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Middlesbrough
v West Bromwich Albion
Riverside Stadium,
Middlesbrough. 5th April 2003, 3.00pm. |
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A bleak location and
a bleak afternoon. This was one of the few occasions this season
when Albion were well beaten. We never really got going and, while
the home fans remained nervous until the second goal went in, an
equaliser never looked likely.
Megson left Hughes on the bench once more, but he was joined by
Andy Johnson back from injury. Gilly made a welcome return to the
back three lining up along side Wallwork, deputising for the injured
Moore, and Sigurdsson.
From the first minute, it was clear that 'Boro were the better side.
Twice early on, Hoult was forced to make saves from Job and Christie
as 'Boro carved open the Albion defence. Albion did threaten, however,
with a Clement cross deflected over his own bar by Ehiogu and a
Koumas shot inches wide. On 19 minutes, Roberts had his best moment
of the game forcing Schwarzer into a save although his shot was
probably going wide.
The best Albion chance of the first half came from a Koumas corner.
The ball evaded all in the centre of the goal falling to Sigurdsson
at the back post, but his shot was just over the bar.
'Boro responded with three clear cut chances for Greening, Job and
Southgate as the Albion defence looked shaky in the absence of Big
Dave. Thankfully, it appeared that the home side were suffering
from the Albion's Barn Door Disease.
But not for much longer. On 36 minutes, a break down the left by
Job saw him find CHRISTIE in the area who twisted and turned before
side-footing past a static Hoult to give 'Boro the lead.
A few minutes later, a scrappy exchange in the Albion area led to
a moment of pure quality when a looping cross was met by Juninho
whose overhead kick slammed off the crossbar and over.
The second half started as the first finished with Albion on the
back foot. The defence parted to Geremi a clear shot on goal that
was superbly saved by Hoult. The rebound fell to Job but Hoult managed
to recover to tip his effort over the bar. Minutes later, Job was
sent through by Christie but Siggy got back enough to put the Cameroon
international off enough to send his shot wide.
Megson finally gave in to the inevitable on 53 minutes and replace
Roberts, but it was Dobie that got the nod. A few minutes later,
a very disappointing McInnes was replaced with Johnson. And it was
AJ who set up Albion's best chance of the game. His intelligent
pass found Balis whose cross was met by Dichio six yards out. But
the connection was weak and Ehiogu cleared off the line.
Hoult was forced into another fine save from Geremi before the difference
in resources was made apparent when 'Boro brought two players worth
about £15 million off the bench inMaccaronee and Nemeth to try and
secure the victory.
Albion kept plugging away but the goal wasn't coming and 'Boro sealed
the victory on 76 minutes. A neat one two between Juninho and GREENING
saw the former Man Utd man somehow get the ball through about three
Albion defenders before burying the ball into the corner.
Dichio missed another good chance from a Balis cross before substitute
NEMETH was found by Juninho's through ball. The Slovakian outpaced
Wallwork and beat Hoult to make it 3-0.
To be honest, Middlesbrough were well worth their three goals, and
if it were not for some excellent goalkeeping and wayward finishing,
it could have been many more. Albion were probably lucky to get
'nil', but the fans were once again superb and they alone deserved
a goal to celebrate.
RESULT - MIDDLESBROUGH 3 WEST BROMWICH
ALBION 0
Marks
Hoult - 8 - Made some excellent saves.
Balis - 6 - Needs to make more runs behind the defence, because
he is dangerous when he does.
Clement - 7 - Steady performance.
Sigurdsson - 8 - MOM. One of his best games for the Baggies.
Wallwork - 6 - Did OK, but he's not a centre back.
Gilchrist - 7 - Great to have him back.
Koumas - 7 - Some good runs and passes.
Gregan - 6 - Some excellent passing, but dropped a few defensively.
McInnes - 3 - Got into some good positions but his final ball was
diabolical.
Roberts - 5 - Has played worse, but doesn't move enough and is still
lazy.
Dichio - 6 - Did OK.
Dobie - 5 - Moved a bit more than Roberts, but offered little.
Johnson - 7 - Should have started, did very well when he came on.
Lyttle - 6 - Not on for long enough to make an impact.
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Middlesbrough
(4-4-2):
Schwarzer; Cooper, Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue; Geremi, Doriva,
Juninho (Stockdale 90), Greening; Christie (Nemeth 69), Job (Maccarone
69). Subs not used: Jones (GK), Wilkshire. |
West
Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Sigurdsson, Wallwork, Gilchrist; Balis (Lyttle 86), McInnes
(Johnson 60), Gregan, Koumas, Clement; Roberts (Dobie 53), Dichio.
Subs not used: Murphy (GK), Hughes.
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Scoring: Christie (36)
1-0, Greening (76) 2-0, Nemeth (87) 3-0.
Bookings: West Bromwich Albion - Koumas (deliberate handball 34).
Referee: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City)
Attendance: 30,187. |
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