Middlesbrough 1 Burnley 2
Fabbrini 34 Hennings 45 Ward 71
Middlesbrough fans could have been forgiven for not wanting
their side to equalise in the dying minutes of their FA Cup tie with Burnley,
as they crashed out at the third round stage.
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| Stephen Ward fires in the winner (Picture from BBC Sport) |
In the last 10 years only two sides which have gone up
automatically from the Championship have made it past the fourth round of the
competition. A late goal here would have only resulted in a dreaded Tuesday
night replay to complicate Boro’s promising league campaign, which has seen
them bridge a four point gap at the top of the table.
Aitor Karnaka had vowed to take the competition seriously,
which he reinforced by naming a strong side including Daniel Ayala, George
Friend and Adam Clayton among others.
All appeared to be going well for the hosts when Diego
Fabbrini put them ahead after 34 minutes, only for Rouwen Hennings to draw
Burnley level on the stroke of half time before Stephen Ward scored the winner
19 minutes from the end.
For Sean Dyche’s side this was sweet revenge for the 1-0
defeat they suffered here in the league just under a month ago. Like Boro they
are also involved in a promotion tussle which could be deemed more important, try
telling that to the 1,275 travelling fans who were ecstatic when the final
whistle sounded.
The visitors also named a strong-looking side, though the
Championship’s top scorer Andre Gray didn’t even make the bench.
Karanka used the opportunity to give game time to the likes
of Adam Forshaw, Tomas Kalas and Carlos De Pena, who have been on the fringes of
the squad over the past few weeks.
On the whole they created the better chances, and with more
conviction could have been out of sight after half an hour.
Forshaw, who is yet to register a goal for Boro after nearly
a year at the club, went close after 17 minutes with a long range drive which
swerved over the cross bar. Minutes later De Pena, who linked up well with
Friend in the early exchanges, tried his luck but his low shot was comfortable
for Tom Heaton to save.
The visitors also threatened, with Boro defender Fernando
Amorebieta having to make a number of towering headers to keep them at bay.
Boro were nearly caught out when their regular cup keeper
Tomas Mejias took too much time on the ball and was closed down by Hennings who
almost forced a mistake.
At the other end Heaton continued to keep Burnley in the
game, denying David Nugent when the striker was sent through on goal just
before the half hour mark. Adomah then had a shot blocked before the hosts
finally moved ahead.
From there the game was set for Karanka’s side to take the
initiative, but instead they took their foot off the pedal and paid the
ultimate price.
Boro hadn’t conceded a goal in their last eight games in the
league, but were caught off guard minutes before the interval. Sam Vokes’ low
cross from the right curled into the path of Hennings, who had slipped into the
box undetected, before he poked the ball past Mejias who had been left stranded
on his line.
The visitors returned after half time with a spring in their
step but rarely tested Mejias, who was a spectator for most of the game.
Heaton, on the other hand, remained busy saving efforts from
Fabbrini and Adomah, who were creating Boro’s best openings.
Karanka was forced to shuffle his pack ten minutes into the second
half when Amorebieta hobbled off and was replaced by Emilio Nsue who slotted in
at right back meaning Tomas Kalas moved to centre half.
Forshaw then missed a glorious chance when he headed wide
from close range. Burnley’s winner came from a corner which Boro failed to
clear before the ball cannoned around the area and Ward lashed it home from
close range.
With little time remaining Karanka brought on Kike and
Cristhian Stuani to try and save the game. A replay wouldn’t have been ideal,
but Boro fans won’t have to worry about that now as Burnley hung on to progress
to round four.
Player Ratings
Tomas Mejias 5.5- Looked
hesitant coming for crosses
Tomas Kalas 6- Moved
across the back due to Amorebieta’s injury
Fernando Amorebieta
6.5- Was imposing at the back before coming off
Daniel Ayala 6-
Tried to bring the ball out of defence but lacked options in front of him
George Friend 6.5-
Worked hard up and down the left
Adam Clayton 6-
Tried to drive the team forward from midfield
Adam Forshaw 6- Was
unable to create anything clear cut
Carlos De Pena 6- Faded
as the game went on
Albert Adomah 6.5-
Got into some decent attacking positions
Diego Fabbrini 7-
Looked the most likely to create something
David Nugent 5.5-
Missed some decent chances
Subs
Emilio Nsue 6- Replaced
Amorebieta after 54 minutes
Kike – Came on for the last 14 minutes, not enough time to
give a fair rating
Cristhian Stuani - Came on for the last 14 minutes, not
enough time to give a fair rating
My Boro Man Of The Match : Diego Fabbrini
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