Middlesbrough 3 Cardiff 1
Connolly (OG) 24 Ramirez 63 Fabio 20
Nugent 83
Before this game Middlesbrough fans saw flashbacks of their
past triumphs as the club paid its tributes to the late-great commentator
Allister Brownlee, who tragically passed away last week.
In a five minute video prior to kick-off, the Riverside
relived the golden moments, which the passionate and distinguished voice of
Brownlee made extra special.
Among the clips was the Boro side that lifted the League Cup
back in 2004, the penalty save from Mark Schwarzer which saw them qualify for
Europe and that famous header from Massimo Maccarone as the Teessiders reached
the UEFA Cup final.
If the rest of this season goes to plan, then a promotion
campaign could be added to those recent memories. On Monday Boro manager Aitor
Karanka said that Brownlee’s passing had given his side an extra motivation to
return to the Premier League and this was clear evidence of that.
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| Gaston Ramirez celebrates his first Boro goal (Picture from The Northern Echo) |
In the 56th minute, Brownlee’s age when he passed
away, fans remembered the much-loved commentator by lighting up the torches on
their phones and singing the words ‘There’s only one Ali Brownlee’. He would
have enjoyed this victory just as much as anyone.
A comical own goal from Cardiff defender Matthew Connolly, as
well as second half strikes from Gaston Ramirez and substitute David Nugent
aided Boro here.
All came after a wonderful strike from Cardiff right back
Fabio who scored his first goal for the club to open the scoring after 20
minutes.
Yet Boro got the break and the win that they so desperately
needed after their recent wobbles.
It was a much improved performance compared to the bland and
insipid displays against the likes of Bristol City, Nottingham Forest and
Blackburn.
Adam Forshaw, who returned due to Adam Clayton’s suspension,
added fluidity and zest to the midfield, Albert Adomah ran himself into the
ground and created regular openings, while Ramirez produced the moments of magic
when the team need him most.
Even so keeper Dimi Konstantopulos was forced to pull off
two spectacular saves, one of which came when the sides were locked at 1-1 in
the second half. Had it gone in it could have been a different story.
In truth that would have been harsh. On the face of it Boro
edged possession and created the better chances against an in form Cardiff side
who hammered Brighton 4-1 at the weekend.
Jordan Rhodes didn’t score and squandered some decent
chances that fans would expect him to bury, following his £9 million move in
January.
Even so the highly rated forward still found himself in the
right positions and worked tirelessly to bring his teammates into the game.
With more matches under his belt for his new side he will surely start finding
the net like he has done at his previous clubs.
With Ben Gibson suspended and Daniel Ayala still out injured,
Boro fans may have been concerned about an inexperienced back line which saw Tomas
Kalas and 18-year-old Dael Fry start as the two centre backs.
Yet the pair performed admirably, winning header after
header against giant Cardiff forward Lex Immers.
The first chance of the evening fell to the hosts when
Rhodes, who was making his first start at the Riverside, headed Emilio Nsue’s
cross in to the ground and into the gloves of City keeper David Marshall.
Rhodes received another opportunity minutes later, when the
lively Adomah pounced on a loose pass from Bruno Ecuele Manga and released the
striker through on goal. However his finish was skewed and some way off target.
Cardiff took the lead in the 20th minute, when
set piece specialist Peter Whittingham delivered a corner from the left which
was only half cleared.
Even so no one in the ground would have expected what happen
next, as Fabio - surely the most unlikely scorer on the pitch excluding the two
goalkeepers - took a touch and rifled the ball into the top corner with an exquisite
volley.
Boro’s response was imminent and four minutes later they
were back on level terms. Once again Adomah set up Rhodes, whose clever dip of
the shoulder helped him deceive Manga and try his luck at goal.
His low effort was saved by Marshall but popped up allowing
Ramirez to head the ball back towards goal. In the meantime Connolly had taken
up a good position on the goal line and looked set to clear; instead he kicked
the ball into his own arm and sent the ball into his own net. It was the slice
of luck Boro needed.
The hosts continued look more assured on the ball but were
given a wakeup call when Anthony Pilkington cut inside onto his right foot, but
dragged his shot wide.
Rhodes then missed a golden chance when Nsue cut the ball
back to him, but the Scotland international cleared the cross bar. Moments
later his header from Adomah’s cross hit the target but Marshall saved.
Boro had Konstantopulos to thank at the start of the second
half when he kept out Immers powerful header. At the other end Marshall denied
Stewart Downing before Boro took control.
On 63 minutes Adomah’s cross caused havoc in the Cardiff
area. Eventually it dropped to Ramirez, who calmly tucked the ball home.
The Uruguayan was involved again when he won a penalty on 80
minutes. Grant Leadbitter has a great record from the spot, but this time
Marshall guessed correctly and saved low to his right.
It didn’t matter, as three minutes later Ramirez broke on the
counter attack and fed the ball to Adomah. The Ghanaian winger then picked out
Nugent who tucked the ball home to put Boro’s promotion challenge back on
track.
Player Ratings
Dimi Konstantopulsos
7.5- Made two fantastic saves, one of which came at 1-1
George Friend 6.5-
Looked a bit off the pace in the opening minutes but grew into the game on his
return
Dael Fry 7.5- Showed
remarkable maturity for an 18-year-old at the back
Tomas Kalas 7.5- Assured
performance at centre back where he has looked uncomfortable in the past
Emilio Nsue 7.5-
Linked up well with Adomah on the right
Grant Leadbitter 6-
Gave the ball away a couple of times, but work rate couldn’t be questioned
Adam Forshaw 7.5-
Added attacking instincts into the midfield as he looked to move the ball
forward
Albert Adomah 8.5- Full
of energy and drive, put dangerous crosses into the box all game
Stewart Downing 6-
Showed flashes of his quality but dipped in and out of the match
Gaston Ramirez 8.5-
Was involved in all three goals, added quality in the final third
Jordan Rhodes 6.5- Movement
caused the City defence problems but finishing let him down, it should come
soon enough
Subs
David Nugent 7- Came
on for the last 17 minutes and got on the score sheet
Cristhian Stuani – Came on for the last seven minutes,
unfair to give a fair rating
Julien De Sart – Came on for the last minute, unfair to give
a fair rating
My Boro Man Of The Match: Albert Adomah
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