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MIDDLESBROUGH v CRYSTAL PALACE FULL TIME REPORT
As expected and rightly so, Steve McClaren fielded a close to full strength side. Crystal Palace were expected to be no pushovers but Boro were expected to progress to the quarter-finals.
The tie will be decided on the night with extra time and penalties scheduled, if required.
Schwarzer, Queudrue, Ehiogu, Southgate, Parnaby, Nemeth, Boateng, Rochemback, Doriva, Hasselbaink, Viduka
Jones, Pogatetz, Bates, Maccarone, Yakubu
THE FIRST HALF
Are you hungry? Hungry for more success in the Carling Cup. The feeling as the game kicked off was that we can win this trophy again and the team seemed to be hungry from the off.
Mark Viduka nearly gave us the lead after five minutes as he intertwined well with JFH to produce a good chance that the keeper gathered. Yakubu's our top scorer but The V-Bomber and Jimmy are our top strike pairing.
Skippy showed his mettle at the other end two minutes later as he stretched and thankfully got a glove to Andy Johnson's cleverly worked shot. Johnson is a Premiership striker playing for a Championship club.
He seemed to have the ability to drag the Boro backline with him as he launched himself forward and he had already won four corners after only ten minutes.
From the touchline, Steve Round urged the Boro defence to play with more urgency as Viduka teed a free-kick into the Palace box. Boro continued to pass the ball in midfield as we searched for opportunities to find Viduka in the area.
Boro looked more assured as the game drew on and it was clear that the way to win this game was to stop Andy Johnson by keeping the ball in the Palace half.
The mid-way point of the first-half passed with the game short on clear cut chances but not on entertainment. And it certainly had all the feel of an important cup-tie with both teams clearly wanting to go further in this great competition.
Palace's confidence of doing just that was increased in thirty-one minutes when Boro's defence went to pot again and Macken found an easy way through, got his cross in and somehow, Franck managed to put the ball past Skippy and open the scoresheet with an own goal.
MIDDLESBROUGH 0 CRYSTAL PALACE 1 (Queudrue og 31)
Boro did not let the setback of the goal distract them as the team continued to try to get forward at any half opportunity. Jimmy mis-hit a clear chance and Mark could have made more from another that drifted past him rather than being snapped up with both hands. Or one foot...
Boro were in the right mood as they never became discouraged and kept battling but Speroni was to deny Viduka with a Premiership quality save that had The V-Bomber wondering just how we had stayed behind.
More chances were to come in this busy period of the half and the referee proved that he was not a 'homer' as he clattered into Geroge Boateng, floored our midfield general and booked himself for his troubles. A sending off would have seen fairer justice done.
But it was not the referee's fault that Boro were behind at the break, despite his clumsiness. It was our own fault and it was down to us to put it right in the second half.
FIRST HALF FAN REACTION
"I think we'll pull this back with a bit of luck. We're hungry enough but we need a bit more attention to detail."
Lillibet M
THE SECOND HALF
Boro made no changes for the second half but Palace withdrew Andy Johnson. We were happy about that.
The action had started quickly and furiously as both sides went for the goal and continued to test the oppositon defence. Six minutes of fast paced probing produced nothing but sometimes, when luck is beyond you, you need to call in a super-hero.
He waited until the time was right. No rush, no panic, just calm, controlled artistry as he collected in a half position, turned and took his aggression out on the ball, hitting the sweetest volley into the top corner, giving the keeper not a chance in hell. He is the V-Bomber and he will be standing next to John Hickton in the Boro hall-of-fame if he ever has to retire.
MIDDLESBROUGH 1 CRYSTAL PALACE 1 (Viduka 52)
He turned provider just three minutes later as he played The Lizard through. No messing about here - The Lizard reminded us all that his natural position is striker as he metaphorially right-hooked the keeper and made the top of the net ripple with the goal that finally gave Boro a deserved lead.
MIDDLESBROUGH 2 CRYSTAL PALACE 1 (Nemeth 55)
It could have been three several times as Palace were clearly rattled by our two goals, as any team would have been. The Lizard was actually withdrawn just after his superb goal but it was understandable when you consider quotas and averages. He was replaced by Mad Dog Pogatetz and Jimmy was replaced by Hail Massimo very shortly afterwards.
Palace were rattled but had by no means given up the fight. They were more than capable of finding a breakthrough and nearly did so on a couple of occasions. But Boro were more than able to deal with their threat.
News arrived in of Alkmaar's two goal win over LITEX LOVECH and it dawned that we would need at least a four goal win against Litecks to win the UEFA Cup group and get the easier draw for the last thirty-two knockout round. Finish second and we get a Champion's league drop-out. The Carling Cup became even more defined as the easiest route to Europe.
But the players obviously wouldn't have known that and so it shouldn't have affected their play. Neither would the breaking news that our Geordie brethren had been eliminated at the hands of Wigan. But they wouldn't be too worried as this the Mickey Mouse Cup, as they were so very fond of telling us when we won it.
INTO THE RED ZONE
Boro are adept at turning in professional performances in cup ties and this was no different. We controlled the pace and flow in the last ten minutes and never looked like conceding an equaliser, as we kept Palace at bay with kid gloves.
Has the 2005/06 Carling Cup got Boro's name on it? Ask me in early March. I could well be able to give you a positive answer...
FULL TIME FAN REACTION
"Get in you bastards. We're on the way and I've no nails left after that..."
Fiddler On The Smog
Final Whistle: 2150 - Report Online: 2155
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