Manchester penalise Boro with Ronaldo
Monday, 19th March 2007
Attendance: 71,325
Man United 1 Middlesbrough 0
With a semi-final clash against Blackburn up for grabs so a 50/50 chance of a first Cup Final appearance at the new Wembley, the stakes were high for the 'Boro.
The expected early pressure arrived on cue but with Woodgate marshalling his troops to perfection, 'Boro.
The home team's chances were reduced to a fine block by Schwarzer when Rooney was clean through and a Ronaldo effort that clipped the post from an angle that proved to be just too acute.
In reply 'Boro had a Viduka effort that flew wide and a chance for Downing which he flashed high and wide from a threatening position. But it was that man Ronaldo--surely the player- of-the-year in waiting--who had the final say when he outsped Woodgate who just flicked his heel with the resultant penalty award. Ronaldo struck it home nonchalantly.
'Boro were down and out but the game finished on a sour note when Morrison completely lost the plot and had a wild kick at Ronaldo, resulting in the obvious red card. For some reason Rooney felt obliged to get involved and there were harsh words between the two benches as the game drew to a close.
So Man. U. continue in their quest of the treble and Middlesbrough can only now look to get as many points as they can before the end of the season but European qualification looks a forlorn hope.
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