Middlesbrough 1 Leeds 0
Main 81
In the absence of Newcastle and Sunderland, Leeds are as
close to a rivalry Middlesbrough get these days. Just the sort of game needed
to revive Boro from their mid-season slump.
From Neil Warnock’s touch line antics to a referee who
proved to be even more unpopular than the Leeds boss at full time, the feisty
affair certainly didn’t lack any passion.
 |
| Curtis Main celebrates the winning goal over rivals Leeds |
For eighty-one minutes the result lay on a knife edge, the
visitors arguably edging the first half, Boro defiantly dominating the second. Up
to that point both sides held regrets. Leeds striker Ross McCormack will have
nightmares over not converting a golden chance before the break, while after it
Boro pounded the Leeds goal but were unrewarded.
The scene was set, after missing four months of football
through injury this was the overdue opportunity for Curtis Main. With nine
minutes to go Ishmael Miller’s teasing cross was well met by his fellow striker
who looped his header over Leeds keeper Paddy Kenny sending the home supporters
ecstatic.
Boro were minutes away from releasing their burden which had
followed them through five successive league defeats; however it came with a hint
of sourness. In quick succession Main was handed two yellow cards by referee
Keith Stroud, to the disgust of the home fans who made their feelings heard.
Tony Mowbray made five changes from the side pitifully
beaten by Barnsley on Saturday. Main along with Jonathan Woodgate, Stuart
Parnaby, Faris Haroun and Josh McEachran all started the game. While Lukas
Jutkiewitz, Emmanuel Ledesma and Nicky Bailey dropped to the bench. Kieron Dyer
and Seb Hines missed out completely. Leeds were unchanged from the side that drew
2-2 with Wolves.
Boro’s switch back to the traditional 4-4-2 formation,
created an open match in the early stages. However it was the visitors who threatened
to open the scoring, David Norris’ first effort from outside the box whistled
past the post; his second from a similar position forced a decent save from
keeper Jason Steele.
With just over 2,000 Leeds fans the whole occasion was
poised, ready to explode into life. It was triggered ten minutes in a late challenge
from Leeds captain Lee Peltier on Mustapha Carayol which brought a reaction
from both players and fans. Peltier was booked for the original challenge along
with Andre Bikey who got involved in the aftermath.
A quieter spell followed, as the game settled down but it
was the visitors who suddenly calved the games first opening. Rhys Williams was
dispossessed in midfield and Leeds abruptly broke toward the Boro goal.
Steve Morrison led the attack before picking out strike
partner McCormack in the centre. For the second successive game Steele slipped,
leaving the goal gaping surely this was 1-0. However the striker dithered
allowing ex-Leeds defender Woodgate to position himself on the line and block
the shot.
The next big chance fell Boro’s way, right on the stroke of half time McEacran
threaded a delightful pass through to
the on running Haroun. Leeds keeper Paddy Kenny came rushing out from his goal
giving the Belgium midfielder little time, Haroun went for power but Kenny
matched it blocking the shot.
Boro began the second half with a higher tempo, looking the
team most likely break the dead lock. Leeds did their best to prevent Boro’s intensity;
numerous challenges from the visitors went unpunished to the disbelief of Tony
Mowbray and the Boro bench.
To make matters worse Carayol was later booked for a minor
coming together with a Leeds player the referee was starting to show a lack of consistency,
now becoming an unpopular figure to the home fans.
Although a point would have been respectable, Boro were
desperate for all three. With twenty minutes to go Grant Leadbitter placed a dangerous free kick inches past the
post, as Boro began to show more intent.
Then came a bombardment towards the Leeds goal, a shot from Leadbitter was parried into a crowded penalty area by Kenny. The loose ball could
have ended up anywhere but eventfully found the gloves of the thankful keeper,
as he held McEachran’s diving header.
The fans waited anxiously as the game headed towards a
frustrating draw. But then came the break through, a strong run from substitute Miller was followed by a curling cross towards Main. At full stretch he
jumped well, looping his header over Kenny across the goal, causing a majority
of the stadium to erupt. The dejected Leeds fans fell silent.
Just minutes after becoming the hero, Main’s night to
remember took an unwelcomed turn. In as many minutes he received two harsh
bookings the first for kicking the ball away in frustration, the second for an accidental
hand ball. As he left the pitch he received a standing ovation from the home
fans, the referee on the other hand was given an echo of boos.
In the dying minutes Boro were forced to hang on, as Leeds
threw everything to try and salvage a point. A stunning save from Steele denied
Habib Habibou a close range header, but Boro stood firm to record their first
win of 2013. What a night to do it.
Player Ratings
Jason Steele 7-
Another clumsy slip in the first half, but recovered to make some crucial saves
George Friend 7.5- A
much more solid performance than the weekend, had to adjust to centre back for
the last 25 minutes after Woodgate was replaced
Jonathan Woodgate 8-
Immense at the back until subbed after 65 minutes, brilliant block on the line
keep the scores level in the first half
Andre Bikey 8.5-
Stood up to the physical battle of Leeds, strong and firm at the back
Stuart Parnaby 7.5-
Very solid performance made a real case to start more regularly
Faris Haroun 6.5-
Worked hard and did his bit for the team on the right
Grant Leadbitter
7.5- After a few unconvincing performances tonight he was back near his
best with an honest hard working performance
Rhys Williams (C) 7-
Started in centre midfield defended well, a bit indecisive in the final third
Josh McEachran 6.5-
At times looked out of sort on the right, has looked better in the centre this
season. Quiet at times but had ability to play the killer pass
Mustapha Carayol 7.5-
Pace caused a threat upfront and on the wing, but began to tire towards the end
Curtis Main 8.5-
Worked his socks off all night and was rewarded with the winning goal, very
unfortunate to be send off
Subs
Andy Haliday 6.5-
Replaced Woodgate with 25 minutes to go showed plenty of desire crunching
tackle of Diouf, brought big applause from the crowed
Ismael Miller 6.5-
came on with 15 minutes to play, gave fresh and a different dimension upfront,
great cross for the goal
Nicky Bailey- Brought on for the last couple of minutes to
see out the game and secure the midfield
My Boro Man Of The Match: Curtis Main
No comments:
Post a Comment