Boro 2-1 Spurs

Well, they came, they saw and we conquered.

Spurs fielded a predictably strong looking side and pre-match Boro fans knew it would be a tough game. A couple of Boro selections raised a few questions on the Boro terraces, one being that David Wheater was played at right-back instead of bringing in Rhys Williams or Tony McMahon. The other was Mohammed Shawky’s inclusion ahead of new boy Didier Digard who looked very sharp in pre-season. Brad Jones was selected in goal ahead of Ross Turnbull. However, the gaffer was proved right when we ran out the victors in a surprisingly comfortable win.

As Jonathan Woodgate’s every touch was jeered it was Boro who created the first clear cut chance, Wheater with the first of many brilliant balls to Tuncay who lofted the ball Assou-Ekotto and was through on goal only to make a hash of an attempt to set himself for the shot. He then squared for Afonso Alves who somehow missed from 10 yards with only the goalkeeper to beat. Now, the first main talking point, Boro won a corner which was whipped in superbly by Downing for Wheater to head in. However, the referee ruled the goal out claiming that Wheater was tugging on Dawson’s shirt. TV replays show that it was a poor decision and if anything Dawson was the one doing the tugging and should have been penalised for it!

Alves had anothe rchnace just before the break when Aliadiere broke down the right and pulled the ball back for Afonso Alves to blast over the bar – but only just.

Half Time: Boro 0-0 Spurs

Shortly after the break Bentley unleashed his 2nd long range shot of the game only for Brad Jones to save comfortably.

Alves was then put through one-on-one against Woodgate who held the Brazillian up enough for his team mates to get back and cover his attempted through ball to Tuncay.

Spurs then had their best chance of the game, Berbatov put Jenas through on goal with only Brad Jones to beat but the Aussie stopper spread himself superbly to make a great save.

Within in minutes though Boro were ahead, Downing swung in another of his brilliant crosses after his corner was headed away. His cross was whipped into the front post and was met by Afonso Alves who fired his shot against the bar only for David Wheater to follow through with a tap in. 1-0 to the smoggies.

Then came a chance at either end, O’Neil had a header superbly saved by Gomes and then Bent fired a 20 yard shot narrowly wide of the Boro goal. Boro then nearly shot themselves in the foot when Wheater attempted to chest the ball back to Jones only for Gareth Bale to nip in but the young Welshman couldnt get the ball out of his feet in time.

Boro had earlier brought on Digard and Mido for Alves and Tuncay, both then played their part in Boro’s 2nd goal. O’Neil neatly back-heeled the ball into Digard’s path for the Frenchman to fire accross goal from 20+ yards out. Mido stuck his leg out to divert the shot into the Spurs net from around 12 yards out – a low kep celebrating from the Egyptian as he is a former Spurs player.

Aliadiere was then put clear, only for him to tire and put a weak attempted chip stright into the greatful grasp of the Spurs keeper.

‘Typical Boro’, the familiar phrase around Teesside, was once again muttered by the thousands of Boro fans inside the Riverside when the Berlin wall – Robert Huth – diverted a free-kick into his own net during stoppage time. We never make anything easy for ourselves!

Boro held on for the win and claimed the 3 points. The performance was good overall and was the perfect way to get back into the groove of competitive football. As i commented a couple of days back, Spurs had a potentially good midfield attacking wise but no cover for the defence in there. In the end it was an energetic Boro performance which rightly got the 3 points and in truth it could have been alot more than 2 goals.

The whole team worked hard for each other, up the Boro!

Full Time: Boro 2-1 Spurs

Good Luck for the rest of the season Spurs, see you at The Lane for the retun game.

Player Ratings

Brad Jones 6
Missed a punch completely in the first half and 2 poor calls when communicating with the defence could have cost us goals. Great save from Jenas but that is the usual story with him, great shot stopper but poor when it comes to everything else.

David Wheater 8
Was put in at right-back to fill in and did well, should have had 2 goals but 1 was wrongly ruled out.

Robert Huth 7
Could do nothing about own goal, he had to go for the header. Solid display and shrugged Darren Bent off easily all game.

Emmanual Pogatetz 7
Solid display from the skipper, never in trouble once.

Andrew Taylor 6
Kept tucking in way too much allowing the opposing winger and full back too much space.

Jeremie Aliadiere 7
Quiet in periods but when he was involved he looked very lively and caused the Spurs defence problems. Put in the usual 110% effort.

Gary O’Neil 7
Was the voice in midfield and had a much better 2nd half than 1st. Set up the 2nd goal with a neat back-heel.

Mohammed Shawky 7
Did his job well, alot of his good work will have gone unnoticed by many Boro fans.

Tuncay Sanli 9
Pulled out all the party tricks with some silky skills and the Spurs defence couldnt cope with his trickery, link up play and ball control. Put in the usual 110% shift for the team.

Afonson Alves 8
The hardest he has worked for the team since he joined, costantly tracking back and on one of his better days he could have had a hat-trick.

Stewart Downing 8
A constant pain in Spurs’ side, had a hand in both Boro goals. Called upto the England squad to make his day even better.

Didier Digard 7
Set-up the 2nd goal by taking the chance to have a long range shot, broke play up well when Spurs attacked towards the end of the game.

Mido 8
Put in the work and got his reward – looking alot fitter and sharper than he did at any point last season.

Manager Rating
Gareth Southgate – 9. A few questions were raised by some Boro fans over his team selection but he proved those people wrong.

Opponent Rating
Juande Ramos – 5. What was he thinking when he chose his team? To not go with a defensive midfielder away from home was an accident waiting to happen.