two in two days, having beaten Oldham Athletic 3-1 on 24 July.

Middlesbrough remain without a pre-season victory ahead of their final friendly against Espanyol at the Riverside Stadium. Carrick's side then open their competitive season in the Carabao Cup against Wrexham on 7 August — a fixture that will demand sharper defensive organisation than Boro showed in the second period here.

The absentee list — Alfie Jones, Riley McGree, Tommy Conway and Kyle Joseph all recovering from injury — explains some of the disjointedness, but Carrick will want his first-choice XI to build more control before the season starts.

For Huddersfield, the win extends a productive pre-season block. The Terriers are preparing for League One 2026/27 and have used their schedule intelligently, giving minutes to senior players, trialists and academy prospects alike. Ebanks-Blake's goal will be particularly noted by the coaching staff.

A pre-season friendly played under unusual conditions, but the pattern was revealing. Huddersfield's match sharpness outweighed Middlesbrough's individual quality in the second period. Carrick's side need to find cohesion quickly, with a proper test against Espanyol up next before the Wrexham cup tie. For the Terriers, the fitness base and depth look promising ahead of League One.