Three things we learnt from Middlesbrough’s 1-1 draw with Stoke City

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The Beast is back?

Alvaro Negredo’s goal means he has scored with his first shot in the Premier League for both of his clubs in England, Manchester City and Middlesbrough. The Spaniard started well in his career in England with Manchester City and became was adhered to by City supporters whom dubbed the forward “the Beast”, before eventually falling down the pecking order at the Etihad and finding himself back in Spain with Valencia.

Now he is back in the top-tier in England with a point to prove on loan from the La Liga club, and with a platform of first-team football, and the omens for Middlesbrough fans are good given this performance. He rose well to take his goal, forcing the ball over the line with a combination of his head and shoulder to get the better of veteran goalkeeper Shay Given who was in for the injured Jack Butland.

Negredo notched nine Premier League goals during his Manchester City days, but with regular football he may just find himself in amongst the goals more regularly on Teeside. An opening day strike against a Stoke side known for its solidity is encouraging, but he must maintain his consistency, an issue which blighted his career at the Etihad. Though with the creative presence of Ramirez behind him, he’ll most certainly be getting the service.