Middlesbrough coach praises Arsenal loanee Balogun after cheeky backheel assist

Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun assisted in back-to-back home games as Middlesbrough thrashed Derby County 4-1 at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, February 12.

A minute to go, the England U21 international of Nigerian descent made something out of nothing, pinching the ball in the area and his cheeky backheel into the six-yard box that outfoxed two opponents was converted by Duncan Watmore.

Balogun made his full Championship debut against the Rams after four previous appearances off the bench.

The Hale End Academy graduate was given a warm reception by Middlesbrough supporters as he went off the pitch in stoppage time.

Boro boss Chris Wilder singled out the Anglo-American-Nigerian striker for praise after his eye-catching performance against the Rams.

"I thought they’d gas themselves out after about 60 or 70 minutes and Azza [Aaron Connolly] and Flo [Folarin Balogun] kept going because they got that game under their belt. I’m delighted with them two.

"At the top of the pitch, you have to start the press and you want them to run forward. Both were really bright and they were a constant threat all afternoon for the centre-halves.

"It was good, they got hold of the ball. Their work rate was fabulous and I wanted to bring them off at the end and I know what sort of reception they would have got."