Long Winter for Boro’
19 October 2007
Man Utd 4 Middlesbrough 1
It was always going to be difficult with Man U hitting goal scoring form of late and 'Boro losing four off the belt but over recent seasons they have had a good record against the big boys so was there hope?
After a mere three minutes the answer seemed to be a resounding, "No" because the talented Nani had sent a beauty into the top corner. But there was indeed brief hope when within a further three minutes Aliadiere had opened his 'Boro account with a bit of help from Tuncay.
After a brief respite it was soon back to the fight, desperately keeping United at bay at one end whilst sneaking away on the counter at the other. To get to half-time all square would be an achievement but Stewart Downing committed football suicide by failing to clear properly and when the ball landed at the feet of Rooney the outcome was inevitable.
As the home team began to dominate and play with their recently found confidence it really was backs to the wall for long spells and the inevitable happened when the multi-talented Rooney showed great awareness to back-heel the ball into the path of Tevez who finished with aplomb.
The final nail in the proverbial coffin was delivered by the same two players with Rooney's power taking him deep into the 'Boro territory and again finding Tevez whose shot was half stopped by the shell-shocked Schwarzer but spun into the air and over the line.
Every game is now becoming vital and next week's match against the struggling Tottenham could be a turning point or the start of a very long winter.
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