Carling Cup Win

...and thanks to a first Boro goal for Dong Gook Lee

Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Northampton Town

Boro have recorded a home win in their Carling cup 2nd round clash against Northampton Town thanks to a 66th minute goal from South Korean striker Dong Gook Lee and a superb 35-yard free-kick from Fabio Rochemback.

Boro, who lined up with 6 changes to the side that drew to Newcastle on Sunday, began the game, as expected, on top of their opposition and Tuncay came close to a chance in the opening 10 seconds, but was thwarted by a last ditch tackle.

Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson started well and brought plenty of pace along both wings with captain for the evening Luke Young overlapping on the right. Fabio Rochemback also continued his good start to the season, in the centre of midfield, alongside youngster Lee Cattermole who was handed a chance to stake his claim as a first choice centre midfielder.

Dong Gook Lee, Boro's South Korean 'yet to score' striker, was also handed a start alongside new boy Tuncay. Lee and Tuncay got along well together and were provided with some excellent service from the wings. Lee came close with a left foot volley after a great cross from the right by Adam Johnson, before Stewart Downing saw a left foot strike sail just over the bar.

However Northampton proved to be good on the break and nearly gave Boro an early upset as Brad Johnson saw his long range effort parried by Boro keeper, Brad Jones, and Ian Henderson's follow-up diving header ricocheted off the post.

Worryingly, Boro received a further defensive blow as Andrew Davies had to leave the field and went straight down into the dressing room to receive treatment for a blow to the head that grounded the local lad for several minutes. Davies returned to a round of applause after having had 4 stitches applied to his head wound. But the tough defender was still looking a bit shaky and, after just 2 minutes back on the pitch, captain Luke Young indicated to the Boro bench that Davies needed to come off. After just 36 minutes played, fellow youngster Seb Hines stepped into the fold and slotted straight into Davies centre-back spot.

After his earlier fumble, Boro keeper Brad Jones was looking a little uncomfortable in goal and seemed reluctant to command his box, frustrating David Wheater who had to clear the ball for a corner when Jones failed to come for the ball.

Boro created further chances, at the other end, as first Dong Gook Lee glanced his header just wide from an Adam Johnson cross, then Johnson likewise narrowly missed the target with his effort as Downing crossed to the near post.

The teams went, frustratingly, into the break at 0 - 0 after both sides had created good chances to score.

Just 8 minutes into the second period Boro won a free kick, but from 35 yards out and with Fabio Rochemback hovering over the ball, the fans mustn't have been feeling optimistic. But Rochemback showed that every now and then he can pull something special out of the hat, with a superb 35-yard drive into the bottom left corner of the goal and Boro were 1-0 up.

There were more chances to come, but with both teams looking unlikely to score, even with the game being billed as a 3, 4 or 5 nil Boro win. On the stroke of 66 minutes, however, Stewart Downing cut in from the right and played the ball infield before it fell to Dong Gook Lee, who turned past one defender then turned onto his right foot to slam a 20-yard shot into the back of the net to score his first ever Boro goal.

5 minutes after the goal Stewart Downing made way for new fan favourite Mido, who received a standing ovation as he came onto the pitch. Boro switched Tuncay to the right and Johnson onto the left, whilst Mido and Lee held the front line before temporary captain was swapped for full time captain as George Boateng replaced Luke Young, who had put in another strong performance with a clearance off the line from an Ian Henderson effort.

Adam Johnson capped his great performance with another superb, right-footed cross, this time to Mido who agonisingly struck the bar with his headed attempt.

Mido continued creating chances into the final minutes and could have had a hat-trick of goals, but saw his angled shot from outside the box saved and a second effort curl just wide. Tuncay was also presented with a late chance but the opportunity seemed too good to be true and, in the end, he took to long over the weak shot that was easily saved by Bunn.

Attendance: 11,686
Boro Blog Man of the Match: Fabio Rochemback


"See 'Yak' Later!"

Boro said "See Ya' Later" to Yakubu, today, as the Nigerian goalscorer was handed a work permit following a successful appeal from Everton, after original applications were denied due to Yakubu opting out of Nigeria's 2006 World Cup campaign to focus on his training for Boro. Meaning that the player did not meet the required number of internationals to automatically qualify for a work permit.

Yakubu joins Everton in a club record fee of £11.25 million after joining Boro just 2 years ago for only £7.5 million. Good news for Boro though as they make a near £4 million profit on Yak and reports suggest that Gareth Southgate will be looking to add some of the money towards bringing in 'big Sam'. No, don't worry Sam Allerdyce isn't making a playing comeback, not at his age and weight, he'll be staying as the Toon Boss for the time being. I am talking about Manchester City's tall, Greek striker Georgios Samaras, who looks set to leave City as Sven has told the player he wont feature in the club plans and that he can look for a new club. Samaras' agent has announced that a number of European clubs have expressed interest in the player, but he wishes to stay in England opening the door for Boro who, as yet, are the only premiership club reported to be interested.

"We are still in negotiations to try and sort something out.

"There is interest from all over Europe in Georgios, but he wants to stay in England."

"Middlesbrough is a big club and we will wait and see what happens."