Jordan Hugill scored his first league goals for Middlesbrough against Wigan on Saturday afternoon, scoring both goals in the 2-0 win at The Riverside.
With referee Darren England pointing to the spot in the first half, there was deliberation which Middlesbrough player would take the penalty. Grant Leadbitter, the captain and designated penalty taker wasn’t on the pitch, and the likes of Stewart Downing and Martin Braithwaite fancied their chances.
“I was thinking, ‘I’ll just get it and whack it in the net’,” said Downing in an interview which appeared on The Northern Echo. “But then Jordan stepped forward and I thought, ‘You know what, Jordan needs a goal’. He was playing well, and he fancied it.”
Up stepped Hugill, who placed the ball into the middle of the goal to open his account for the Teessiders in the Championship, and just like London buses, along came another soon after – lashing the ball into the roof of the net on the half-volley.
“I remember him playing here last season for Preston, when we were under Garry Monk, and I thought he was very, very good that day,” said Downing. “He held the ball up, he was their focal point, and he made it very difficult for us.
“When he came, I thought, ‘If we can get him up to speed and in that form, we’ve got a player’. I think the pleasing thing is he’s got a goal. That’s off his back now, so he can get on with things.
“He looked really confident after that, some of the flicks and first time lay-offs were really good. I’m pleased for him. He’s missed a lot of football. He’s gone to West Ham in January and not played. He didn’t do a lot in pre-season, and maybe his confidence took a bit of a dent because he wasn’t really in their plans.
“That can be hard for a player, but I think since he’s come here, the manager has put his arm around him and told him how good he’ll be. The really pleasing thing is he’s got a goal, and hopefully he can have a run for us now.”
