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MIDDLESBROUGH v WEST BROM MATCH REPORT
Despite serious doubts about whether Mark Schwarzer would make the starting line-up, he came through his late fitness test and took his place in the team again.
Mark Viduka started up front with Yakubu and Steve Mc reverted to 5-3-2 for the first game of his new contract period. Expectation was high on Teesside as we looked to emulate the thrashing that we gave to Robbo's charges last season.
A period of silence for the still unnamed Boro fan who was tragically killed in Amsterdam on Friday, and for legend George Best was impeccably observed.
Schwarzer, Pogatetz, Southgate, Riggott, Queudrue (Nemeth 45), Parnaby, Morrison (Doriva 79), Rochemback, Boateng, Viduka (Hasselbaink 79), Yakubu
Jones, Bates
THE FIRST HALF
Boro didn't leave the starting blocks in the first ten minutes and both teams had difficulty controlling the ball on a difficult, greasy surface.
The two sides probed and prodded without creating any half decent chances and then the V-Bomber entered the fray.
George Boateng picked up the ball inside the West Brom half and picked out Mark with what was supposed to be a one-two. Viduka looked up and instead of blasting it, he controlled it into the top right with the outside of his boot and Boro were well and truly on their way.
MIDDLESBROUGH 1 WEST BROM 0 (Viduka 12)
The lead didn't last long though as Boro typically went scrappy after scoring and gave away two free-kicks in quick succession. Franck Queudrue was apologetic after some very poor defnding that allowed Nathan Ellington in to ram home the equaliser.
MIDDLESBROUGH 1 WEST BROM 1 (Ellington 18)
Not to be discouraged by the defensive foul-up, Boro surged forward in a frenzied attempt to restore their lead and nearly did so on twenty-four minutes when Mad-Dog Pogatetz sent in a crashing header that deputy keeper Kuszczak did very well to keep out.
Just on the half-hour mark, Fabio Rochemback nearly broke his Boro scoring duck when he charged through on goal but was the victim of a very heavy challenge from Steve Watson. The midfielder recovered well though and sent in another shot a few minutes later which can only be described as a tremendous strike.
Bryan Robson had most certainly done his homework this week, as West Brom's attempts to stifle our wing-backs was paying dividends. The Baggies had done that part of their job well and it made for a frustrating time for Boro.
Despite a sometimes ragged performance from Boro, the West Brom defence did look a little fragile and Viduka or Yakubu or even Rochemback must have fancied their chances of adding another Boro goal in the second half.
FIRST HALF FAN REACTION
"It's a bit sluggish. Typical Boro Sunday performance. We went very flat after they equalised but I think we'll pick it up in the second half."
Mike_Boro
THE SECOND HALF
Boro switched to a flat back four for the second half, with The Lizard replacing Franck Queudrue. The same move had paid dividends against Fulham last Sunday but didn't threaten to have the same effect at all in the early stages of the half.
Boro won a free-kick on the edge of the box after George Boateng was fouled. On another day it could well have been a penalty but Boro didn't protest too loudly.
Once again, the effort seemed to be lacking and after twelve minutes of the second half, it loked like we might be in for another home disaster as West Brom took advantage of Boro's sluggishness, Kanu striking a delightful shot that gave Skippy no chance and West Brom the lead.
MIDDLESBROUGH 1 WEST BROM 2 (Kanu 57)
Mad-dog Pogatetz was making some interesting moves forward and Boro got their just retribution for the earlier penalty claim when The Lizard was sent flying in the box. As usual, Yakubu converted the perfect spot-kick and Boro were right back in it.
MIDDLESBROUGH 2 WEST BROM 2 (Yakubu 66)
Boro should have gone 3-2 up just two minutes later as first The Lizard hit the bar and then Rochemback sent the rebound wide with the best chance he will probably ever get to disprove the theory that he is goal-blind.
Boro had the Albion defence rocking again on seventy minutes when Mark Viduka did well to get a shot in when under pressure and turn the situation around. The follow up was also good after Kuszczak failed to hold the strike but Boro couldn't capitalise.
Boro upped the pace again with fifteen minutes left and an excellent cross from Mad-Dog Pogataetz would have seen Boro regain the lead, had Viduka got on the end of it.
It was his last piece of action today as he was replaced by Jimmy Floyd with Doriva also entering the play in place of James Morrison.
INTO THE RED ZONE
Steve McClaren could be heard bellowing at his side from all over the ground. He was justified as first Inamoto and then Ellington both went close within a minute.
Boro were ambling by this time and the crowd, clearly frustrated by the lack of effort began to head for the exits. They almost missed Jonathan Greening grabbing the winner for Albion but thankfully, we survived another near miss.
But it was West Brom who could have lost it with just a minute of normal time to go as Yakubu was left in a one-on-one with the keeper that he failed to put home.
The Lizard had a chance at the death but he disappointingly mis-hit it. It summed up the game really. Boro were very unconvincing today and although we were not beaten, the Sunday-after-Europe syndrome continues. So does our record of never having won back to back Premiership fixtures for over a year.
"It's just not good enough really. The lack of effort cost us. The team needs seriously motivating."
Mike_Boro
Final Whistle: 1655 - Report Online: 1659
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