Boro Beat The League's Best Now For The Rest

Middlesbrough    2       Cardiff    1  

                                Dyer  13  Ameobi  17                                     Gunnarsson  67

In their two meetings with table topping Cardiff City, Boro have shown that they can more than mix it with the best in this division. A clear reminder of the quality Tony Mowbray’s team is still capable of.

Back in November Boro left South Wales empty handed, after a more than dominant display over the Bluebirds deserved at least a point. Since then Cardiff have been flying at the head of the table, but in the reverse fixture the Teessiders left an overdue mark on their Welsh rivals in an enthralling 2-1 victory.

Relief for Tony Mowbray and the Boro fans

The win wasn’t without drama, Boro’s habit of doing things the hard way made for a nervy climax, but the hosts hung on to claim only their second league win since the turn of the year as they hope to re-launch their promotion aspirations.   

Like Wednesday’s FA cup tie with Chelsea Mowbray opted for a balanced 4-4-2 formation, but made five changes. Ishmael Miller partnered Scott McDonald upfront, while Seb Hines replaced the injured Andre Bikey. Kieron Dyer returned on the right of midfield along with Josh McEachran in the centre, both were ineligible to play on Wednesday.

There was also a warm welcome for debutant Sammy Ameobi, who replaced Faris Haroun. Rhys Williams and Curtis Main dropped to the bench, Mustapha Carayol missed out altogether. Cardiff made two changes from their victory over Wolves last time out.

The opening minutes provided half chances either way. First Craig Bellamy, who was booed the whole afternoon for his time at Newcastle, sent a speculative effort wide. Moments later Grant Leadbitter’s free kick was met by another former magpie in Ameobi whose towering header bounced off the top of the cross bar.

Boro took heart from a gutsy performance on Wednesday night, playing a majority of the game on the counter attack, which worked to a great effect after thirteen minutes.

McDonald made a promising run towards the opposition penalty area before chipping a delicate pass to his left towards Miller. The Boro forward, on loan from Nottingham Forrest, did well to hold off a challenge from defender Kevin McNaughton and square the ball across the penalty area, where he found Dyer, who couldn’t miss from close range, marking his first goal for the club with a simple finish.

Just four minutes later the Cardiff net bulged again. Ameobi, who had already become a popular figure with the fans, received the ball from McDonald on the right. The Boro debutant skipped past two defenders who were left mesmerised by the winger’s quick feet which took him inside the area, where on his favoured left foot he smashed the ball past Cardiff keeper David Marshall doubling Boro’s advantage. The Riverside was firmly on cloud nine.

Throughout the first half Boro looked far from a side who had only won one of their last nine league games. They looked a solid unit without the ball, proving a tough nut to crack for the league leaders. While going forward Mowbray’s side possessed an ominous threat on the break.

Cardiff’s main weapon came in the shape of their set pieces. With just over half an hour played Bellamy’s in swinging corner had to be punched away by Jason Steele, the ball fell at the feet of Cardiff skipper Peter Whittingham who drove a first time shot back towards goal, forcing an acrobatic save from the Boro keeper who tipped the effort over the bar.

The hosts did create chances to claim a third, which would have surely sealed the game. The closest coming on the stroke of half time when Ameobi burst down the left before picking out McDonald, the striker's shot of the edge of the area deflected back off Ameobi and looped towards the Cardiff goal, forcing Marshall to turn the ball over his cross bar.

Chasing the game, Cardiff attempted to push forward after half time. However Boro still threatened on the break .Ten minutes after the restart Dyer received the ball on the left where he fired across the goal but couldn’t find another Boro shirt.

It was make or break time for the visitors, with half an hour to go Cardiff boss Malkey Mackay introduced striker Heidar Helguson to try and salvage something from the match.

With a lead to defend Boro naturally retreated deeper and deeper down the pitch, as Cardiff began to rank up the pressure which eventfully told mid way through the second half.

Throughout the game the visitors threatened, from corners taken by Bellamy and Whittingham, and with just under twenty minutes left to play they got their reward. Bellamy’s corner from the left fell nicely for the unmarked Aron Gunnarsson who steered his header past Steele offering the league leaders a life line.

That set up a tense finish as Boro fought to hang on, Mowbray played his hand by making a double change. Off went both goal scorers to a standing ovation, Dyer and Ameobi were replaced by Marvin Emnes and Emmanuel Ledesma.

Cardiff went close when Fraizer Campbell connected with Whittingham’s cross, but the former Sunderland forward plummeted his header into the ground, which bounced over the cross bar as it became nail biting stuff for the home fans.

The dying few minutes were hectic, as Cardiff threw the kitchen sink at Boro in hope of snatching a point. Ben Turner’s header required a terrific save from Steele at full stretch. Minutes later Boro defender Steven McManus took a hammering shot to the face preventing Steele the trouble, as the hosts stood firm.

In the mist of chaos, Boro had chances to wrap up a third, both Emnes and Ledesma broke away in the Cardiff half but their shooting let them down in advanced positions. Thankfully for Boro with all the excitement came a crucial three points as Mowbray looks to kick-start his teams push for promotion.

The result keeps Boro in seventh place with a trip to Huddersfield on Tuesday. But the win is a real platform of belief for players and fans that this side can beat the best this league has to offer, hopefully  now they have the confidence to reproduce these types of performances every week.

Player ratings   

Jason Steele   7.5- Not much he could have done about the goal, alert when called upon making some crucial saves

George Friend   7- Few problems defensively, a bit sloppy in possession when going forward

Steven McManus   8- Barley put a foot wrong dealt with everything that came his way in defence

Seb Hines   7.5- Solid game kept Bellamy and Campbell relatively quiet

Nicky Bailey   7- Another game at un-preferred right back, but still showed plenty of fighting spirit and leadership

Kieron Dyer   7- Best performance in a Boro shirt, got on the score sheet and tried to get more involved

Grant Leadbitter   7- Reformed partnership with McEacran in midfield, which gave a good balance

Josh McEachran   7- Worked hard didn’t have a massive impact on the game going forward, but was comfortable and reliable on the ball

Sammy Ameobi   8- Scored a belter of a goal and added a spark to the game, looked a threat every time he got the ball. Great debut

Scott McDonald   7.5- Played a big part in both goals, good on the deck where he brought other players into the game

Ismael Miller   7- A bit frustrating at times but added a physical presence which caused defenders problems, got assist for the first goal

Subs

Unfair to rate these players as they were only on the pitch for a short space of time

Marvin Emnes – Gave fresh legs with 15 minutes to play missed good chance late on

Emmanual Ledesma – Replaced Ameobi who was tiring on the right  

Curtis Main – Came for the frantic final minutes, someone who will work and chase the ball down

My Boro Man Of The Match Sammy Ameobi