Boro conned by United ref!
Saturday, 10th March 2007
Attendance: 33,308
'Boro 2 Man Utd 2
You can never accuse 'Boro of having any fear of Man Utd, having won five of the previous 12 games, the best record of any Premiership club. However it was never going to be easy and Man. U. started off playing the crisp, decisive, passing game that we have become accustomed to this season. A goal was on the cards and Wayne Rooney duly obliged when he cut in from the left and shot home convincingly.
This gave them even more confidence and they looked very comfortable as they knocked the ball around. But 'Boro were not going to give up without a fight and a good delivery into the box by Downing caused consternation in the visitors' defence, culminating in young Lee Cattermole neatly chesting the ball and swivelling to fire a fine shot home.
Half-time 1-1 and all to play for but there was more in store when immediately after the re-start Boateng made a run and was unmarked when he headed home from a Downing corner, much to the delight of the majority in the packed stadium.
' Boro gave as good as they got until a penalty decision by the ref gave Man Utd the chance to equalise. George Boateng can consider himself a shade unlucky to be penalised for hand ball but he did have both hands up as Ferdinand flicked on a corner. Would 'Boro have got a similar decision at Old Trafford?! Anyway Ronaldo confidently netted the equaliser.
So it is back to Old Trafford on Monday week and if by any chance 'Boro need any more incentive, the semi-final draw pairs the winners of this tie with the outsiders of the last four, namely Watford. So it is a massive chance to be in the first F.A. Cup Final at the new Wembley--if it is in fact ready in time!!
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