Rigo was a cut above when he emerged from the bench

STOKE City were grateful to get to halftime at 0-0 at Middlesbrough but were then kicking themselves not to win it in the second half.

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They gave the early Championship leaders a good game on their own turf to underline their own status in the division this season.

Here are the talking points from the Riverside Stadium.

TOMAS RIGO GRABS GAME BY SCRUFF OF THE NECK

Hayden Hackney has been luring Premier League scouts to Teesside for a while and he was helping Middlesbrough stay on top in the first half, dictating things from the middle of midfield.

But Tomas Rigo grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck when he was introduced at halftime with an excellent performance, full of energy and positivity.

The 23-year-old was passing, shooting, tackling, manoeuvring Stoke into dangerous positions and pinning Boro back. He was kicking himself not to score what probably would have been the winner but the way he saw what was happening and sprinted forward to receive the ball from Sorba Thomas bodes well for Stoke in the long-term.