In a closely contested Championship match, Middlesbrough secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Swansea City, with the decisive goal scored shortly after the second half began. Middlesbrough's ability to capitalize on a crucial moment highlighted their efficiency in front of goal, despite an overall balanced performance from both sides. Swansea City, although maintaining a strong defensive line, struggled to convert their opportunities into tangible threats, which ultimately contributed to their defeat.

Middlesbrough's strategic advantage was underscored by their superior corner kick count, registering seven compared to Swansea's two. This dominance in set-piece opportunities allowed them to sustain attacking pressure. Swansea's higher number of offsides, totaling six, indicates their inability to effectively time their forward runs and adapt to Middlesbrough's defensive structure, which thwarted potential breakthroughs.

Discipline issues for Swansea were glaring, as evidenced by their accumulation of five yellow cards. This aggressive approach disrupted their rhythm, especially in the second half when they received three additional yellow cards. In contrast, Middlesbrough maintained composure with only two yellow cards, which allowed them to control the game's tempo better. The persistent fouling from Swansea disrupted their own gameplay more than it hindered Middlesbrough, highlighting a misjudgment in tactical aggression.

Overall, Middlesbrough's ability to maintain composure and effectively utilize set-pieces, coupled with Swansea's lack of discipline and timing in attacks, were critical factors in determining the outcome of this tightly matched contest. Swansea's inability to capitalize on limited chances underscored their offensive challenges, leaving them unable to recover from Middlesbrough's solitary strike.

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