Manchester City 1 Middlesbrough 1
Aguero 43 De Roon 90+1
Marten De Roon’s last minute header earned Middlesbrough a
valuable point away at Manchester City.
The hosts had taken the lead courtesy of Sergio Aguero’s
strike just before half time, however they were unable to capitalise on it - in
a game which saw them record 71 per cent possession.
Boro, in particular their goalkeeper Victor Valdes, defended
their goal valiantly but City will rue a number of chances which they squandered
in the second half.
The clearest fell to Aguero, who looked certain to score
when the ball was cut back to him by Jesus Navas inside the penalty area – but
the Argentine skewed his effort over the bar.
Compared to City’s 4-0 thrashing over West Brom the week
before, Aguero was somewhat quieter here due to Boro’s sturdy backline and the
visitors were rewarded with seconds to go.
The equaliser came when George Friend bravely ventured
forward from the left back position and was allowed time to deliver his cross.
And what a cross it was.
As City retreated, the ball swooped into the penalty area
and beyond the several bodies which had assembled inside the heart of City’s penalty
area. Arriving late was De Roon, who outjumped Gael Clichy at the far post before
powering his header past Claudio Bravo.
The City keeper had been as much of a spectator as the
54,000 fans inside the Etihad in the first half, as Boro struggled to pose any
sort of threat on the break.
Aitor Karanka reverted to the system that earned his side a
goalless draw at Arsenal a fortnight ago, with Adam Forshaw, Adam Clayton and
De Room making up a compact midfield three.
Even so, Boro were far less of a force going forward
compared to their gutsy performance at the Emirates. Adama Traore, who was
brilliant in North London, was shackled every time he received the ball and
Boro quickly resorted to firing the ball up to Alvaro Negredo, who was left to
fight an impossible battle on his own upfront.
Yet for 43 minutes City couldn’t score. Kevin De Bruyne
fired a shot inches wide before Valdes produced a brilliant save to deny David
Silva from close range.
The Boro keeper, who enjoyed arguably his best performance
of the season, was also involved in a nasty clash with Navas, which left Valdes
with a painful-looking cut to the top of his leg. It was bandaged up and he was
allowed to continue.
City’s goal came moments later when De Bruyne dropped deep
to receive the ball, before sweeping a low cross into the penalty area. There
was Aguero, who had made a well-timed run, to poke the ball home.
A goal down, Boro were far more positive after the break and
Negredo received far more support after the interval. Bravo was called into
action when Forshaw broke forward but the midfielder’s low shot was saved by
the Chilean.
The hosts had chances too but didn’t take them. Boro made
them pay.
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