Three things we learnt from West Ham’s vital draw with Middlesbrough

Add as preferred source on Google

Middlesbrough need to make more of their possession

Despite dominating possession with 61% of the ball on Saturday afternoon at the London Stadium, Aitor Karanka’s side failed to convert that possession into chances, shots or goals, as the shares were spoiled despite Christian Stuani’s opener just after the break gave them the lead.

Embed from Getty Images

With only six shots, and only two of them on target, they registered less than half of the number of efforts on goal that the Hammers managed despite having less of the ball. Even more concerningly, they created just five chances, compared to the thirteen created by Slaven Bilic’s team.

In the cut throat world of the Premier League, Boro have to learn to make the most of their possession if they are to score the goals to earn the points to survive. Currently only two points clear of the relegation zone, the Riverside outfit have been fortunate to only play two of the top seven in that time and will need to step things up in the remaining 31 games.