A Brighter Week

BORO 1 - 1 Liverpool

BORO followed last week's 2-1 FA Cup away win at Bristol City with a well deserved and vital 1-1 home draw against giants Liverpool.

Gareth Southgate was delighted last week as he saw his weakened side come from behind to bag a 2-1 away win against Bristol City with goals from top scorer Stewart Downing and a surprisingly cool finish from defender David Wheater.

But yesterday BORO were up against former European Champions Liverpool at the Riverside, a team that have, in fact, failed to win in any of their last 5 visits to the Riverside.

BORO started, as they have in recent weeks, by absorbing the pressure and defending comfortably, despite some early chances when, first, Gerrard saw his angled drive palmed away by Schwarzer, then Sami Hyypia's header flew just over the bar.

Liverpool were, once again, looking uncomfortable at the Riverside and it was BORO who took the lead on 26 minutes. George Boateng, back in the side and wearing the captain armband, took possession on half way before playing the ball to the obvious choice, Stewart Downing, who played a pin-point cross to O'Neil, who then headed the ball across goal where Aliadiere headed the ball back across goal again for George Boateng to follow up and flick it into the net. The perfect way to mark his return to the squad.

Andriy Voronin made a desperate penalty claim early in the second half as he was shrugged over by Robert Huth, but referee Andre Marriner waved away the appeals.

As they usually do, BORO appeared on top against their higher rated opposition and nearly took advantage of some simply awful play from Liverpool as Tuncay turned to find Downing inside the the box and he lashed a powerful left foot shot, which smashed off the inside of the post after Jose Reina managed to get the faintest touch with his fingertips and Gary O'Neil lofted the rebound over the bar.

Liverpool mounted a late comeback in the last twenty minutes of the game and on 71 minutes Fernando Torres took advantage of some sloppy defending and rocketed a 20-yard shot past Mark Schwarzer, yet another contender for 'goal of the season' scored past BORO.

Liverpool then mounted a late charge and Ryan Babel saw his long range drive flash past the BORO goal, but it was not enough to salvage a win and BORO held on for a vital point.

"I am really pleased with the performance we gave." - Gareth Southgate.

Attendance: 33, 035
BORO Blog BORO Man of the Match: Stewart Downing

Photos & Quotes courtesy of BBC Sport (www.bbc.co.uk/sport)