Derby Draw

Middlesbrough 2 - 2 Newcastle United

Boro earned a well deserved 2 - 2 draw with local rivals Newcastle today after twice coming back from a goal down.


Boro started the game quick and sharp, immediately creating early chances, as new boys Jeremie Aliadiere and Mido linked in together superbly.

Just 5 minutes into the game and Newcastle's Steven Carr had to be substituted after he fell victim to what appeared to be a pulled hamstring, he was replaced by Peter Ramage.
Newcastle then turned the game and started creating some chances, though proving fruitless as Obafemi Martins skewed horribly wide and Alan Smith was denied by a superb last minute challenge from in form captain George Boateng.

However, somewhat against the run of play, Newcastle took the lead on 22 minutes as Charles N'Zogbia checked in from the left and launched a superb right foot strike into the top corner, giving Mark Schwarzer no chance.

Just minutes later, Fabio Rochemback picked out home debutant Mido, in the box, who passed Rozehnal and Taylor like they weren't there before rounding stand-in goalie Steve Harper and slotting the ball into the net just in front of the traveling supporters, who he then taunted (below).


Mido's goal injected excitement back into the home crowd who got behind the Boro to spark a late attack in the first half.

Rochemback saw his low drive palmed just wide by Harper, whilst his midfield partner Arca had a shot parried from through a crowded penalty box.

Adding to big Sam Allerdyce's injury concerns, Peter Ramage who replaced injured Steve Carr was stretchered off with a bad knee injury, after a lengthy pause in play.
It was always going to happen and on the stroke of 77 minutes it did, former Boro favourite Mark Viduka fired Newcastle back into the lead, right in front of the away fans. Perhaps respectfully, Viduka did not celebrate the goal as his fellow team mated crowded round to congratulate him.

Boro had a scare late on as Jeremie Aliadiere was knocked unconscious and was out for several minutes, with Boro physio Chris Moseley rushing on to tend to the Frenchman. As with Peter Ramage, earlier, Aliadiere had to be stretchered off to a standing ovation from the home crowd.

Mark Schwazer was having, by far, an uneasy afternoon and kept the home fans on edge as he half-heartedly punched clear a series of crosses and failed to leave his goal line to challenge for the ball and his kicks were equally, if not more so, atrocious; struggling to pick out a red shirt on more than one occasion.

But Boro, once again, equalised within minutes when a series of missed chances and a misplaced cross which found Tuncay, who attempted to deliver the ball back into the box. The ball fell to Arca who drilled a left foot volley past a static Steve Harper, sending the Boro fans wild.

After all of the stoppages from injuries, 5 minutes was added at the end of the game giving both teams a chance to grab the 3 points, but Boro defended strongly and mounted positive counter attacks to secure a well deserved draw.

Attendance: 28,875
Boro Blog Man of the Match: George Boateng
Gareth Southgate's view