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PORTSMOUTH AWAY 1-2-05
This is a poignant game for us because the last time we played at Fratton Park, the idea for this very website was born, on the train from Waterloo to Fratton. We got slaughtered 5-1 that day. Can we gain revenge tonight?
Schwarzer, Reiziger, Southgate, Cooper, Queudrue, Morrison, Parlour, Zenden, Downing, Hasselbaink, Christie
Nash, Graham, McMahon, Job, Doriva
There's always a cliche kicking around about dark, cold and rainy February nights at places like Fratton Park. But tonight was no cliche because Boro were fighting to save their season.
It was like having a new signing in the team with Malcolm Christie starting his first Premier League game since October 2003. The pre match expectation on his shoulders was immense.
Portsmouth, on the back of their FA Cup defeat to neighbours Southampton, started the brighter of the two teams with five shots to Boro's one in the first fifteen minutes. None were too threatening though and all were dealt with easily. At the other end, we seemed reluctant...
Both teams struggled to keep possession, however Yakubu threatened to take advantage of a shaky Boro and Skippy was forced into making two good saves as we lost possession easily in midfield.
Fan Reaction: It's looking suspiciously like we've made one of our sloppy starts. Get a move on!!
A couple of chances for Boro to open the scoring presented themselves with Christie positioning himself well and looking for a layoff from Downing. But Boro nearly went behind through an own goal when the defence fumbled it and Skippy failed to collect.
Boro were forced into a change on the half hour when Colin Cooper was grounded. What seemed like a badly twisted ankle meant that Super Coops would play no further part. On came Tony McMahon in the right back position with Reiziger moving into the middle...
Fan Reaction: It is going a bit quick - something will give soon
Boro were lucky not to have a penalty given against them when Reiziger mistimed a tackle on Yakubu but the referee let the incident go and Boro breathed again.
And just as we were looking shaky with Portsmouth upping the tempo, Ray Parlour found himself with a shooting opportunity which the keeper fumbled. Malcolm Christie was there to mop up the rebound and made no mistake. Thirty five minutes gone, 1-0 Boro and now we had the upper hand.
Fan Reaction: I really thought I was going to faint cos I thought they would get the first goal! WELCOME BACK CHRISTIE!!!!!!!!
Pompey came right back at us and once again, Skippy was forced into action with two saves from Fuller. No such luck against Matthew Taylor as his right footed shot gave our goalie no chance at all and Pompey had their equaliser. Now it was game on with five minutes to go until half time.
Yakubu blasted a left footed shot just wide which had us beaten all the way. It was now becoming essential that we stop the big striker who was running our defence ragged.
No further damage was inflicted as Boro regrouped for a half time rethink and it has to be said that this game was there to be won for either team.
Fan Reaction: They are sounding dangerous whenever Fuller and Yakubu get near the ball... we need better defending and more purpose with the passing in the final third...
The second half started tentatively but just a few minutes in, Reiziger showed a lack of awareness when faced with a one on one but Schwarzer was there to rescue us, yet again. Not long after that, Berger won another chance but his shot hit the side netting.
Fan Reaction: Possession seems to be better this half - quality will out!
Boro were under the cosh now and Pompey made the pressure pay in the 57th minute when Fuller went on a surging run and got a pass in to Yakubu who faced what seemed like an impossible angle. The ball bobbled into the box and Franck Queudrue completely mis-hit his attempted clearance. Boro were behind through an own goal.
Fan Reaction: We CANNOT be beaten by Pompey on a wet Tuesday in Feb - that's old Boro style. There's life in us yet! (i hope)
Boro were frustrated now and were in danger of losing their shape and balance. Malcolm Christie was taken off in the 65th mimnute and was replaced by Joseph Job. Boro needed a goal and at this stage, it looked as though it was going to be hard to come by...
Going into the final twenty minutes, Boro regained their composure and started to attack with more conviction. Morrison went close with a skimming shot and that was the catalyst for several attacking waves which unfortunately came to nothing.
With ten minutes to go, Danny Graham entered the fray replacing Tony McMahon, himself a substitute. This left us with just three at the back and sent a clear signal that we were out to get something from this game. Graham helped to keep the pressure on, winning a throw-in and then a corner, which yet again made the Pompey keeper look unsure.
Fan Reaction: Just launch yerselves at it - 6 mins to go - We need SOMETHING - RED ARMY!
Still the pressure came and red shirts poured forward in search of the elusive equaliser as Steve McClaren gesticulated on the touchline. We must have been in the 'red zone'...
Fan Reaction: I somehow don't feel another goal in this match but I want to proved wrong - as long as it's us.
Franck Q was making amends for his earlier own goal and did well to win a corner which left Schwarzer alone in the opposing half. Everybody's commitment was tremendous at this stage and Ray Parlour showed a little too much ambition with a crunching tackle on Cisse that earned him a yellow card. All in the name of the cause though...
It allowed Pompey to go forward though and of the four minutes of extra time that were added on, most were wasted by Pompey playing out time on the corner flag.
Boro were beaten again and are still to find their first Premiership win of 2005. But the conviction was there tonight and we were very unlucky not to get a point.
It's a long haul back to the north-east after a defeat but we can be assured that Boro made the effort tonight and it won't be too long before the points start coming again.
BACK TO 2004/05 REPORTS INDEX
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