Boro made to pay for wasted chances
By Shaun • Sep 20th, 2008 • Category: Match NewsMiddlesbrough were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal and their apparant inability to defend late in the game as two Michael Chopra goals gave Sunderland the 3 points in the Tees-Wear derby.
In a move that would maybe surprise a number of Boro fans, Southgate decided to start with a 4-5-1 formation with Alves dropping to the bench and Adam Johnson coming into the team on the left flank, moving Downing inside. His plans were altered just prior to kick off as Mido hobbled out of the pre-match warm up and Afonso Alves was restored to the starting 11.
Boro started the game well and in truth were the better side in the first 45 minutes. Stewart Downing was given a fantastic chance to give Boro and early lead as an Alves free kick deflected off the wall to him, his volley however was too close to Gordon and the Sunderland keeper blocked the shot out for a corner.
Djibril Cisse had a few chances for the hosts but his finishing was wasteful, Sunderland were beginning to come into the game spurred on by the impressive Steed Malbranque but it was Boro who should have taken the lead on a quick counter attack. David Wheater got a block on a Cisse shot and Boro broke quickly with Adam Johnson, he put Afonso Alves through on goal but the Brazilian wasted a golden opportunity but hitting his shot too close to Gordon.
The second half was a more even affair with both goalkeepers tested and both proving more than equal to those tests. Afonso Alves hit a decent strike, cutting in from the left hand side that Craig Gordon managed to get his hand to. Kieran Richardson had an equally good attempt well saved by Ross Turnbull.
With twenty or so minutes left both sides made changes. Gareth Southgate, surprisingly decided to change Boro’s formation bringin on Justin Hoyte and Mohamed Shawky for Adam Johnson and Didier Digard. With Digard just returning from a knock he was brought off, I would have preferred to see him stay on as he didin’t look like he was lagging at all and had played very well up till that point. Sunderland brought on Daryl Murphy and Andy Reid for Diouf and Cisse.
Shortly after Boro were gifted the chance to take the lead as the referee awarded a penalty for Nyron Nosworthy’s clumsy challenge on Aliadiere. A turning point in the game and unfortunately for Boro, as Downing’s terrible penalty was ballooned over the bar, the tide of the game swung in favour of the hosts.
As soon as the ball cleared Gordon’s crossbar you could almost feel the Sunderland players grow in confidence and from that point on you could only see one winner. With a little under ten minutes to play Chopra nipped ahead of the Boro defence to play the ball to Richardson, the sharp striker turned and took the ball back, taking a couple of touches before finishing it well past Turnbull.
Two minutes later, Chopra almost doubled his tally. He connected to an excellent cross from the right hand side, forcing Turnbull into the save. Stewart Downing crossing from the left allowed Aliadiere to chest the ball at the back post into the path of Andrew Taylor. His shot was powerful and on target but Nosworthy got the block in.
Just to ensure that it was a stanrd issue Boro performance, we conceded yet another goal in stoppage time! The ball deflected off a Boro defender into the path of SteedMalbranque. With two Sunderland players in the Boro box and no defence to speak of, he calmly passed to Chopra who doubled Sunderland’s advantage. The only surprise was Boro never scored to keep up our record of a 2-1 scoreline in everygame this season.
Watching the game with my brother (a Sunderland fan) I felt prior to the penalty that a draw would have disappointed me, I felt we playe well enough and done enought to nick a win. Sunderland were not a great team but they gave Boro a lesson on taking your chances and they took the points, fair play to them.
It’s the sort of result that ruins your weekend, and working with mackems will make Monday morning a nightmare, but Boro have to pick themselves up for the mid-week cup game. Lets beat Man Utd and put this game behind us 
Player Ratings
Turnbull - 8 - Had a moment of madness when dropping the ball at the feet of Cisse, bailed out by Huth. Otherwise I thought he was excellent again, made some good saves, was strong in the air and had no real chance for either goal.
Wheater - 6 - Continues to be payed out of position and it shows. We look stronger with him and Huth in the heart of the defence.
Huth - 7 - Was strong for the most part today, did not get a lot of help.
Pogatetz - 6 - Did his job when needed but I would rather have Wheater and Huth at Centreback with Poggy at left back.
Taylor - 5 - Thought Taylor struggled defensively today, dived in to a couple of reckless challenges.
Aliadiere - 6 - Won the penalty but otherwise had a fairly quiet game. Should have done better with a chance on his left foot after a good turn, a weak finish was straight at Gordon.
O’Neil - 5 - At times I thought his use of the ball was shocking. He was busy enough and put the work in but when everyone is fit he wouldn’t play in the middle of the park for me.
Digard - 7 - I was impressed again with Digard and I thought our midfield was noticeably weaker and over run when he went off.
Downing - 5 - Average performance, was no where near as dangerous in a more central position. Woeful penalty, surely the last he takes this season.
Johnson - 6 - I thought Johnson did ok in the first half, looked confident and ready to run with the ball, created a great chance for Alves.
Alves - 7 - Did ok up front on his own, had a couple of chance and should have scored. Needs a goal to get his confidence up.
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Shaun is A Boro fan and owner of BoroMania.com. Born and brought up in the North East. Favourite players are Juninho, Slaven and David Wheater.
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Gutted, not looking forward to work on Monday now. I thought we deserved a point but credit Chopra, he took his first goal well.
For me our midfield is just not good enough, especially O’Neil. I’d prefer to see Arca and Digard in there when fit and hopefully Southgate is looking at players for the January window.
Well played Turnbull thought he was excellent again, the horror moment was just one of those things and luckily it didn’t result in a goal.
Put this behind us and move on, the important game is our next home Prem game, must win.
Sunderland fan here, chuffed with the win here’s my view:
The game could easily gone either way. Your lot started both halves better but ended both halves poorly. If Downing had scored I’m convinced you would have gone on and won the game. I was impressed with Turnbull. Your defence is strong and good in the air but struggles against quicker players.
Craig Gordon was my man of the match and think Roy Keane beat Southgate for tactics today.
As soon as i saw Downing step up to take the pen i knew he was gonna miss, i said so to my mate. Why isn’t Alves on the penalties?
TBH i think a draw would’ve been a fair result but we are shite at defending the last ten minutes.
O’Neil was poor today, Downing was poor today and i think Southgate got it wrong by playing 4-5-1 and then switching to 3-5-2. What is wrong with 4-4-2? We’ve played it all season.
We could do with Arca back i agree, He’s the only one out of the current crop of central midfielders who can hold the ball under pressure and pick out a decent pass.
Afonso should be on the pens, he’s a striker. Downing does not look confident stepping up for penalties at all.
Gutted at the moment, need to sort out our away form, our inability to stop conceding late goals and weak as pish midfield. Digard was good and agree should’ve stayed on, he didin’t look like he was tiring or injured.